News
Business Boost 2011 Winners revealed!
30th September 2011
The Business Boost 2011 Winners and Finalists
Click here for a full list of the winners
Attended by key leaders of industry, commerce and the local authority, the annual Newcastle Business Boost Awards attracted a record number of Newcastle businesses who joined together to celebrate entrepreneurship in the borough.
The Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Trevor Hambleton presented the awards, congratulated all the businesses on their achievement and spoke of the opportunities for growth in the Borough.
Inspirational guest speaker Colin Bell, Enterprise and Growth Director at Stafford based Winning Moves, described his experience of developing systems and business help packages which are exported around the world. He spoke of the need for constant innovation and the importance of remaining true to a vision, even through challenging times.
In the Impact on the Borough category, Appointments Personnel, a specialist recruitment company, won first prize and a cheque for £1,500 which will be invested in providing more CV, interview and confidence building workshops to help clients to return to work or gain their dream position.
AMB Insurance Services Ltd scooped first prize in the Progression Through People category and a cheque for £1,500. The company offers personalised and client oriented insurance services and are looking to invest the prize in staff education and training.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit category was won by Systatic Ltd., a web application development and IT Support Company. They have recently launched an online productivity suit aimed at SMEs. The £1,500 prize will be used to produce marketing materials for promoting the company at forthcoming trade shows.
The discretionary judge’s cash prize of £1,000 for ‘an innovative business that fires the imagination’ went to Eduscope Consultancy Ltd. who provide support to schools and families in whole child development aimed at empowering students to take advantage of wider learning opportunities.
Optimise Automotive scooped the Realise Foundation Apprenticeship Award worth £5,500 which fully funds the cost of an apprentice for one year. Training in the wide range of skills required to refurbish, enhance and customise car interiors will be given to a fortunate recruit who will be supported by PM Training.
Companies awarded highly commended and other prizes including business development support were Brampton Recruitment Ltd, DK Design, The Gold Disc.com Ltd, Partners in Creative Learning and Vekta Composites Ltd.
Local Firms Scoop Awards for Firing the Imagination
22nd October 2010
Twelve local businesses receive accolade for demonstrating passion and drive at a glittering awards ceremony held at the prestigious Newcastle-under-Lyme College on Thursday 21 October.
Click here for a full list of the winners
Attended by leading figures of industry, the annual Business Boost Awards, attracted a record number of Newcastle businesses who joined together to celebrate entrepreneurship in the borough.
Inspirational guest speaker Robert Price, who built a multi-million pound business empire that includes SphereMania.com, shared his experience and passion for developing a thriving international business. Robert spoke about how he, like most entrepreneurs has experienced failure as well as success and that with passion and belief it is possible to bounce back. He said that running an honest and ethical business will always reap its rewards.
Phill Dann, deputy chairman of finest and senior partner at Dean Statham was MC for the prize-giving evening.
Bryan Carnes MBE, chief executive of North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry presenting the awards said: “This is the second time I have been invited to present at the Business Boost Awards and it gives me great pleasure to see so many types of businesses represented here tonight. As we face tough times, it is good to see that local enterprising businesses continue to push forward with the passion to succeed. They are the future and we wish them every success.”
In the Micro Business category, Rydale Roofing Ltd wins first prize and a cheque for £2,000 to help the business expand into fitting tile size photovoltaic cells for domestic and industrial feed-in tariffs. The caravan recycling firm KTG Caravans and Campers wins second prize and a cheque for £1,250 to go towards expansion into caravan maintenance. Third prize of £750 goes to Home Instead Senior Care who provides home care to adults aged 18 plus. They will use the prize money to fund specialised training for their staff.
Peak Pursuits Ltd scoops first prize in the Small Business category and a cheque for £2,000. The company offers adventure experiences that develop young people and adults and are looking to invest the cash prize in a new climbing wall and the set-up of an awards scheme. Practice Care Maintenance Services (PCMS) picks up second prize and a cheque for £1,250. PCMS offers conditional monitoring service and analysis for the nuclear, mining, rail and shipping industries. Third prize goes to Academy Photography who provides an innovative service for schools in the area.
The discretionary judge’s cash prize of £1,000 for ‘an innovative business that fires the imagination’ goes to Jan Constantine Ltd. Jan designs and supplies branded hand embroidered cushions and has amongst her clients prestigious names such as Harrods and the 2012 Olympic games.
Home Instead Senior Care scoops the Realise Foundation Apprenticeship Award worth £5,500 presented by Dan Canavan of PM Training.
