Aberdeen company leading the way in entries for the 2006 Grampian Awards for Bus

A company from Aberdeen is leading the way in entries for the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.  The Car Clinic in West Tullos was the first company to submit an entry for the awards which recognise business achievement in the north east of Scotland for companies of all sizes.  The awards are sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway (supported by Scottish Enterprise Grampian) and are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise).

Sandy Wilson of Car Clinic comments, “The announcement of the launch of the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise coincided with the first anniversary of the Car Clinic.  Since the company was launched in January 2005 to provide independent vehicle servicing in Aberdeen it has gone from strength to strength.  The number of staff we employ has doubled, going from 6 to 12, and our projected turnover is in excess of £500,000.  We have entered the young business category because Car Clinic has exceeded all expectations whilst competing with some extremely successful established businesses.”

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise comments, “We were pleased to receive our first entry on the day on which the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise were launched.  Car Clinic has submitted an entry in the young business category and we would encourage other businesses in the north east to follow their lead.  Businesses can submit entries in the following categories:

• New Business Award
• Young Business Award
• Business Growth Award
• The Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award
• Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation
• Ian Davidson Award for Entrepreneurship

The awards identify businesses which will play a key role in the future prosperity of Grampian.”

Stuart Heslop, Director Commercial Banking Aberdeen, adds “The Royal Bank of Scotland is again delighted to be supporting the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.  The Awards provide a fabulous opportunity to highlight the drive, determination and innovative qualities of businesses in Grampian and we are proud to be playing a part in helping to showcase the best business talent in the region"

The awards acknowledge and reward business excellence in companies of all sizes across the north east of Scotland, and are open to small and medium enterprises.  The first stage of entry involves completing a short application form on the Enterprise website www.enetrust.com, these entries will be passed by an expert judging panel and successful candidates will go through to stage 2.  Successful entries in stage 2 will be asked to prepare a more detailed submission.  The finalists will then be chosen and invited to present their entry to the panel in more detail.

The winner of the Sir Ian Wood award will receive a cheque of £5000 while the winners of the other categories will each receive a cheque of £3000. The cash prizes and the associated unique handcrafted trophy will be presented at the black tie awards dinner which takes place at Ardoe House Hotel, near Aberdeen on June 8th.

More information about entering the awards can be found at www.enetrust.com. Entry forms can be collected from any branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, from Business Gateway outlets and from Enterprise North East Trust business centres and offices.

The deadline for first stage applications is 21st February 2006 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 13th April 2006 and the awards ceremony will take place on 8th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

Application forms are available at www.enetrust.com, from branches of The Royal Bank of Scotland and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

Ends

Picture Caption:  Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise says that the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise identify businesses which will play a key role in the future prosperity of Grampian.

For further information contact:
Lyndsay Brackenbury
Tricker PR
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Aberdeen
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