Enterprise Announces Finalists for 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise

There are two Turriff businesses amongst the 18 finalists from the north east area in this year’s Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. The finalists also include businesses from Aberdeen, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Westhill and Torphins operating in a wide variety of sectors including cheese production, biotechnology and renewable energy.  The finalists for the awards were announced today (Monday 27 March 2006), following a 27% increase on entries from last year.  Now in their seventh year, the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise recognise business achievement in the north east for companies of all sizes, operating in a variety of industry sectors.  The awards are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway (in association with Scottish Enterprise Grampian). 

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust says, “During the first three quarters of the 2005/2006 financial year Enterprise helped over 600 businesses start up in the north east area.  As an area which has a strong reputation for the creation and development of successful businesses it is no surprise that each year we see more and more businesses entering the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.  This year’s finalists are testament to this and have the characteristics required to be successful in business; innovation, enterprise and determination to succeed. These awards are designed to commend their achievements so far and I wish all the finalists the best of luck at the awards gala dinner on 8 June, and for the future.”

The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise finalists are:

New Business Award first-round finalists (£3000 prize) are:
Capture Imaging Aberdeen
The Craigmyle Cheese Company Torphins
TLG Builders of Natural Stone Turriff

Young Business Award Finalists (£3 000) are:
Earthwise Scotland Ltd Kemnay, Inverurie
Red Spider Technology Ltd Westhill, Aberdeen
TS Marine (Contracting) Ltd Aberdeen

   
Business Growth Award Finalists (£3 000) are:
C & M Group Limited Aberdeen
Caledonian Petroleum Services Aberdeen
The Big Picture Aberdeen

Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award finalists (£3 000 prize) are:
Evolve Training Aberdeen
Millstream Associates Limited Aberdeen
Mitchells Inverurie

Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation finalists (£5 000 prize) are:
Gray & Adams  Ltd Fraserburgh
Keenan Recycling Ltd Turriff
NovaBiotics Limited Aberdeen

Ian Davidson Award for Entrepreneurship finalists (£3 000 prize) are:
James Cummings, Heavenly Pizzas Aberdeen
Richard McLaughlin, Attic Aberdeen
Stuart Ebdy, White Spark Promotions ltd. Aberdeen

Stuart Heslop, director of commercial banking, Aberdeen for The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) says, “RBS is constantly working with exciting new-start businesses and with thriving, established businesses in the north east.  The finalists selected for this year’s Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are a very high calibre and RBS is very pleased to be associated with this prestigious event.  These awards recognise and commend the hard work and commitment of Grampian’s businesses and I am looking forward to hearing more about how these businesses are developing in the north east."

The awards are staged in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise Grampian, who have sponsored the event for the past seven years.  Director of Finance and Competitive Business, Colin Donald says, “It’s been very difficult for the judges this year, as the standard of entries has been exceptionally high. Congratulations to all the companies who successfully made it to the finals, they have faced very stiff competition from new and growing businesses across the region.  The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are designed to recognise achievements in companies of all sizes and the coveted Enterprise award is a fitting accolade for all of their hard work and determination.”

Winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Thursday 8 June 2006 at Ardoe House Hotel by Aberdeen.  Richard Reed, Co Founder of Innocent Drinks, will be the keynote speaker at the prestigious event.  All finalists will receive a certificate with category winners picking up a coveted enterprise award and a cheque for up to £5,000.

Winners from last year’s awards include Poseidon Engineering, Zertech, double award winners Caledus, ANM Group and Graeme Anderson of boxportable.

Tickets cost £80 per guest (plus VAT) or £800 (plus VAT) for a table of ten.  The event begins with a champagne reception at 7pm, with carriages at 11.45 pm.  Tickets for the event can be booked by calling 01467 672535, or emailing events@enetrust.com.

More information about the awards can be found at www.enetrust.com.  Winners will be selected on 13th April 2006 and will not be announced until the awards ceremony will take place on 8th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

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