Deadline nears for business awards

COMPANIES which are considering entering The Evening Telegraph Business Awards 2012 have little more than two months to apply.

The search is on to reward top Peterborough businesses – but to be in the running, entries must be received by Friday, July 27.

The annual black-tie ceremony and dinner, to be held at the Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground on Friday, November 23, 2012, will be hosted by gold medal winning Olympic rower Tim Foster.

Tim said: “It is always satisfying to see people being rewarded for their successes, particularly in these tough times, and to share in their experience.

“While some businesses may have fallen away in recent times, it is clear that many have also prospered – this is their time to celebrate.

“I would like to pass on my best wishes to the organisers and all concerned for a great occasion.”

Evening Telegraph editor Mark Edwards said: “Our awards night puts the spotlight on the cream of the crop of our businesses and sends out a message to the rest of the country that even in these continuing difficult economic times, Peterborough is a centre of business excellence.”

JOHN

The 2012 categories are Small Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Best Not for Profit Enterprise, Customer Service Award, Business Person of the Year, Environmental Achievement Award, Contribution to the Community Award and People Development Award.

This is the biggest event in Peterborough’s business calendar, with more than 300 guests in attendance, and offers a great opportunity to raise the profile of your business or organisation.

Richard Astle, managing director of Athene Communications, reflect- ed on his company’s win in the Environmental Achievement category in last year’s awards when he said: “Here at Athene Communications, we feel it’s important to conduct our business in manner that’s beneficial to the environment and the wider community.

“That’s part of the way we do business. Winning the environmental award last was brilliant because of the recognition of our efforts in this field, the award has spurred us on to develop even greener working practices and we’ll definitely be entering this category again in 2012.”

On winning the Contribution to the Community award, Melinda Fairfax, head of marketing at March-based CUB, said: “It has given staff a great deal of confidence knowing that they have made a real difference to the community. It has set an example to other businesses.”

Tracy Venner, operations manager John Lewis Peterborough, on winning the Customer Care Plus award, said: “As partners in a coowned business, high standards of customer service are at the heart of everything we do.

“Taking time to make sure we deliver the right shopping experience to customers is key to ensuring we maintain our customers’ trust and loyalty.

“Our partners were very proud to receive this level of recognition in the year that John Lewis Peterborough celebrates its 30th birthday.”

Of this year’s awards, Bill Agnew will chair the judging panel, which will also include Chris Collier, Colleen Gostick, Anne Corder, Peter Jackson, Tony Barker, Iain Crighton and Rachel Huxley.

In addition, the awards organisers are keen to attract sponsors for the event, in addition to the headline sponsor, Peterborough Regional College, and category sponsors Peterborough Regional College, CIPD and Bulley Davey.

Entry forms are available by contacting Linda Pritchard or Sarah Beal on 01733 588789 or Linda.pritchard@jpress.co.uk or Sarah.beal@ jpress.co.uk

For sponsorship of categories, contact Linda or Sarah as above.