The core focus of The National Business Awards’ 2009 campaign reflects
the drive to help UK businesses build and restore consumer confidence
through recognition. And, to further shape its commitment to public and
private organisations The Awards also announced the launch of its
inaugural Northern Ireland programme.
The decision to open The National Business Awards to Northern Ireland
is a result of the programme’s continuous growth since its inception in
2002 as well as a clear response to market demand. The expansion will
allow for public and private organisations across England, Scotland and
Wales to benchmark their performance against peers and competitors
registered in Northern Ireland for the first time this year.
Mike Faulkner, Group Director, The National Business Awards, said: “In
the current economic climate there has never been such a heightened
need to instil confidence in consumers. There is no better way for a
business to send a positive message to its customers than gaining
recognition in The National Business Awards. We expect 2009 to be a
bumper year for entries and look forward to a robust and hard fought
contest”.
To reflect a more cohesive approach, The National Business Awards has
also realigned its 2009 UK regions as follows: North of England and
Northern Ireland; Wales, Midlands & East Anglia; and The South of
England. The National Business Awards for Scotland continues as a
national offering with its independent gala dinner and awards ceremony
in July.
Made up of eight categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on
6th May 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person
before an independent, expert judging panel in June, including Business Matters Managing Editor Richard Alvin. Winners will be
unveiled at glittering gala award dinners throughout July. Scotland and
regional winners will then advance to The National Business Awards
finals competing with public and private organisations from all over
the country culminating in The National Business Awards gala dinner in
November.
Commenting on The Awards, Paul Tollet, Vice President Business, Orange
UK, said: “Orange is proud to be sponsoring The National Business
Awards for an eighth consecutive year and recognising the resilience
and adaptability of British business. In spite of this difficult
economic climate, those organisations that are truly exceptional will
buck the market trends and remain successful”.
In order to make entering The Awards as straight forward as possible,
new for 2009, is the ability to complete the entries entirely
digitally. This year will also see a significant shift in The National
Business Awards digital strategy starting the New Year with a re-launch
of its website. The shift will allow entrants to register and complete
their entry forms online www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals to
make an efficient entry process for organisations in today’s busy
marketplace. The Awards closing date for registration of entries is Tuesday 7th April 2009.
Allowing the best of British businesses to showcase their achievements
and benchmark their successes against organisations of all types, the
combined turnover of entrants in last year’s National programme equated
to a staggering £1,261bn, with profits of £84bn, while it represented
more than 4.5 million UK employees.
Describing the importance of The Awards in 2008 Lord Mandelson, The
Secretary of State for Business said: “Awards such as The National
Business Awards are a great confidence builder. Showcasing some of the
UK’s top businesses, they help us recognise the real wealth of talent
we have in this country.”
To obtain further information or to enter the 2009 programme visit nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals
