2006
(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in North East?
North East businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'
AXA is calling on businesses across the region to enter the North East AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award .
By winning the Award, not only will the regional winner have the chance of being applauded by their peers throughout the region, they will also win a day’s support from an AXA Business Consultant and the chance to go forward to the National Business Awards final in London in November which Gordon Brown has called the ‘Business Oscars’.
The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award will recognise businesses for their entrepreneurship and innovation and will seek to highlight the importance of management excellence in maintaining a successful business today and continuing to grow it in the future.
In addition to winning a day with an AXA Business Consultant, if the regional winner is successful in the national grand final they will win a place on the AXA SME Masterclass that takes place at a Chateau in France . Over the three-day course – where all costs will be covered – the 15 delegates will have their management and business skills finely tuned by some of AXA’s leading business experts. A place on the course would normally cost £10,000.
To enter the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, businesses can register at: www.axa4business.co.uk, where they can also find tips on how to produce a winning entry, which should demonstrate innovation, substantial growth and strong financial performance.
William Chase, Owner of Tyrrells Potato Chips, last year’s Midlands & East of England winner, said: "Winning the Midlands & East of England AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award was a great honour for Tyrrells. We're really proud of the progress we've made within the UK gourmet snacks sector, and were thrilled to have all our efforts recognised. The Awards ceremony was absolutely amazing and we're looking forward to working closely with our customers to grow the business further in 2006.”
Businesses must act quickly to be eligible for the Award, as all regional entries must have been submitted by 21 March, with the final judging taking place in May. Regional winners will be announced in July and will then be entered into the national competition. The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year will be crowned at the national ceremony at The Grosvenor Hotel in London on 7 November.
Douglas Barnett, the AXA North East Regional Judge, said: “The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award is now in its second year and will identify, in the first instance, the North East’s most innovative and dynamic business. We then hope our regional winner will go onto the National Finals and bring the National Award back to the North East.
“We are very pleased to be sponsoring this Award to support businesses, and we strongly encourage small and medium sized businesses to review their strengths and successes and enter the award.”
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About AXA
AXA is a world leader in financial protection. AXA's operations are diverse with major operations in Western Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. AXA employs 120,000 staff and tied agents and, as of 30 June 2005, had €935 billion in assets under management. AXA reported total IFRS revenues of €37 billion and IFRS underlying earnings of € 1,761 million for the first half of 2005. Our previous company performance is not a guide to how we may perform in the future.
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