OAG Travel News

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, recognises and rewards excellence, innovation and success. Uniquely open to organisations of all sizes from any sector - public or private - companies from across the country are invited to take part in this year’s premier celebration of business excellence. 

The Awards recently opened its 2009 campaign with the backing of Lord Mandelson’s office which is providing more support this year in an attempt to highlight the way hard-pressed companies are coping with the recession. The Department’s Better Regulation Executive (BRE) is already sponsoring one of the 12 categories now open for entries.

Orange, The National Business Awards’ headline sponsor of eight years, is strongly supporting the bid to build business confidence throughout 2009 and beyond. Urging organisations to get involved and to enter The Awards, Paul Tollet, Vice President, Orange Business UK, added: "This is now the eighth consecutive year that Orange has been headline sponsor of The National Business Awards and we are proud to be recognising, once again, the resilience, adaptability and success of those individuals and organisations that make British business great. We’re really excited about the 2009 awards and expect to see some outstanding entrants.  Nobody can doubt the fact that this is an extremely difficult period for UK business, however, The National Business Awards provides the opportunity to revive some confidence in UK business through the recognition of some of our most talented organisations and individuals."

Made up of 12 categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on 27th August 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel from 21st September – 2nd October at 30 St Mary’s Axe in London also known as the Gherkin. Winners will be unveiled at a glittering gala award dinner 10th November at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. All winners of The National Business Awards will excel to the finals of The European Business Awards where categories are aligned.

Last year’s winners included Sir John Rose of Rolls-Royce; Harriet Lamb of The Fairtrade Foundation; Paul Walsh of Diageo; the DVLA, Hallin Marine Subsea International, CACI, Brakes and Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education.

The Categories

The Better Regulation Award
For the organisation that has improved, amended or simplified statutory regulation or process to create a more effective operating environment for UK business. 

The Customer Focus Award
For the organisation that can best demonstrate that it has its’ customer at the heart of the business 

The Employer of the Year Award
For the organisation that can best demonstrate how it has applied its human resources to achieve success 

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
For an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate exceptional vision 

The Growth Strategy of the Year Award
For organisations that can demonstrate a successful organic growth strategy 

The Health Work & Well-being Award
For an organisation that can best demonstrate how it has improved the health and wellbeing of its workforce 

The Health Work & Well-being Award for Small Business
For an organisation with less than 250 employees that can best demonstrate how it has improved the health and wellbeing of its workforce to the benefit of the organisation. 

The ICAEW Corporate Responsibility Award
For an organisation that can best demonstrate a company-wide commitment to CSR 

The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year Award
For the organisation that can best demonstrate a proven ability to create, nurture, and develop innovations 

The Marketing Strategy of the Year Award
For a specific marketing campaign that has achieved high levels of commercial success 

The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
For the organisation that can best demonstrate that it has effectively used business technology 

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award
For the company that best demonstrates significant growth and innovation in its market sector 

To claim your 10% discount on the entry fees call the NBA entries team on 020 7234 8755  before noon 23 July 2009 and quote 'UBM Aviation 2009'. The standard entry free is £170 + VAT or visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/enter for further information.