Chronicle launches business awards

CHRONICLE Business is delighted to announce the launch of the One Oldham Business Awards, supported by the Oldham Evening Chronicle and Oldham Council, and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest Business Banking.

Between now and the end of March, the business section, assisted by the Oldham Local Council of Greater Manchester Chamber, and the business-support team at the local authority, will be seeking nominations for each of eight categories.

We all want to find the cream of the business community, and to recognise and reward their achievements.

Every week, Chronicle Business will feature an entry form for the eight categories, which have been decided in consultation with the major sponsors.

And it is expected that this newspaper’s website and, hopefully, others, will also carry the forms.

To date, a further 12 sponsors have committed to support the awards which the organisers fervently hope will become an annual event.

Wealth

Judging will take place in February when all the nominations will be whittled down to three shortlisted finalists by independent judging panels featuring experienced managers from the Royal Bank of Scotland and BAE Systems.

All of the finalists will be visited by the respective judging panels — visits which will be captured on video for showing at the gala awards dinner in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Friday, April 3, next year.

All the winners will be profiled in the columns of the Oldham Chronicle.

Tickets for the dinner will be pegged to £35 per head, £400 for tables of 10 with a supporting advertisement in the programme, to encourage attendance at what should be an evening to remember.

Oldham Council’s executive leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, said: “Oldham Council prioritises economic prosperity and is proud to recognise the achievements of the borough’s wealth creators.

“This event will celebrate our business community, provide valuable networking opportunities and showcase our knowledge, skills and innovation to potential investors within the city region and beyond.”

David Meredith, a Greenfield man who is director of commercial banking at RBS, said: “These awards will recognise those businesses and individuals who have excelled in their chosen field and the Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to be the principal sponsor of this event.

“The borough benefits from many successful businesses, both young and old, which continue to prosper despite the challenging economic conditions.”

His colleague. Steve Lowe, also an Oldham man and senior manager within the Oldham commercial team at RBS, added: “I know from personal experience that there is a great deal of support for these awards out there in the business community.

“I believe the occasion will become a major event in the Oldham business calendar.”

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/7/business-news/16845/oldham-chronicle-business-awards