Member Article

Entries for Family Business Awards open in style

The Midlands Family Business Awards 2014 opened in style on the 1st May, with events in both the East and West Midlands.

The region’s only independent not-for-profit Awards for family businesses, their leaders and advisers launched at a lunchtime event at the Library of Birmingham and ‘teatime tapas’ at Iberico Derby, officially marking the opening for entries this year.

Family businesses of any size, sector or specialism can enter free of charge and full details of the Awards’ ten categories were unveiled at the events, including the headline Midlands Family Business of the Year and three categories new for 2014 –International Development, Employer of the Year and Director of the Year (under 40).

The line-up of sponsors and supporters for 2014 was also revealed at the events and includes Midlands’ accountants and business advisors Smith Cooper, the Awards’ headline sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, Barclays, Crouch Logistics, PwC, Shakespeares, Unum, Thomas Miller Investment and First Actuarial.

The 2014 Awards are raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust, the educational charity for young people. Since their launch in 2010, the Awards have raised in the region of £20,000 for charities supporting young people and enterprise.

Categories for 2014 are:

Midlands Family Business of the Year

Best Small Family Business

Fastest Growing Family Business

Business Innovation

Leading Adviser to Family Businesses

Manufacturing Excellence

Employer of the Year

International Development

Director of the Year(under 40)

Service Excellence.

Speaking at the events, Charlotte Perkins, MD of The Wilson Organisation, which organises and underwrites the Awards, explained: “Entries for the 2014 Awards are open from today until the end of June. Family businesses can enter as many categories as they would like and the submission process is quick, simple and totally free.

“As a charitable initiative, we are indebted to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, many of whom are returning for the fourth or even fifth year in 2014.

“Wilsons is a third generation family business, and we recognise just how important it is to showcase and celebrate the amazing successes and contribution of the Midlands’ family businesses, one of the main aims of the Awards. We look forward to a record number of entries in 2014 and would encourage family businesses to enter so they gain the recognition they deserve.”

For more information about the 2014 Awards, categories, sponsors independent judging panel, and how to enter, visit: www.familybusinessawards.co.uk or contact Wilsons’ Ped Briggs: pbriggs@wilorg.com.

Family businesses generate over £1 trillion each year in UK revenues and provide more than nine million jobs in the UK. The Midlands is home to over 400,000 family businesses.

The Wilson Organisation, based in Nottingham, provides innovative insurance and financial solutions to businesses and individuals both regionally and nationally. The firm is celebrating its centenary in 2014. For more information, visit: www.wilorg.com, or Tel: 0115 942 0111.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Midlands Family Business Awards .