THE search is underway to celebrate some of the North-east’s most successful entrepreneurs as the registration date for entries to this year’s Grampian Awards for Business Excellence closes in just ten days.
Companies across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are being invited to enter the prestigious awards, which recognise and reward the hard work of entrepreneurial businesses and individuals in the region.
The awards, organised by Enterprise North East Trust and sponsored by RBS, are in their 14th year.
One of the most high profile categories in the annual awards is the Entrepreneur of the Year, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their company, industry sector and the wider economy.
Previous winners include Alfie Cheyne from Ace Winches, Ciaran Dreelan from Aker Qserv, Roy MacGregor from GE Group and Alf Gordon from Unity Contract Finance.
Each year, the winner is entered into the Enterprise North East Trust Hall of Fame and last year’s portrait of Alf Gordon, captured by Tricia Malley Ross Gillespie of Broad Daylight, has just been unveiled.
Mr Gordon said: “As the oil and gas capital of Europe, this prestigious award is recognised further afield than Grampian and I have received acknowledgment from a truly international arena, from China, USA, Middle East and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Asia.
“Winning the award last year demonstrated that the North-east has a second industry, delivering financial services where innovation is at its core.”
Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust (ENET), said: “The awards are a true celebration of businesses and entrepreneurs in the North-east and there are so many fantastic success stories in our region which deserve to be showcased.
“Behind every great business you will find a passionate individual and the Entrepreneur of the Year award highlights those who have demonstrated great leadership skills to drive a business and team to success.
“It is a great accolade to be named Entrepreneur of the Year and we are encouraging potential finalists to come forward.”
The registration deadline for the awards is next Friday (22 February) and once companies have noted their interest they will receive the relevant application form which must be completed by 1 March.
Enterprises of all sizes in Aberdeen city and across Aberdeenshire can enter one or more of the ten categories.
- Most Promising New Business – sponsored by Business Gateway
- Business success under three years sponsored (businesses that have been trading for under three years at deadline for applications) – sponsored by RBS
- Business Success over three years (businesses that have been trading for over three years at deadline for applications) – sponsored by RBS
- The Grampian Award for Innovation
- The ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award
- The Alick Buchanan-Smith Enterprising Communities Award – sponsored by Aberdeenshire Council.
- Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Optima
- Employer of the Year – sponsored by Aberdeen City Council
- Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year – sponsored by FSB
- Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by RBS
The ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award is a new category in this year’s awards aimed at recognising an individual or group that has overcome significant challenges to establish their business.
The Alick Buchanan-Smith Enterprising Communities Award is presented to an organisation that recognises the importance of giving back and brings benefit to the community it operates within. This is awarded in memory of the former MP for Kincardine & Deeside, the late Alick Buchanan-Smith.
Registration forms can be completed online before 22 February at www.grampianawards.com to receive an application form. The deadline for applications is Friday 1 March 2013.
The black tie awards ceremony will be held at Mercure Ardoe House Hotel on Thursday 27 June 2013.
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