Major change boosts 2011 awards

A MAJOR change has been made to the nomination process for the 2011 One Oldham Business Awards.

The Steering Group, under the leadership of Steve Kilroy from BAE Systems, has taken up a suggestion that third parties be allowed to submit companies, organisations and individuals for recognition.

For the previous two years, business leaders and/or their staff have been encouraged to nominate themselves and their businesses, firms, companies and professional practices and partnerships for one of the prestigious Oldham business ‘Oscars’.

June Smith, Oldham Council’s Principal Business Liaison Officer, believes that too many active and successful Oldham organisations are missing out.

She said: “There are a great many success stories out there which are not being recognised, either because the owners or managers are simply too busy to get involved or because they fight shy of publicity.

“These awards are all about recognising all that is good about the Oldham business community. I know from personal experience of visiting companies all over the borough that there are some wonderful examples which are certainly worthy or nomination and, who knows, maybe they will win.

“That is obviously up to the judges but I want to see us build on the success of the last two years and I believe that by allowing customers or clients or even family or maybe consultants and advisers to nominate on behalf of these successful enterprises we can widen the franchise of these awards which for the past two years have shown Oldham in a wonderful light.’

This message was echoed by Mr Kilroy, who is convinced that the awards, now in their third year, can go from strength to strength.

He said: “In our inaugural year we had around 70 nominations in eight categories from nearly 50 businesses. Last year we almost doubled the number of nominations and this from only 70 companies.

“I really believe we can push up the number of nominations, perhaps up to 200, and that more and more companies and businesses should get involved.

“We have seen that there is a wonderful spirit out there in the business community and I am convinced that these awards will go from strength to strength.”

Nominations can be made via the website - www.oldhambusinessawards.co.uk - or by completing a nomination form will which be mailed to 850 companies, businesses, partnerships and practices on the Oldham Council business data base.

Anyone unable to enter either or online or by hard copy can call the Business Desk here at the Oldham Chronicle - 622 2134 - or email martyntorr@oldham-chronicle.co.uk and a form will be sent.



CATEGORIES


ONCE again there will be ten major categories in the 2011 One Oldham Business Awards.

Thanks to the generous support of some of the borough’s major businesses, the awards will conclude with a gala, black tie dinner in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Friday March 18.

Last year the event attracted 450 guests who enjoyed a spectacular evening of food, entertainment and presentations.



This year’s categories are:


Business of the Year (turnover in excess of £5 million) sponsored by NatWest.

Last year’s winner: Emanuel Whittaker Ltd., Royton.


Business of the Year (turnover between £1 million and £5 million) sponsored by Web Applications Ltd. Last year: Team Spirit Ltd., Greenfield



Business of the Year (turnover below £1 million) sponsored by Home Delivery Network Ltd. Last year: The Face and Body Shop, Grotton



Start-Up Business of the Year sponsored by Innovative Technology Ltd.

Last year: Fresca Restaurant, Delph.



Retail Business of the Year, sponsored by Town Centre Partnership. Last year: Mountainfeet, Rhodes Bank.



Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Oldham Sixth Form College. Last year: Anjub Ali, Mirzali Architecture, Westwood.



Innovation and Design Business of the Year, sponsored by BAE Systems. Last year: Synergy Building Services Ltd., Delph.



Environmental Business of the Year, sponsored by Johnson Construction Ltd. Last year: Altern Energy, Royton.



BusinessWoman of the Year, sponsored by TWB Architects. Last year: Angela Wellon, First4Disabilities, Chadderton.



BusinessMan of the Year, sponsored by The Oldham College. Last year: Paul Milner, Positive IT Solutions Ltd., Chadderton.



PLUS:

Knowledge Exchange Award, sponsored by University Campus Oldham and chosen by the Steering Group. Last year: Matt Howarth, Virtual Construction, Failsworth.