Get involved with our great awards
THE North East Cheshire Business Awards celebrate the best in business across Macclesfield and East Cheshire, and take place for the sixth time in November.
This year there are 11 categories open to the region’s businesses, with entries welcome from all businesses regardless of size – you just have to get your nominations in before the deadline of September 30.
As part of our coverage of the area’s biggest celebration of local enterprise, the Express is intro- ducing the category sponsors each week to see why they are supporting the event.
This week we talk to the organiser of the awards Sue Bowden.
Sue has run Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce for almost 19 years, where she has worked on every aspect of the business and seen huge changes, especially in the level of funded services to help businesses.
We asked her a few key questions:
What are your qualifications and previous experience?
Before joining the Chamber my working life centred around advertising and marketing agencies, having worked for J Walter Thomson, BCMB and McCann Erikson as it was then.
Which award are you sponsoring?
The Chamber are spon- soring the Start Up Business of the Year Award because it’s an area we know so well, having helped hundreds of potential start ups over the years and seen them go on to run successful and sustainable businesses.
Why have you got involved with the business awards?
Through our network of members we are able to significantly raise awareness of the Business Awards to the business community and have been involved since they were spearheaded by NatWest in 2011. Initially we were a partner but for the third year now we handle all the administration and organisation of the awards – so if you’re in touch with the Awards Team, it is undoubtedly either myself or one of my team at the Chamber you are talking to.
Why did you choose to sponsor that particular award?
It’s a natural for us – individuals wanting to start their own business need to wear so many hats and take on so many elements of business they perhaps hadn’t thought of, and we can guide and help them through that process and signpost them to specialist knowledge.
Why is North East Cheshire such a great place to do business?
It is a fantastic area to both live and work, an international airport and city on our doorstep, and beautiful countryside only minutes away. And a vibrant and thriving business community with a fantastic entrepreneurial spirit running through its heart, producing an incredibly successful and diverse economy.
What is your best piece of business advice?
Join the Chamber of course – use us to promote and market your business, come to us for help and advice – we’re here to support your business.
Anything else you would like to add?
Get involved with our Business Awards – they are a fantastic celebration of local business success – with eleven categories to choose from, there is something for every business, whatever size or sector. The Gala Dinner on 17 November at The Mere is probably the biggest business event in North East Cheshire and definitely one NOT to miss, whether you have entered an award or not.