LONDON, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group, is calling for the UK's most enterprising business people to enter the 2014 National Business Awards and be recognised for their achievements.
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The Entrepreneur of the Year award focuses on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, recognising an enterprising individual who has achieved the highest and most sustained levels of growth and financial performance through a culture of innovation, market knowledge, and talent development.
In 2013 David Spencer-Percival was the winner of the award - his recruitment career spans over 15 years and has involved working internationally with global companies providing recruitment services. In 2010 David co-founded Spencer Ogden with Sir Peter Ogden. Turning over £4 million in its first year, the company went on to announce a fourth year turnover of £49m. Spencer Ogden now employs over 300 people across its London headquarters, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Houston, Singapore, Hong Kong, Calgary, Dubai, Berlin and Perth offices. 2012 saw Better Bathrooms' founder Colin Stevens recognised for his entrepreneurial achievements.
Guy Rigby, Head of Entrepreneurs at Smith & Williamson said: "This is a prestigious and valuable award for everyone who enters. It recognises outstanding entrepreneurial performance and rewards those who achieve it. Being a finalist for the Entrepreneur of The Year is an accolade, whilst winning it gives unrivaled recognition to the entrepreneur and the business".
The call for entries and nominations comes as the National Business Awards releases their Business Without Barriers study that shows over half of UK businesses say that they are 'quite confident' or 'very confident' about growth for the year ahead when compared to 2013. The report published today surveyed over 500 business decision makers in the UK and found that 75% of businesses have seen growth in the last 3 years, with 34% of businesses saying they are offering new products and services. Businesses report the biggest growth areas in the last 3 years as customer base and loyalty, overall financial growth and development in quality of service, as well as 15% also reporting growth in sustainable practices as an area where their business is currently growing.
Recognising enterprise excellence, innovation and ethics, the thirteenth annual National Business Awards will celebrate a range of achievements through accolades including the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year, the ICAEW Sustainable Business of the Year, the Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year and the QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: "The organisations and individuals that win National Business Awards overcome barriers by considering the bigger picture, looking outside their organisations and industries for best practices that they can adapt to become market leaders. They also understand the value of talent and how to enable their people to deliver beyond expectation.
"As we launch the 2014 National Business Awards to find Britain's leading entrepreneurs, it will be fascinating to see the innovative ways they are approaching growth in a global landscape."
To enter the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year Award visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk
The deadline for entries is 23 May 2014.
The National Business Awards ceremony takes place 11 November 2014 at The Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London.
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 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 Corporate Citizenship Award
The 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
About UBM Live
The National Business Awards is organised by UBM Information Limited. 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.
Disclaimer
By necessity, this briefing can only provide a short overview and it is essential to seek professional advice before applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this publication. Details correct at time of writing.
Note to editors
Smith & Williamson is an independently owned professional and financial services group with around 1,500 people. The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates. The group has twelve principal offices in the UK and Ireland; these are in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Glasgow, Guildford, Jersey, Manchester, Salisbury, Southampton, and Worcester.
Smith & Williamson is the official sponsor for the National Business Awards' search for the Entrepreneur of the Year in both 2013 and 2014.
Smith & Williamson LLP
Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International
For further information or interview opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
Head of Communications
Tel: +44-(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
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