LONDON, November 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
-Prime Minister and
Danny Alexander, Chief
Secretary to the Treasury support British businesses
-
- Jessica Ennis talks about her sporting success
-
- Winners include
Phil Smith of Cisco and Kate Swann of WH Smith -
- With Photo
The National Business Awards in partnership with Orange has
revealed the 2012 winners, at the gala dinner hosted by Sky News
presenter Jeff Randall.
Organisations from across the private, public and third sectors
triumphed, including Trunki, Marks & Spencer and London Early
Years Foundation.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/574096-a )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/574096-b )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/574096-c )
Recognising excellence, innovation and ethics in UK plc, the
eleventh annual National Business Awards were opened with a video
address from the Prime Minister, which highlighted Government
support for British business. Chief Secretary to the Treasury,
Danny Alexander also addressed the
1200 business leaders that attended the event, whilst Olympian
Jessica Ennis wowed the crowd with her story of determination and
success. Other influential attendees included Sir Roger Carr, Chairman of Centrica and President
of the CBI and Chair of Judges, Baroness Virginia Bottomley.
Prime Minister David Cameron
described British business as being in a 'global race' and
commented: "It is people like you who are helping us lift our
economy out of a very difficult time and who'll help make sure that
Britain doesn't just compete in
this global race, but really thrives in it. I want to thank-you for
everything you're doing and I want to congratulate everyone for
being recognised at the National Business Awards."
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary
to the Treasury said: "The Government is delighted to support this
year's National Business Awards. As a celebration of the very
best in British business, they are a valuable opportunity to
recognise the hard work and dedication of UK companies - from micro
businesses to multi-nationals - in achieving the success which
drives economic growth."
Phil Smith, CEO, Cisco UK and
Ireland was honoured with the
prestigious Orange Leader of the Year Award, an award decided by a
combination of public vote and a ballot from a panel of 35 senior
executives from across the business community. Kate Swann, CEO, WH Smith received the Daily
Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business for her
distinguished career leading retail businesses and turning round WH
Smith's fortunes. Other winners include Shutl, the web service who
organise immediate and convenient delivery of online shopping, who
took home the Start-Up Business of the Year Award, with judges
commenting that they have been setting new standards for delivery
and service in its sector.
Joseph Joseph was crowned the
BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year winner, with Ella's Kitchen,
producers of organic baby and toddler food being awarded the 3i
International Growth Business of the Year. Registered charity,
London Early Years Foundation won the Transformational Change of
the Year award for turning a vulnerable charity into a financially
secure social enterprise.
Martin Stiven, Vice President of
Business at EE, the company that runs Orange and T-Mobile and EE,
the new superfast 4G brand, said: "Congratulations to all of this
year's winners. The entries are truly remarkable and demonstrate
the considerable breadth of inspirational companies that we have in
Britain today. They are shining
examples of how industry champions are pushing this nation forward
with bold innovation and impressive leadership, both of which we
believe strongly about at EE."
Alex Evans, Programme Director of
the National Business Awards said: "Attracting household names, and
those aspiring to be; the National Business Awards are the accolade
of choice for those seeking the highest recognition - whether it's
to attract talent, investment, new customers or media
attention."
For more information visit
http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk
The National Business Awards supports Help for Heroes, a charity
that offers support and advice for wounded soldiers.
Winners
The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business
- Kate Swann, CEO, WH Smith
The Orange Leader of the Year- Phil
Smith, CEO, Cisco UK & Ireland
The Entrepreneur of the Year - Colin
Stevens, Better Bathrooms
The Business Enabler of the Year - Newton Europe
The Ecommerce Strategy of the Year - Zaggora.com
The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year -
Trunki
The Small Online Business of the Year - Luxury for Less, trading
as Bath Empire
The Croner Employer of the Year - Baringa Partners
The Huawei Customer Focus Award - World First
The ICAEW Sustainability Award - Marks & Spencer
The Start-Up Business of the Year - Shutl
The Orange Innovation Award - Apetito
The BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year - Joseph Joseph
The Transformational Change of the Year - London Early Years
Foundation
The Leadership Diversity Award - Eversheds
The Coutts FTSE 100 Business of the Year - Intertek Group
The 3i International Growth Business of the Year - Ella's
Kitchen
The Grichan Partnership is the official executive search partner
for the National Business Awards.
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK,
the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange is the UK's
most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its
particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical
business. Now in its eleventh year, the National Business
Awards connects the nations' professionals through its annual
awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table
events; and is UBM plc's flagship awards programme. Visit
http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information or
follow us on Twitter @businessawards.
About Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes (H4H) was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving
visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma
met some extraordinarily brave young men who had been badly wounded
and they just wanted to do something to help. The charity was
launched in October 2007 and provides
direct, practical support for those wounded, injured or who have
become sick in the line of duty and their families.
About Orange UK
Orange is the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the
world's leading telecommunications operators. With almost 131
million customers, the Orange brand now covers internet, television
and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group
operates. Orange UK is run by EE, the company that also runs the
T-Mobile and EE brands in Britain.
EE is the most advanced digital communications company in
Britain, providing mobile and
fixed line services to nearly 27 million customers, and is the
first company in the UK to provide 4G mobile services alongside
fixed-line fibre. Its 4G service will cover 16 cities and 20
million people by the end of 2012 and its fibre service will cover
11 million premises by the end of the year.
EE's mobile service currently provides coverage to 99% of the
population with 2G and 98% of the population with 3G.
Follow us on…
Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ee
Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/ee
YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/ee
LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ee-uk
Note to Editors:
Pictures accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from
http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at
http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
For further information or interview
opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
PR Manager
UBM Awards and Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
Annelle Botha
Head of PR and Marketing
UBM Awards and Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-234-8753
Email: annelle.botha@ubm.com