Reaping Rewards from Awards for Business Enterprise

The eighth annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise were launched in early February, seeking budding entrepreneurs and ambitious business types to battle it out for prestigious recognition of their hard work and achievements in the business world. Red Spider Technology, the Westhill-based company run by managing director Chris Oliver, was a finalist in the Young Business award category in 2006. Chris explains what reaching this stage has meant for his company.

"Gaining finalist status was a welcome recognition of how we have grown as a company, and a boost for the entire team. It also helped raise our profile with potential clients and employees, which contributed to further growth throughout the year.

"In the increasingly competitive oil and gas industry, being able to market yourself in such a way that you stand out from the crowd is important. Being a finalist in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise Young Business category has been a key part in helping us do that, as we continue to reap recognition and associated business benefits from many of the major oil and gas operators in the UK, Norway, and more recently, the Middle East."

Having gained widespread acceptance of their technology in the UK and Norwegian oil and gas sectors, the company has recently opened offices in Jebel Ali, to service a growing number of clients based in the Middle East. Red Spider will be promoting their well intervention and completion solutions to clients operating in the area, and anticipates that the Middle East will contribute $10 million per year in revenue by 2009.

"The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise recognise businesses that are innovative, determined and proud of their achievements - all traits that I feel represent what Red Spider Technology is about," adds Chris.

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. To encourage more businesses to enter the awards, a new entry system for entries was introduced by Enterprise in 2005. The first stage of entry involves completing a short application form on the Enterprise website www.grampianawards.com. These entries will be assessed by an expert judging panel and successful candidates will go through to stage two. Successful entries in stage two will be asked to prepare a more detailed submission and finalists will then be chosen and invited to present their entry to the panel in more detail.

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise says, "We were delighted with the response to the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise last year, recording an increase in entries. The applications we receive each year reflect the quality and enterprising spirit of new and existing businesses in the north east of Scotland. The beauty of the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise is that even the smallest businesses can compete on the same level as large scale businesses. Setting up in business takes motivation, determination and passion to succeed and the entrepreneurs who will be awarded the coveted Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in June this year, will show these qualities and will be leading the future prosperity of the Grampian region."

The awards are sponsored principally by the Royal Bank of Scotland and also by Business Gateway (supported by Scottish Enterprise Grampian). Stuart Heslop, director of commercial banking Aberdeen, for The Royal Bank of Scotland says, "At The Royal Bank of Scotland we deal with businesses of all sizes and meet many business people who are determined to run a successful company and overcome any obstacles to achieve their business dream. Awards such as the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are unique in that they reward those who are making a real difference to the prosperity of the north east of Scotland. The Royal Bank of Scotland has been a committed sponsor of the awards for the past five years and we're delighted to be supporting the Grampian Awards again this year and 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 for the organisation, Colin Donald, says: "There are a growing number of established businesses making their mark in the north east of Scotland every year, confirming that enterprise culture is alive and well in this area. The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise have grown stronger over the years and represent a fantastic platform for businesses of all sizes to gain recognition on a wider scale and promote the excellent work they are doing to ensure the future of the local enterprise. I am confident that this year's entries will provide further proof of that."

There are five categories in the 2007 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Winners will receive a unique handcrafted trophy and cash prize of up to £5,000.

Entrants are now being sought for any one or more of the following five categories, each with its own criteria:

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

More information about entering the awards can be found at www.grampianawards.com. Entry information can be collected from Business Gateway outlets and from Enterprise North East Trust business centres and offices.

Application forms are available online at www.grampianawards.com and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

The deadline for first stage applications is Friday 23 February 2007 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 16 April 2007. The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

Picture caption: Chris Oliver, managing director of Red Spider Technology, says reaching finalist status in the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise has played a key part in helping his company stand out from the crowd.

Sally Wallis

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