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.
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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
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