Awards hopefuls set for big night

One Oldham Business Awards

NOMINATIONS for the fourth One Oldham Business Awards are beginning to flow into the system.

These are Nicola Jeffery-Sykes, managing director of Claridata, Uppermill; Ian Sutcliffe, from IMC Brickwork, Oldham; Thomas Yates and Phil Kelly, of Purple Giraffe, Higginshaw and Jahed Miah, of Web Studios (UK), Westwood.

As the first four entries for the 2012 awards process, they will receive a complimentary copy of a top-selling book which promises to change the way you feel and think (see review below).

Mr Sutcliffe, who set up his brickwork contracting business in June, last year, said: “We are a local business working in and around Oldham.

“We are special brickwork contractors and there is definitely a gap in the market for a small-to-medium-sized contractor offering quality service.”

He has entered the Start-Up Business of the Year category, sponsored by Innovative Technology.

Nicola Jeffery-Sykes set up her business in 2000 following the acquisition of of National Health Service dataset provider Blackwell Masters to provide detailed vocational information to healthcare professionals throughout the European Union.

Claridata are looking to be named Business of the Year (turnover up to £1million) sponsored Trinity Mirror.

Thomas Yates and Phil Kelly established Purple Giraffe to help local businesses with affordable solutions for website and social-media needs.

They also help establish the impressive Oldham Business Network, an online platform supporting local businesses — 580 have registered — and their target is 1,000 plus.

Jahed Miah, a finalist in 2009, has entered the Young Entrepreneur of the year category.

Jahed is the operations manager of the web-solution business he founded — as Web Fusion Studios — in 2008.

The pair and Jahed are looking to be named Young Entrepreneur of the year in the category sponsored by The Oldham College.

Entry for the awards is via the www.oldhambusinessawards.co.uk/ website and entry could not be simpler.

Three finalists will be chosen by the sponsor judges to receive a pair of tickets for the gala presentation dinner at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Friday March 2, 2012.

This earliest ever date for the biggest night of the year on the Oldham business calendar, due to the booking demands on Oldham’s civic hall, means the deadline for entries is the last day of January.

Companies, organisations and individuals looking to enter are urged to do so soon.

Last year the black-tie dinner attracted 460 sponsors, guests and finalists for a spectacular evening of fine food.

The White Hart, Lydgate, won the catering contract — entertainment and, of course, the stunning Oscars-style awards ceremony.

Each of the finalists will be featured in an exclusive DVD shown on a giant screen at the finals — all part of glitzy evening of which any business or business person in Oldham can be a part.

It’s free to enter — just complete the online form.