Welcome return for One Oldham awards

FOLLOWING the spectacular success of last year’s inaugural event, Chronicle Business, in conjunction with title sponsors NatWest Bank and Oldham Council, are launching the second One Oldham Business Awards.

Last year’s winners, sponsors and potential sponsors will be at the 2010 launch, which takes places at the Rubaru Restaurant, Middleton Road, Chadderton, on Monday.

Jim Williams, Editor of the Oldham Evening Chronicle, will host the event, between noon and 2pm, when plans for this year’s campaign and categories will be announced.

Mr Williams said: “We are delighted to be associated with these awards which recognise and reward some of the excellent businesses we are proud to have here in Oldham.

“Last year we showed that we have a vibrant Oldham business community making a significant contribution to the borough’s economy and we have every reason to be optimistic that the 2010 event will be bigger and better. See you at the Rubaru on Monday.”

Any business people in the borough wishing to attend the launch should call Steve Duthie at the Chronicle 0161-622 2159 or e-mail steved@oldham-chronicle.co.uk .

The steering committee which organised the 2009 event, headed by Steve Kilroy, head of support and business development at BAE Systems, Chadderton, has made one major change to the awards process.

In addition to the six categories recognising specialist excellence across the borough, there will be three Business of the Year awards.

Turnover

Mr Kilroy explained: “Last year the judges had the near-impossible task of judging entrants as diverse as huge PLCs with multi-million pound turnovers in the same category as much smaller but equally exciting and successful firms.

“In light of that experience, the steering committee has accepted that there needs to be an extra category — for the really big businesses.”

This year, the One Oldham Business Awards will be a seeking nominations from businesses with a turnover up to £1 million, in excess of £1 million but below £5m, and in excess of £5 million.

A presentation dinner will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on March 22, 2010, when the awards will be presented.