Companies highly commended are Aqua Plumbing and Heating, AdGifts Oline Ltd, Nviro Insurance and Risk Management Ltd, Omnium IT Recruitment, Phoenix Renewable, each receiving an all-in-one printer provided by Johnsons Photopia.
Bernard Lovatt, entrepreneur and chair of Business Boost said: “The Business Boost Competition recognises ambition and rewards businesses that want to move forward. Since its inception in 2007, the awards have helped more than 30 local companies. I’m pleased to say that they continue to be successful today. The Business Boost Competition is entirely funded through sponsorship and in-kind contributions. I invite local organisations to support us in helping more businesses succeed.”
The competition has attracted sponsorship from major organisations including Aspire Housing, Newcastle Borough Council, Keele University Science and Business Park, Renew North Staffordshire, Newcastle Chamber of Trade, and the Realise Foundation.
Through Business Boost, participants are encouraged to develop entrepreneurship and strategic thinking underpinned by sound business planning. Successful applicants are invited to submit a business plan and give a 15-minute presentation. Finalists are selected and the winners are announced at the Awards evening.
Business Boost 2010 is Open for Entries
7th June 2010
The Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Boost Competition launches its 2010 campaign for entries.
Businesses will be competing for cash awards under the following categories: Micro Business, Small Business, and Medium Business Awards. First prize winners receive £2,000 while second prize winners receive £1,000. In addition, the discretionary Judges Special Award of £1,000 is awarded to the most innovative business that fires the imagination.
Deb Hulse, first prize winner from Thyme to Cook said: “I couldn’t believe I won a Business Boost Award. The Sentinel did an interview with me soon after and that brought in a lot of people into the shop congratulating me.”
“I put the £2,000 cash towards a new e-commerce website. Now my customers are buying on-line at their own convenience anytime, anywhere.”
A new category in 2010 is the Realise Foundation Apprenticeship Award. Worth £6,000, the award provides a 12-months day-release apprenticeship placement with all associated costs paid for by the Realise Foundation, which includes recruitment, training and an apprenticeship allowance of £95 per week.
“It has been very tough on business over the last few years, but despite this, Business Boost has been able to uncover many examples of business leadership and entrepreneurship” said Bernard Lovatt, chair of Business Boost Competition. “The cash awards go some way in helping to boost business growth plans, but businesses have to compete hard to win an award.”
The awards have attracted large sponsorships from local organisations such as Business Link, Aspire Housing, Keele University Science and Business Park, Renew North Staffordshire, and the Realise Foundation.
Through Business Boost, participants are encouraged to develop entrepreneurship and strategic thinking underpinned by sound business planning that can drive their business forward. Successful applications for the awards are invited to submit a business plan and give a 15 minute presentation.
Val Mackenzie, Business Development Manager of ELITE CIC Ltd, Winner 2009 said: “Before applying for Business Boost, we were just getting on with everyday demands of the business. Having to present a business plan made us stop and think where we can go from here.”
The Business Boost Competition is open to small and medium size businesses with less than 250 employees. The business must have a Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough post code, must not be a subsidiary of a larger organisation, and must be trading at the second stage of the competition.
Submission deadline is 5.00pm on Friday 30th July 2010. Apply online.
Business Boost Partnership Highly Commended
10th Nov 2009
At a glittering awards ceremony held at Birmingham’s Millennium Point, Bernard Lovatt, chair of Business Boost Competition accepted on behalf of the partnership, a Highly Commended Award in the Best Regeneration Team category.
The award presented by Adrian Passmore, chief executive of Regen WM, was in recognition of sterling work by the organising committee of the Business Awards.
The Business Boost Competition was launched in 2008. The competition encourages enterprise in Newcastle-under- Lyme with the aim of creating jobs and increasing wealth.
Business Boost 2009 Winners Announced
21st October 2009
The second annual awards ceremony of the Newcastle under Lyme Business Boost Competition was hosted in the prestigious Council Chamber of Newcastle Borough Council.
Angela Maxwell of Acuwomen representing Advantage West Midlands gave the opening address.
First prize of £2000 for each category were presented to Thyme to Cook for Impact of the Business on the Borough, Acorn Training Ltd for Entrepreneurial Spirit and E.L.I.T.E. CIC Ltd for Progress through People.
Second prizes of £500 were awarded to Serve Medical for Impact of the business on the Borough, Swift Engergy Ltd for Entrepreneurial Spirit and Blackfriars School Shop for Progress through People.
The Judges Discretionary Award of £1,000 for an innovative business that fired the imagination was presented to Mehmet Barbers.
At the close of the ceremony, Bernard Lovatt, chair of the organising committee thanked the judges, sponsors and entrants for their valued contribution to the competition.