TWO Peterborough companies are in the running for top UK business awards.
Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Business Support Centre, based on the Woodston Industrial Estate, has scooped the East of England’s Award for Excellence in People Development while G7th Ltd has been awarded the region’s Achievement in International Business title.
Both companies now go through to this year’s national finals of the British Chambers of Commerce Awards in London.
Independent judges praised Coca-Cola Enterprises’ Business Support Centre for developing and retaining a diverse workforce. The panel said: “Coca-Cola Enterprises has invested heavily in staff development including, amongst other things, a dedicated training and quality team to support staff through their development with the aim of attracting, developing and retaining a talented and diverse workforce.”
Meanwhile, G7th Ltd, which designs guitar accessories, has driven its growth by establishing new international markets, including America – so much so that export sales now represent 84% of total production. Winning the national award would be the icing on the cake for this two-man business, which won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade earlier this year.
John Dunsmure, Managing Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Despite the difficult economic climate, businesses across the country are continuing to succeed, overcoming obstacles by adopting innovative ideas and motivating their people. These companies are a great example of the very best of UK business and I wish the team at Coca Cola and G7th success in the national finals.”
John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Chamber Awards is a national competition run by our national counterpart the British Chambers of Commerce, and this year our Chamber has experienced its most successful year to date in terms of the number of members progressing through to the national finals. With the region’s awards for Excellence in People Development and Achievement in International Business both being attributed to companies from Peterborough and the region’s Most Promising New Business coming from Cambridge, this is a clear sign that Cambridgeshire companies really are the most successful in the region.”
If G7th is awarded the national title for Achievement in International Business, sponsored by RBS Invoice Finance or Coca Cola Enterprises clinches the fdf-sponsored Award for Excellence in People Development they would also be in with a chance of collecting the ‘Winner of Winners’ £50,000 cash prize. This goes to the category winner that judges believe stands out from the rest.
There are eight categories, backed by high profile sponsors including Royal Bank of Scotland, Staples, Dell, BT, AXA PPP Healthcare, Westfield Health and AVG Technologies.
The national winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Maritime Museum in London on November 26.