Last Chance Looms for Entries to Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise

With only x days left until the deadline for the first round of applications for the 2007 annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise, enterprising business people of the north east who are keen to earn widespread recognition of their achievements, and the chance to win up to £5,000, should submit their applications as soon as possible. The closing date for entries is Friday 23 February 2007.

The awards acknowledge and reward business excellence in companies of all sizes across the north east of Scotland. Open to small and medium sized enterprises, the awards are sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway (supported by Scottish Enterprise Grampian).

Businesses may enter one or more of the following six 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

Winners will receive a unique handcrafted trophy and cash prizes of up to £5000.

The first stage of entry involves completing a short application form on the Enterprise website www.enetrust.com, which is then assessed by an expert judging panel, who decide which successful candidates will go through to stage two. Successful entrants in stage two are required to prepare a more thorough submission, and then finalists are chosen and asked to present their entry to the panel in more detail.

The prize for the winner of the Sir Ian Wood award is a cheque for £5000 while prizes for the winners of the other categories are cheques for £2000. The cash prizes and 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.

For more information on how to enter the awards visit www.enetrust.com. More information can be collected from branches 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 23^rd February 2007. The shortlist of finalists will be announced on 18 April 2007 and the awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 7 June 2007 at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

Application forms are available at www.enetrust.com.

Ends

For further information contact:

Sally Wallis

Tricker PR

9 Victoria Street

Aberdeen

Telephone 01224 646491

Direct Line 01224 654086

Mobile 07780 680751

Email swallis@trickerpr.com