Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards 2008 - Record early entries for Thames Valley Business Awards

Record early entries for Thames Valley Business Awards

A record number of companies have signed up to enter in the first few weeks of this year’s Thames Valley Business Awards competition.

The awards, now in their fourteenth year, are recognised as both the longest-standing event of their kind and the leading multi-category award scheme in the region.

Awards chairman, David Murray, said: “We’re delighted to have had such a positive response so early in the entry process. It’s an indication that so many organisations throughout the region understand the value of the awards and the fact they can deliver real bottom line benefits for the winners.

“As people register, we’re seeing a consistent amount of interest across all the categories, although the innovation award is now proving particularly popular among early contenders.

“The Thames Valley has an excellent reputation for innovation, not just in technology, but in a variety of fields and these awards are a great opportunity for companies to show off their latest developments.”

Guest of honour and keynote speaker at the awards evening in November will be the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, former Foreign Secretary and deputy leader of the Labour Party, whose career has spanned more than 30 years at the forefront of British politics.

Appointed chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee by Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier this year, she is also a former President of the Board of Trade – where she presided over the introduction of the national minimum wage, and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

David Murray added: “We are delighted that Margaret Beckett has agreed to join us for our awards evening. With such an interesting and heavyweight political career, she can provide a real snapshot of what goes on at the heart of government and we’re sure she will prove an entertaining and inspiring speaker.”

Comedian Sean Meo will be hosting the awards evening at Reading’s Royal Berkshire Conference Centre on November 20 for the first time.

Acknowledged as one of the finest performers and writers on the UK comedy circuit, he recently completed a UK theatre tour with Lee Hurst and his television work includes They Think It’s All Over, Tonight At The London Palladium and the London Comedy Festival.

This year, there are five categories to choose from in the awards:

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.