Member Article

Chamber Awards 2012 are launched

Companies are being urged to show that ‘Business is Good for Britain’ by taking part in one of the nation’s leading Awards.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) officially launched the Chamber Awards 2012 recently by inviting firms to showcase their talents and achievements to be in with a chance of winning a £25,000 cash prize.

Open to all businesses, the competition is designed to recognise and promote the best businesses in Britain through a series of regional heats followed by the National Final, which will be held in London on November 29th.

There are nine categories to choose from, covering international business, people development, excellence in innovation, marketing, new business, customer service, sustainability, entrepreneur of the year and business of the year.

The Awards, which are now in their 9thyear, is one of the showcase events for the BCC’s ‘Business is Good for Britain’ campaign that highlights the role of business as a positive force for the UK recovery and the success of local communities and individuals.

President Martyn Pellew said: “This year we want everyone to understand the contribution business makes to the economy and to society as a whole. Businesses will be at the forefront of the recovery, providing jobs, and creating wealth.

“Every day we hear amazing stories from companies that are innovative, successful in international markets, and create new products. It is stories like these that we are looking to find and recognise through the Chamber Awards. Last year, over 600 firms took part and 2012 promises to be even bigger as we look to demonstrate that ‘Business is Good for Britain!’”

Businesses can enter the following categories this year:

• Achievement in International Business
• Award for Commitment to People Development
• Award for Excellence in Innovation
• Award for Excellence in Customer Service
• Business of the Year Award
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• Marketing Campaign of the Year
• Most Promising New Business Award
• The Sustainability Award

Closing date for entries is 29thJune, with companies assessed at a regional level first, with the winners going through to compete in the National Final in November.

At this stage, a high-profile judging panel of business leaders and entrepreneurs assesses contenders, before the overall winners are announced in each category with one company winning the £25,000 cash prize and the Outstanding Business Achievement title.

Unruly secured this honour last year after impressing judges with its ability to distribute social video campaigns for Fortune 100 brands, such as Heineken, T-Mobile and Compare the Market.

The dynamic Shoreditch-based social video platform has got a bigger global reach than any other company in its sector, employs 70 people in the UK and has added international offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Stockholm and Sydney.

Scott Button, Founder and CEO, commented: “We are very much a global platform now and the Chamber Award gave us immediate credibility when entering new international markets.

“Part of the prize money went in bringing together all of our international teams for the first time and this resulted in some great strategic thinking that has reaped dividends this year.”

The Chamber Awards 2012 is supported by the RBS Group, BT Business, Westfield Health, Qdos Consulting and Composite Legal Expenses.

To enter online go to www.chamberawards.co.uk or for further information you can contact the Chamber Awards Team on 02476 472593, email awards@chamberawards.co.uk or follow @chamberawards

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .