.
Awards deadline has been extended
Thursday, September 1st, 2011

The deadline for the Western Morning News business Awards has now been moved to September 30 to allow entrants more time to put their submissions together.

Entries have been coming in since the awards opened for nominations last month, but several businesses have asked for more time because of the holiday season.

The awards will be held on November 17, during celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week at St Mellion International.

While the sustained economic downturn has meant that the region’s businesses have endured a tough couple of years, the Westcountry remains the base for a number of innovative firms of all sizes.

WMN editor Alan Qualtrough said: “We want these awards to highlight the achievements of businesses across the South West whose hard work and talent is helping to move the UK out of recession. Now, more than ever, it is important to stand back and praise the world-class companies that we have here in the Westcountry.”

There will be 14 categories. These are: Business of the Year; Small Business of the Year; Customer Service Award; Employer of the Year; Excellence in Marketing Award; Best Tourism or Hospitality Business; Green Achievement Award; Best Creative Award; Best Business Support Through Mentoring or Education; Innovation of the Year; Best Business Start Up; Lifetime Achievement Award; Young Businessperson of the Year; Best Not For Profit Enterprise.

Nominations can be made online at www.wmnbusinessawards.co.uk.

Companies based in the WMN circulation area of Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset and Dorset are eligible to enter the awards.

Overall sponsor for the event is South West Water with category sponsors already announced including: First Great Western; Coutts and Viridor.

This week, further category sponsors have signed up to the event. Plymouth University has confirmed that it will be sponsoring two categories – Best Start Up and Innovation of the Year.

Professor Julian Beer, director of research and innovation, and pro vice chancellor for enterprise, said: “Recognising and celebrating success is fundamental to the process of developing an innovative and diverse economy; so the university is delighted to be sponsoring Western Morning News’ Business Awards.

“We firmly believe in an enterprise agenda, which is founded on the principles of partnership and knowledge exchange, and it is great to see that the region is taking real strides to support key strategic emerging sectors, such as marine renewables, and nurture its many SMEs.”

And investment management firm Brewin Dolphin are sponsoring the Best Tourism or Hospitality Business award.

Brian James, head of Brewin Dolphin’s Plymouth office, said “Brewin Dolphin is delighted to be sponsoring the Tourism and Hospitality Award in the WMN’s 2011 Business Awards.

“At Brewin Dolphin in Plymouth, we feel it’s important to recognise the achievements of businesses in our area. Tourism plays such a significant part of life in the Westcountry and we want to celebrate and reward the successes of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall which are such fantastic places to live and to visit.”

Nominations to have arrived so far include submissions from: Helston-based ethical clothing company Frugi; Kingsbridge and Honiton bed and sofa business Peter Betteridge; Porthleven-based design firm Boex and Plymouth-based charity Groundwork South West.

One category which has emerged as particularly competitive is the Young Businessperson of the Year Award.

Four strong contenders have already emerged – Mathew Conridge, from Exeter-based retail firm Mamka; Antony Best from Falmouth-based Eddie Jewell Acoustics, Chris Yandell, from Kingsbridge-based The Oyster Shack and Miles Noble, from Plymouth-based Altitude Design.

All have already displayed business acumen beyond their years, achieving excellent results in their chosen fields, despite their youth.

To find out more, log onto www.wmnbusinessawards.co. uk. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For further information, email Paul Newman at pnewman@swmg.co.uk.