THE tension is building!
There’s just a month to go before the winners step up to receive their trophies in the Examiner Business Awards.
And today we can reveal the names of the businesses and individuals shortlisted as finalists in the 2012 awards.
Representatives of the finalists will join awards sponsor Chadwick Lawrence and leading figures from the district’s business community to celebrate their successes when the awards night takes place on Thursday, November 8, at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.
Awards will be presented to the winners in 11 categories – Kirklees Council New Business of the Year, Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd SME of the Year, Walker Singleton Business of the Year, Stafflex Community Award, Green Award, HSBC International Business of the Year, David Brown Huddersfield “Place To Make It” Award, University of Huddersfield Innovation and Enterprise Award, The Pink Link Employer of the Year, Fantastic Media Young Business Person of the Year and the Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year.
The judging panel was made up of Jeremy Garside, managing partner of law firm and award sponsor Chadwick Lawrence; Prof Bob Cryan, vice-chancellor of Huddersfield University; Adrian Lythgo, chief executive of Kirklees Council; and Sandra Babbings, director of occupational health specialist PROHMS.
The panel was chaired by Examiner business correspondent Henryk Zientek.
They had the challenging task of drawing up the shortlists from scores of high quality entries submitted over recent weeks.
The finalists for the 2012 awards are drawn from sectors including retail, marketing, manufacturing, accountancy, leisure, business consultancy, transport, property management and food production.
Past winners were among those bidding for fresh success alongside many entrants making their first foray into the awards – all determined to demonstrate how they have overcome difficult trading conditions to grow their businesses, win new contracts, develop new products or improve their operations.
Judging panel chairman Henryk Zientek said: “Once again, we were delighted with the response to the Examiner Business Awards with all the categories well-supported by high quality entries.
“The judges debated long and hard over their final choices – and they were unanimous in their praise for the quality of submissions, the information supplied and the many inspiring stories of success.
“Those organisations to make the shortlist can consider themselves winners already, given the quality of entries overall.
“The judges had a difficult task selecting the shortlists – and the eventual winners who will only find out who they are on the night of the awards.”
And he said: “It is encouraging that so many firms and individuals have been able to achieve great things in the past 12 months. We look forward to recognising their endeavours at the awards night.”
The Examiner Business Awards will be hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.
The keynote speaker will be Gerald Ratner, the chairman and chief executive of Ratners Group, who famously “rubbished” his own products – but rebounded to enjoy new business success.
Tickets are limited and are available from the events team on 01484 437702; by e-mailing business awards@examiner.co.uk or twitter @ExaminerAwards
Kirklees Council New Business of the Year Award : Cafe Society, The Lazy Camper, Fourteen19
Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd SME of the Year Award : Towndoor Ltd, PC Specialists Ltd, Balance Accountants Ltd
Stafflex Community Award : One17 Design, Huddersfield Town FC, Britannia Rescue
Green Award : E Stott & Sons Ltd, Colne Valley Garden Centre, Yorkshire Energy Services
Walker Singleton Business of the Year Award : Disposables UK Ltd, Buy it Direct, Principle Group
HSBC International Business of the Year Award : Denford Ltd, Principle Group, Extract Technology
David Brown Huddersfield Place To Make It Award : Disposables UK Ltd, Wellhouse Leisure Ltd, Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream Company
University of Huddersfield Innovation & Enterprise Award : Denford Ltd, Asquith Butler, Future Polymers LLP
The Pink Link Employer of the Year Award : Holiday Inn Leeds-Brighouse, Kirkwood Hospice, Britannia Rescue
Fantastic Media Business Person of the Year Award : Dan Bamforth, of Towndoor Ltd; Eric Paxman, of Eric’s Restaurant; Moin Valli, of Valli Group Opticians
Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year Award : There is no shortlist for this award, which is in the gift of the judges. The winner will be announced on the night
