LONDON, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
- Shortlist represents industries including, retail, advertising, technology and energy
- The smallest business has a turnover of just £23k with the largest reaching £20 billion
- Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for all finalists
- Winners will be revealed 11 November 2014
Britain's leading businesses, business leaders and social enterprises have today been revealed as finalists for the 2014 National Business Awards. Some of the shortlisted finalists include WPP, OVO Energy, Bulldog Skincare for Men, IKEA and Belu Water. They represent categories including the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year, Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year and the Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year.
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Geographically and industrially diverse - the finalists cover activities including retail, advertising, technology and energy. While just over 40% are based in London and the South East, the majority are spread across the UK - with Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge and Stoke-on-Trent particularly well represented.
Of the businesses shortlisted, 24% turnover under £5m, 26% turnover between £5m and £25m, 15% over a billion and 10% not for profit organisations. The smallest business recognised has a turnover of just £23k with the largest reaching £20 billion. The multi-nationals shortlisted for the QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year collectively generate £60billion of revenue globally. With finalists collectively employing over 850,000 people, the smallest has just one member of full time staff while the largest employs around 165,000 people globally. They have all been selected for the shortlist based on strict criteria focusing on customer service, ethics, innovation, growth, leadership, financial performance and staff engagement.
Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of Judges for the National Business Awards said: "These finalists represent some of the most innovative and inspiring businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises the UK has to offer. In my role as Chair of Judges I'm always interested to see what the finalists are doing differently to stand out in their fields, and this year we have some fantastic examples of success. I'm looking forward to seeing them through the "Dragon's Den" style judging events."
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: "The diversity and quality of this year's finalists have firmly established the National Business Awards as the talent scout for UK plc, with market leading household names recognised alongside the best emerging business brands. With a variety of industries represented, these recovery-leading businesses have demonstrated the return on investment in people, innovation, customer service and leadership."
Finalists will make live presentations to a multi-disciplinary panel of judges who will decide the overall winner for each award category, to be announced at the National Business Awards ceremony this November.
The Leader of the Year finalists and Decade of Excellence winner will be announced over the coming months. The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year finalists were announced last month following a judging event in Liverpool; they include Emma Cerrone, Free:Formers, Alistair Smit, The Magic Thermodynamic Box, Ben Weaver, Outlook Publishing Ltd, Kathryn Birch, Translive Global and Jay Radia, Yieldify. A public vote to decide the winner will close on 31st July. Videos of the five finalist pitches can be seen at http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/Content/Finalists.
Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists and to book a table at the ceremony.
The National Business Awards supports The Prince's Trust, a charity that offers practical and financial support to young people who need it.
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards is the UK's most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its 13th 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.
Categories include:
The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business
The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year
The BlackBerry Business Enabler of the Year
The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year
The Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year
The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year
The UKTI Digital Business of the Year
The New Business of the Year
The Customer Focus Award
The ICAEW Sustainable Business Award
The Social Enterprise of the Year
The Santander Corporate Citizenship Award
The Market Gravity Innovation Award
The Growth Business of the Year
The Employer of the Year
The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year
The Ashridge Business School Leader of the Year
Official Partners
The Grichan Partnership, Friendly Pensions and Lime HR.
About UBM Live
The National Business Awards is organised by UBM Live. UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premier brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors.
For further information or interview opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
Tel: +44(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
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