This year’s Sussex Business Awards 2008/09 was launched in style at Stanmer House by the award’s creators and organisers Priory PR & Events [8 May].
Sussex’s most prestigious and well-known business event this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its continued popularity was evident from its sell-out launch event.
Robin Fegan, business awards director at Priory PR & Events, said: “As this year represents a special anniversary for the awards we were even more delighted to see so many business people from across the region turn out to hear how they can benefit from entering the awards, and of course enjoy the event’s fine wine, stunning venue and good company.”
The launch, hosted by ITV Meridian presenter Aisling McVeigh, provided an opportunity to hear inspirational stories from previous award-winners, outlining the benefits of winning from those who know best.
This is an exciting time for Sussex businesses to turn the spotlight back on themselves and explore what it is that makes them stand out from the crowd. Sussex Company of the Year judge Neil Harris of Deloitte reiterated this point.
Neil said: “Sussex Business Awards is a fantastic opportunity for businesses of all sizes and sectors to shine. The range of businesses who enter the awards highlights the strength and diversity of the business skills in our region.”
Simon Konecki, managing director of Life Pure Water and winner of Best New Business Award 2007/08 commented on the benefits of winning last year.
Simon said: “As a Sussex business, winning the Best New Business Award has really enabled us to raise our profile locally, with various businesses now choosing to stock Life Water over other imported and non-charity bottled waters. We believe the Award will further our presence in Sussex and nationally throughout 2008.“
This success is not short lived, as experienced by the team at Nido Marketing. Jacky Misson, founder & director of innovation at Nido Marketing Ltd said: “People still ask us about our win at the Sussex Business Awards, which was three years ago now, so we’re delighted with the continued recognition the awards have brought us!
“We had a fabulous time at the launch for 2008/09, which as always, was a super event, enabling us to make new and exciting contacts from the Sussex business community.”
With awards for all-round excellence as well as for businesses demonstrating special strengths in areas such as innovation, customer service, manufacturing and environmental affairs, there is an award to suit every kind of leading company.
The award categories for 2008/09 are:
Sussex Business Awards 2008/09
Award Sponsor
· Sussex Company of the Year - For the most outstanding business in the region, sponsored by Deloitte
· Sussex Business Person of the Year - For outstanding achievement by an individual, sponsored by Southern FM
· Small Business Award - For the best business with up to 25 employees, sponsored by EDF Energy
· Employment Solutions Award - For the business most positive about developing disabled and disadvantaged people, sponsored by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI)
· New Business of the Year - For the best new business in Sussex, sponsored by The Argus
· Customer Service Award - For the business most successfully demonstrating quality customer service, sponsored by Southern
· University Enterprise Award - For the most successful collaboration between a business and a university or higher educational establishment in Sussex, sponsored by University of Brighton
· Entrepreneur of the Year - For the Sussex business person who has shown the most outstanding enterprise, sponsored by Sussex Enterprise
· International Business Award - For the best Sussex business trading abroad, sponsored by Emirates
· Learning Pays! - The award for outstanding achievement by a Sussex business in developing its workforce, sponsored by Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
· Sustainable Business Award - For outstanding achievement in reducing the impact of business on the environment, sponsoed by Veolia Environmental Services
· Best Employer Award - For the best employer in Sussex, sponsored by asb law
Awards Supporters
ITV Meridian Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel
Sussex Business Awards are supported by ITV Meridian and Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel.
Entering the awards is free and can be done online. For full details of the awards, visit www.sussex-business-awards.co.uk or call the awards office on 01273 207155. Closing date for entries is 11 July 2008.
Winners will be announced at the glamorous awards ceremony and dinner at Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel on 20 November 2008.