Pendle Business Awards to celebrate world-leading companies

Pendle companies are now starting to submit their entries to Pendle Business Awards 2014.

The entry form will be live until Friday February 21 on www.pendle.gov.uk/businessawards

Dennis Mendoros, chairman of Pendle Vision which is organising the awards jointly with Pendle Council, said: “We’ve already started receiving some excellent entries which is really exciting for the team organising the event. There are still a number of weeks to enter but don’t leave it until the last minute. We want you to be part of our celebration of the borough’s world-leading and innovative local companies.”

Now in its fourth year Pendle Business Awards has become a popular event in the borough’s business calendar. And in 2014 there are 340 places for local business and dignitaries.

Nelson-based Businesswise Solutions won the New Business of the Year Award in 2012, marking a milestone in the company’s early success story. The cost reduction and procurement management business was set up in April 2010 when directors Frazer Durris and Dean Cockett spotted a gap in the market.

Businesswise Solutions offers expertise, independent advice and access to the best suppliers in the UK for business essential spend areas.

Frazer said: “We set up during tough economic times, without bank funding and without any savings or investment to see the company through the first few tough months. Yet, despite the odds being against us we have enjoyed impressive profits year on year, without reliance on external funding and healthy reserves exist to ensure future growth can continue to be funded.

“Putting ourselves up for an award was nerve-wracking, as while we had enjoyed a string of successes we felt worthy of recognition we could only hope that the judges would think the same.”

They needn’t have worried, as the judges were hugely impressed with their business model, its wealth of clients and commitment to employing staff from the local area, so much so, they gave them the winning vote.

Dean added: “While we have clients UK-wide, we are fiercely proud of Pendle, where we both live and work, so to win an award here was fantastic. It opened up a whole new network of clients to us, both on the awards night and after and our business has continued to go from strength to strength from this point onwards.”

Last year, Businesswise began to expand upon its existing business model in order to facilitate future growth and access new areas, with energy procurement, cost reduction and auditing being the key focus areas for 2014.

Frazer said: “We’ve come a long way since the Pendle Business Awards two years ago and we hope to join fellow local businesses in celebrating Pendle yet again this year.”

This year the Awards’ judges will shortlist entries in early March and visit the successful businesses in March/April so entrants can present their case for winning an award.

Those shortlisted will join a select group of Pendle’s most successful businesses.

They will be invited to attend a dinner, at the Dunkenhalgh Mercure Hotel in Clayton Le Moors on Friday May 16th.

On the night award sponsors will announce the winners and present trophies in a glittering ceremony.

This will be organised by event management company Gregory AV which won the contract to co-ordinate the evening.

Winners will receive a Pendle - an elegant glass and metal sculpture inspired by Pendle Hill, engraved with their name and the award category. And all shortlisted businesses will receive a framed certificate.

Councillor Joe Cooney, leader of Pendle Council, said: “Each year our events have continued to grow and we’re delighted to showcase the best of Pendle’s businesses again. Our involvement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our business community and our desire to recognise outstanding achievements.”

Categories

1. Pendle Business Person of the Year

2. Pendle Employer of the Year

3. Pendle Business Technology & Innovation of the Year

4. Pendle Most Outstanding Business of the Year – medium/large 51+

5. Pendle Most Outstanding Business of the Year – small 11-50

6. Pendle Most Outstanding Business of the Year – micro 1-10

7. Pendle New Business of the Year (operating 0-2yrs)

8. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (person under 30yrs)

9. Pendle Apprentice Employer of the Year

10. Pendle Manufacturer of the Year

Timeline

10th January Entries open

21st February Entries close

End February Judges shortlist businesses

End February Tickets on sale

Early March Shortlist announced

March/April Judges visit shortlisted businesses 16th May Pendle Business Awards