"Winning a Red Rose Awards enhanced our marketing and increased sales!"

We are delighted to announce that Sundown Solutions is sponsoring the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the Red Rose Awards 2021, the eleventh annual celebration of the Lancashire business community.

With 20 categories open for entries, there’s something for all businesses in Lancashire to aim for. The Red Rose Awards celebrates business through sector specific categories, plus categories open to all such as employer of the year, customer service award and the innovation award.

Sundown Solutions is a digital transformation specialist working with SMEs, blue-chips and government bodies, helping them exploit technology to improve performance.

Kelly-Ann Groves, chief operating officer, Sundown Solutions, explains why the organisation supports the Red Rose Awards, how the event has grown and how it benefits Lancashire’s economy.

RRA: How did Sundown Solutions first get involved with the Red Rose Awards?

KG: In 2018, Sundown Solutions was proud to win the Digital Business of the Year. We then sponsored that category the following year as we like to champion the digital sector in Lancashire, showcasing the many innovative businesses in the region.

RRA: What changes have you seen in the Red Rose Awards over the years that you have been involved?

KG: The awards are a fantastic mirror of the innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Rather than repeat the same format each year, the team introduce categories to reflect the business environment we are all operating in, which is why it's one of the business awards we wanted to win. The judges' panel comprises of your peers, so winning the award is meaningful – you're being given kudos by people who matter.

RRA: What is the most rewarding part of being a sponsor?

KG: You're involved from the get-go – it's very much a partnership approach and not just a case of putting your brand on an award. The most rewarding element of being a Red Rose Awards sponsor is seeing the winner utilise their award to grow their business.

RRA: How do you feel that the Red Rose Awards benefit Lancashire?

KG: The Red Rose Awards shines a spotlight on Lancashire-based talent, and when businesses win awards, it helps them win new contracts and bring money back into our regional economy. It also helps spread the word that Lancashire is a great place to do business.

RRA: How do you feel that your involvement with the Red Rose Awards benefits Sundown Solutions?

KG: The benefits to Sundown Solutions have been numerous. Winning an award helped us increase our brand profile, but we also saw our product sales increase by a third. It also enhanced our marketing power for our flagship product Yellow Bracelet which won the Innovation Award at the 2020 awards.

RRA: Do you have any words of advice for businesses who may be considering entering this year?

KG: Just do it! You've got to be in it to win it, and winning a Red Rose can boost a business in many ways. It's also the best night of the year; partying alongside other fantastic Lancashire-based businesses is an added bonus!

Since the awards were launched in 2011, it has steadily grown and become the centrepiece attraction for the business community.

Businesses interested in entering the awards have until August 20 to submit their entry forms. The finalists will be announced on September 10, and they will then be given the opportunity to put their best case to the judges on September 22 and 23.

The headline sponsors for Red Rose Awards 2021 are Forbes Solicitors and Barclays.

The awards are also sponsored by Azets UK, Cube Thinking, Eventus Recruitment Group, Four Recruitment, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Napthens Solicitors, Porsche Centre Bolton, Sales Geek, Seriun, Two Zero and The University of Central Lancashire. The charity partner is Community Foundation for Lancashire.