Red Rose Awards 2013 shortlists announced!
After two intensive days which saw more than 200 long-listed candidates interviewed by more than 30 expert judges, the shortlists for the Red Rose Awards 2013 have been announced.
The event will take place and the winners crowned on Thursday March 14 in the magnificent Empress Ballroom at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.[cta link=http://redroseawards.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=11765646]BOOK TABLES AND TICKETS[/cta]
Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View magazine, which stages the annual Red Rose Awards, said: “The two days of judging were intense, exciting, difficult and a lot of fun!“Our judges found it extremely hard and were full of praise for all the candidates – we look forward to a great night for Lancashire next month.”
Scroll to the end of the story to read a selection of comments from judges.RED ROSE 2013: SHORTLIST
CREATIVE AGENCY
3ManFactoryDoor4
Fat MediaICG
MotionlabNuBlue
The Write AngleWorkhouse Advertising and Marketing
ONLINE BUSINESS
AccessplanitCopifyiflorist
New Call TelecomRoaming Roosters
Simply Creative SEOThe Ink Squid
FINANCIAL SERVICES
CarepalDanbroHippo Vehicle Solutions
Mayes AccountantsMoore and Smalley
Red Star Wealth ManagementMANUFACTURING
ACDCApeks Marine Equipment
Ellison PrintingPolytank Group
Process Instruments (UK)Real Lancashire Black Pudding Co
VekaWoodscape
LEGAL SERVICES
Farleys SolicitorsHarrison Drury & CoJoseph Frasier Solicitors
NapthensSolicitor Direct
Steele Ford and NewtonVincents
Woodcocks Inc Haworth and NuttallPROPERTY/CONSTRUCTION
Aldrock SurveyorsGlovers Project Services
Lea Hough Chartered SurveyorsMortimers
Petty CS LimitedRed Rose Drylining
Thomas Barnes & SonsUK Restoration Services
RURAL BUSINESS
Brockholes Nature ReserveCanal Boat CruisesDugdales Digital
Flashbang ScienceInnova Solutions
JS AccountancyPolytank Group
Silverwoods Waste ManagementTOURISM/LEISURE
After Dark EntertainmentBacup Borough FC
Brockholes Nature ReserveCanal Boat Cruises
Civic Arts CentreHoliday Inn Preston
Stanley House Hotel and SpaVIVA Blackpool
CARER FRIENDLY
DanbroHalls Food GroupHoliday Inn Preston
Joseph Frasier SolicitorsSpringhill Care Group
RETAIL BUSINESS
Bowker Motor GroupEast Lancashire Hopsice ShopsHalls Food Group
Hillendale Land RoverMillercare
Peter Jackson the JewellerReidys Home of Music
Riley's ButchersSTART-UP BUSINESS
Astute MotoringLoft Leg
Positive footprints NetworkRule Creative
Sato CreativeSmart Audit Limited t/a iSchoolAudit.com
The Ink SquidViva Blackpool
INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
ACDCCN Creativeiflorist
Kirk EnvironmentalMedulla Solutions
Panaz ltdProcess Instruments (UK)
ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT
Andrew PorterEco SolartechExpress Asphalt
Fairport ContainersRemsol Limited
Roaming RoostersSilverwoods Waste Management
VekaENVIROMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
Dext Heat RecoveryEco Solartech
Fairport ContainersKirk Environmental
Loft LegSilverwoods Waste Management
SolarlecNOT-FOR-PROFIT
Affinity Supporting PeopleBlackburn Youth Zone
Brockholes Nature ReserveCertain Curtain Theatre
East Lancashire Hospicen-compass North West
Rock FM and Magic 999s Cash For KidsThe Legacy Rainbow House
COMMITMENT TO SKILLS
Ainscough Training ServicesAndrew PorterBlackburn College
Denwa CommunicationsLantei
Mad ScienceMagma Digital
Springhill Care GroupSMALL BUSINESS
Ashberry RecruitmentHughes CIMA Training
Jagger Talent Commercial RecruitersLumenata Lighting Design
Palmer Publicity ServicesScancapture
Simply ChocoliciousTrainingStation
MEDIUM BUSINESS
Complete Network ServicesConnect TechnologyDenwa Communications
Eco SolartechExact Abacus
Key Stage Teacher SupplyLantei
Real Lancashire Black Pudding CoLARGE BUSINESS
ACDCAndrew Porter
Apeks Marine EquipmentBowker Motor Group
DanbroSpringhill Care Group
The Chorley GroupVeka
FAMILY BUSINESS
Bowker Motor GroupFirst Class ChildcareLantei
NuBlueReidys Home of Music
Roaming RoostersThe Chorley Group
WoodscapeHere are a selection of comments from Red Rose Awards judges:
Janet Shelmerdine, Spire Fylde Coast Hospital: “The standard of entrants was very high and the face to face judging process showed what business talent we have here in Lancashire. It was great to see what passion people have for their business and how they want to show this to a wider audience.”Ruth Connor, Marketing Lancashire: “I was impressed with the passion and ambition of the entrants in wanting to be a recognised Lancashire business success. The underlying Lancashire pride that judges, entrants and organisers promoted throughout the day was testament to the strong business offering we have here in the county.”
Debbie Pettit, Marsden Rawsthorn: “The calibre of businesses we have in Lancashire is extraordinary – it was a privilege to be able to meet with so many of them in the Red Rose Awards judging, the applicants were so outstanding it was an extremely difficult decision to select just one!”Ian Hardman, Yorkshire Bank: “I was privileged to judge three highly competitive categories which truly demonstrated the strength and breadth of the Lancashire business community and the optimism and aspirations that the respective business owners have to better their business, their staff and their local communities."
Mark Schofield, Haworths Accountants: “Seeing so many cracking businesses is exhilarating and challenges me with my own business. It is a most fulfilling experience.”Ian Gordon, Lancaster University Management School: “I was in awe at the quality of the presentations made by the businesses I saw. Clearly everyone had made a great effort and you could feel the pride they had in their businesses. It was heartening in these tough economic times to see example after example of businesses being innovative and achieving success.
“I spend a good deal of my time looking at presentations from some pretty high quality post-graduate students and these business presentations in the Red Rose Awards match and in many cases exceed anything I have seen before.“It was an inspiring day for me as a judge and I feel honoured to have been part of such an entrepreneurial and innovative day.”
Norman Tenray, OBAS UK: “I genuinely enjoy the awards judging and being in such great company. I really appreciate the opportunity to give something back as we have been incredibly well looked after in Lancashire and, as such, I am incredibly proud to be part of such a vibrant, dynamic and entrepreneurial community“It is a huge honour to share in the success and achievements of the Lancashire business community.”
John Stanworth, Barclays Bank: “I was absolutely bowled over at the quality of the entrants. Lancashire really is the place to do business. The diversity and breadth of business skills in the region was very apparent and it was an honour to be asked to judge such high quality and professional applications. Well done to all who entered – it’s a shame there could only be one winner!” Ben Briggs, Farmers Guardian: “A day judging the Red Rose Awards makes you realise just how passionate people are about their businesses and the county of Lancashire. It was a real pleasure to judge and you cannot help but be impressed by the standard of entries. Roll on awards night!”