Early entries are pouring in already for this year’s prestigious Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards.
Interviews on BBC Radio Oxford by awards chairman David Murray and Gill Crowther, the director of human resources at Nominet, last year’s winner of The Best Place To Work, prompted a raft of entries from the Oxford side of the Thames Valley.
And a number of companies in and around Newbury were keen to enter after hearing an interview on Newbury Sound radio with Shawn Khorassani, managing director of Prestige Network in Thatcham, which has achieved second and third places over the last two years.
Further coverage online and in regional weekly papers has also boosted support but, with the closing date of September 30 less than 12 weeks away, awards chairman David Murray is encouraging businesses to mark the date on their calendar.
“We’ve had a terrific response already, which is extremely gratifying and sets the scene for a fantastic awards evening in November,” said Murray. “It’s very easy however to think there’s plenty of time before you need to complete the form, but in the peak of the holiday period, the weeks just fly by.
“We want as many companies to visit our website and register to enter now, then we’ll keep your details on file and will contact you nearer the time as a gentle reminder that you need to complete the entry form.”
The evening promises to be a glittering affair, with former Liberal Democrat leader the Rt Hon Lord Paddy Ashdown as guest of honour and speaker.
In recent weeks, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East has stepped forward to confirm its sponsorship for 2010 and is keen to attract entrants who see international markets as a platform for their success.
The SME of the Year, won in 2009 by Eynsham-based Maylarch Environmental is sponsored for the first time this year by leading accountants and business advisers James Cowper.
Entering its second year as a sponsor is commercial property specialist Vail Williams which this year is looking for The Best Company to Work For.
Last year, two companies – BaxterStorey and Azzurri Communications – split the title of
The Dynamic Business Award, sponsored by Deloitte, while searching for The Business of the Year is top law firm Pitmans, whose team is keen to see plenty of entries challenging Maidenhead company SDL for the title it has already won twice.
Looking to reward the top team behind a successful company is The Royal Bank of Scotland, sponsor of The Business Management Team category, won last year by Peros from High Wycombe.
The full list of awards is:
The Business Management Team Award – sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland
The Dynamic Business Award – sponsored by Deloitte
The Thames Valley Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Pitmans
The Best Company to Work For – sponsored by Vail Williams
SME of the Year Award – sponsored by James Cowper
The Thames Valley Export Award – sponsored by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East
Enter online at www.businessawards.co.uk or email alison@straightpr.co.uk for further information. The closing date is September 30.