Business awards quiz night raises cash for Dr Kershaw's

Twenty teams from firms across the borough took part on this year's Oldham Corporate Quiz, organised by the Oldham Business Awards.

The annual quiz was held at the White Hart restaurant in Lydgate, which provided the venue for free, and sponsored by Oldham Chronicle, Revolution 96.2 and Team Karting. 

The winning team was Physio Matters, based at Hollinwood Business Centre, who had entered the quiz for the first time.

Jane Tonge, business development lead for Physio Matters, said: “ We were invited to last year’s Oldham Business Awards by our IT supplier, Remedian IT.

"We really enjoyed that and thought we should get involved with the business awards and the corporate quiz.

"We were surprised to win tonight on our debut.”

The quiz was hosted by Martyn Torr, of events and PR firm New Image. 

He said: " This was the sixth year that we have run the quiz with proceeds going to Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

"Over the years, the quiz and other business awards events have raised thousands for the hospice and other good causes.

"It was good fun with lots of lovely people."

A donation of £3,000 will be given to the hospice soon, made up from proceeds from the quiz and also from the main 2018 awards dinner at Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall back in May.

Dave Whaley, income generation and communications manager at the hospice, was at the White Hart to support the quiz.

During the night, Pearson Solicitors & Financial Advisers were unveiled as the headline sponsors for the 2019 Oldham Business Awards.

Steve Kilroy, chairman of Oldham Business Awards steering group, thanked all the sponsors and supporters.

He said: "The awards steering group has set a target for 2019 to achieve a £25,000 charity donation target which will be the highest amount given since the awards started 11 years ago.

"Included in this we would like to send a deserving Oldham family on a holiday of a lifetime, whether that be a trip to Disneyland or Lapland or something similar.

"Discussions have already started and more news will follow over the coming months.

"We have also made two major improvements to the awards programme. 

"We have commissioned Oldham agency Cornerstone Design & Marketing to produce a brand-new Oldham Business Awards website to make it easier to for nominations to be submitted, to improve the spotlight on sponsors, to showcase current and previous events, and to provide information and updates on forthcoming events.

“Please visit the new website and submit your nominations for the 2019 awards. Furthermore, please encourage your customers and suppliers to do the same.

"Secondly, we are working with radio station Revolution 96.2, the Oldham Chronicle and Oldham Business Edge magazine as media partners. 

"This has helped to create a potential audience of nearly half a million readers, viewers and listeners.

"We will be publishing articles, conducting interviews and encouraging participation through these local media channels over the coming weeks and months.

"So, keep reading and listening to find out what is going on.

"I am also delighted to announce that Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, which has offices in Oldham, Hollinwood and Ashton, has become the 2019 Oldham Business Awards headline sponsor. 

“Pearson has supported the business awards since the inception over 10 years ago.

"We are delighted that such a major Oldham company is putting its name to the biggest event on the Oldham business calendar."

Pearson representatives on the night included business development manager Suzanne Wright, partner and head of corporate and commercial department Keith Kennedy, partner and head of financial services and wealth management Richard Eastwood and partner and head of commercial litigation Christopher Burke.

The deadline for submitting entries to the 2019 awards is Friday, December 21, 2018.

Shortlisting will take place in the new year and the 2019 awards ceremony is on Friday, April 26, at Queen Elizabeth Hall.

See the forthcoming winter 2018/19 edition of Oldham Business Edge magazine for more pictures taken at the Corporate Quiz.

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