Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards 2008 - Entries sought for top regional business awards

Entries sought for top regional business awards

Berkshire firms are being encouraged to take up the challenge with the launch of the prestigious Thames Valley Business Awards 2008.

Backed by blue chip names such as The Royal Bank of Scotland and Deloitte, the awards are now in their fourteenth year and competition promises to be as tough as ever, as the region’s successful companies and business brains vie for top honours.

Previous winners have included companies both large and small, from giants such as Sun Microsystems, Yell Group and O2 (UK) to niche players including Beacon Graphics and Thatcham’s Intelligent Retail.

This year, keynote speaker and former Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, will be handing out the awards, when winners are announced at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium, Reading on November 20.

Awards chairman, David Murray, said: “We all know that 2008 is proving to be a more challenging year on the business front, but we believe this is even more reason to gain independent and expert endorsement of the fantastic job being achieved every day by firms across the region.

“Our previous winners will tell you that winning one of these awards can make a tremendous difference to your company’s reputation. There is no better way to say to your customers – and to your employees – that you have been recognised as the best in the field by your peers.

“Very often, that translates into increased order books, in helping to recruit new staff and, above all, is wonderful for staff morale, so we would encourage as many businesses as possible to enter and join us for a superb night with the cream of the business community. And you might just go home with a trophy.”

A total of five awards are up for grabs this year, with one new category – the International Trade Award – sponsored by Windsor-based specialist financial services company HiFX, recognising the sterling work undertaken by many local businesses in keeping the UK flag flying in overseas markets.

The categories are:

The Business Management Team Award – sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland

The Innovation Award – sponsored by Slough Trading Estate

The Dynamic Business Award – sponsored by Deloitte

The Thames Valley Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Pitmans

The International Trade Award – sponsored by HiFX

Entry forms are available online from www.businessawards.co.uk or email laura@elcot.co.uk for more information. The closing date is Friday, September 26.