Rewards are well worth challenge

Sep 23 2008 Surrey Herald

BUSINESSES in Surrey are being urged to take part in a competition that rewards company success.

This year's Surrey Business Awards were launched on Thursday last week at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking with more than 50 guests invited for a dinner.

Gourmet food and canapés were served along with wine and cheese, and guests were invited to join a tour around the vineyard following a speech by the award director Robin Fegan who encouraged businesses to get involved.

He said: "These awards can back your team and better your business and it is important because it gets you out there in the public domain and gives your staff good recognition.

"One of our previous winners also said the process of entering and the feedback he got was really very good."

Andrew Reynolds - who last year won the Surrey Business Person of the Year and Small Business award for his Sky channel offering advice to companies, The Entrepreneur Channel - spoke of how entering brought his team closer.

He said: "The first one came up and I thought that was the end and then I got the second, which was amazing. The awards gave us a great boost and gave us good backing.

"It brought ev er yb od y together and it played a good part in dealing with customers."

Business can enter free in two of the 11 award categories by filling out an application form, including details such as the businesses turnover, the date the company began trading and the number of employees.

A panel of judges will shortlist three or four from each category to be sent to the ceremonial final in April at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher.

More than 200 businesses entered last year.

Mr Fegan said: "We are keen to celebrate the achievements of businesses of all sectors and sizes, and were delighted to see a rich diversity of enterprises represented at the launch

"There are many benefits of entering the awards and with a broad variety of categories on offer, including those for all-round excellence as well as for businesses demonstrating special strengths in areas such as innovation, marketing and customer service. There is an award to suit every business."

The closing date for entries is November 21. They can be submitted by ordering an application form on 0870 609 3048 or by visiting www.surreybusinessawards.co.uk