2006
(06/04/2006) South East businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'
AXA today announced that four South East businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further four highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
The shortlisted businesses battling to win the title of South East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year are as follows:
- Arkadin (UK) Ltd, Hammersmith ( www.arkadin.com ) - Providers of audio conferencing services to medium and large businesses in the UK.
- Converso Contact Centres Ltd, Southend on Sea ( www.converso.co.uk ) - Specialists in providing customer contact solutions for some of the UK's best known Blue Chip companies and government departments.
- Telinet Solutions Limited, Southwark ( www.telinet.co.uk ) - A network service provider offering a complete range of telephony and data network services.
- Thomsons Online Benefits, Westminster ( www.thomsonsonlinebenefits.com ) - Providers of a total benefit solution to employers using web technology to eliminate paper-based administration and to improve communication.
The Highly Commended South East businesses in the region's AXA Small to Medium Businesses of the Year Awards are:
- Club Asia London Ltd, Barking
- KashFlow Software Ltd, Basildon
- Octopus Asset Management, London
- Telephonetics, Hemel Hempstead
The winner of the South East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year Award category will be announced in July and will not only receive a day's support from an AXA Business Consultant but will also get the chance to go forward to the National Business Awards final at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 7 November.
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 Small to Medium Sized Business Masterclass that takes place at a chateau in France. Over the three-day course the delegates will have their management and business skills finely tuned by some of AXA's leading business experts.
Graham Trueman, the AXA South East Regional Judge, said: "I am delighted to have been asked to take part in judging the South East finalists in the second year of the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Awards. It was a difficult decision selecting the finalists from the large number of excellent businesses in the region, which is why a further four companies received Highly Commended awards.
"They are all outstanding examples of the South East's most dynamic companies and we wish them all the best of luck in the regional final."
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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 31 December 2005, had € 1,064 billion in assets under management. AXA reported total IFRS revenues of € 72 billion and IFRS underlying earnings of € 3,258 million for the full year 2005. Our previous company performance is not a guide to how we may perform in the future.
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