County firms in running for rural awards

A BURBAGE consultancy firm is among five Leicestershire business who have reached the finals of the Rural Business Awards.

Jude Read HR are joined by Lutterworth estate agents Wells McFarlane Ltd, who are up in the best rural professional services businesses, Twycross Zoo, nominated for best rural tourism business, and Helen Howe Atelier, in the best rural apparel business category.

The Rural Business Awards is the UK’s only business awards for the rural community.

Jude Read, of Jude ReadHR Consultancy, a finalist in the best rural start-up category, said: “I am delighted to hear that we have been named as one of the finalists in the Rural Business Awards. We are only in our second year of trading and to be recog- nised by such a prestigious national award is exciting and serves as an endorsement of all of the hard work that we have put into the business so far.

“I’d really like to thank all of our customers, suppliers and partner organisations for their ongoing support, it’s because of all of you that we are a success and have been named as one of only 12 finalists for the Best Rural Start-Up award.”

Michelle Mills, Wells McFarlane director, said: “To be named a finalist for an award that specifically acknowledges what we are all about is a tremendous achievement. Our work is a partnership with the farmers and landowners we’re proud to call clients and as a small firm of handpicked professionals accolades like this demonstrate we are certainly punching above our weight and whatever the outcome of the awards, just being part of it will certainly spur us onwards.” The winners will be announced in a ceremony at The Belfry Hotel and Resort on October 13.

Anna Price, joint founder of the Rural Business Awards, said: “We were hugely impressed by the number and calibre of this year’s award entries. Last year, in its inaugural year, the Rural Business Awards showed just how many outstanding businesses there are across rural England, Scotland and Wales and this has been proved once again this year.

“The number of entrants has increased and the standard of entries is even higher than before. Every business that has been named as a finalist has demonstrated excellence in their particular category and to have reached this level in the competition is a testament to this. It is going to be a tough job to name the winners in such a strongly-fought competition.”