2007 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise Launched

The hunt is on for winners of this year's Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise as nominations for the 2007 event open today Monday 5 February 2007. Representing prestigious recognition of entrepreneurial spirit and business excellence across Aberdeen city and shire, the call for entrants will be made by Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), Stuart Heslop director of commercial banking Aberdeen and John Petchey, Director, Business Development from The Royal Bank of Scotland, the main sponsor of the event, and Colin Donald of Scottish Enterprise Grampian, sponsors of the event for the past eight years. The deadline for first stage applications is Wednesday 21 February with the awards ceremony set to take place in June this year at Ardoe House Hotel.

Open to small and medium sized companies across the north east of Scotland, the initial stage of entry involves completing an application form on the Enterprise website www.enetrust.com. "These entries will then be scrutinised by our expert judging panel who will select those applicants to go through to the second stage of judging, which involves a more detailed submission from candidates," explains Chris Travis of Enterprise. "Successful finalists will then be chosen and asked to present their entry to the panel in further detail."

"Last year we were very pleased to record a 27% rise in entry numbers, a reflection of the truly enterprising spirit that is alive and well amongst businesses in the north east," Chris adds. "Over the years the applications unfailingly demonstrate the calibre and drive of the business people of this area, and I hope that we can monitor a similarly high level of interest this year."

The nature of the Grampian Awards allows even the smallest businesses to compete at the same level as established businesses, employing hundreds of staff.

"Setting up in business requires motivation, fortitude and a will to succeed," continues Chris. "The entrepreneurs who will be rewarded at the coveted Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in June this year are sure to demonstrate these qualities and will lead the future prosperity of the Grampian region."

Stuart Heslop, director of commercial banking Aberdeen, for The Royal Bank of Scotland says, "As stout recognition of success, innovation and enterprising stamina, the awards play an important role in encouraging business start up and development in the north east of Scotland, and as a committed sponsor of the event for the past six years, the Royal Bank of Scotland urges companies throughout the region to enter.

"The awards are exceptional in that they reward those who are making a real difference to the prosperity of the north east of Scotland, and I look forward to meeting this year's finalists at the end of June."

The awards are staged in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise Grampian. Director of finance and competitive business, Colin Donald, says: "The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise continue to grow year on year, and are rooted on principles by which we firmly abide – encouraging, supporting and nurturing business start ups and growth in the region.

"The north east of Scotland boasts an acclaimed track record of high achieving businesses. The awards represent a great platform from which businesses of all sizes may be recognised on a wider scale and promote the excellent work they are doing to ensure the continued economic growth and long term prosperity of the area. I am confident that this year's entries will show further evidence of this."

There are five categories in the 2007 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Winners will receive a unique handcrafted trophy and the awards are one of the few which have a cash prize of up to £5000.

Entrants are now being sought for the six categories which are:

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

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 £2000. 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 Thursday 7 June 2007.

Each award category has its own criteria and businesses can enter more than one.

More information about entering the awards can be found at www.enetrust.com. Entry information 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 Friday 23 February 2007 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 18 April 2007. The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

Application forms are available online at www.enetrust.com; entry information can be collected from branches of The Royal Bank of Scotland and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

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