The shortlist of nominees for the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2011 has been revealed.
The seven category winners and one overall winner will be announced at the 10th annual awards evening sponsored by Coleg Gwent at Llancaiach Fawr Manor near Nelson on Friday, November 11.
Caerphilly Business Forum chairman Andrew Diplock said: “It’s vital during the tough times we that we take the opportunity to celebrate our success stories.
“People, when fed with a constant diet of gloomy news, end up believing it’s all like that but we know differently. Confidence is vital in business so we really must shout about all the positive stories of businesses succeeding and there are many examples right here in Caerphilly.
“This year, the 10th anniversary of our awards, we have more categories than ever but the competition is just as fierce as previous years and the standards very high. Some of our entrants may have had to jump through hoops and totally reinvent themselves to succeed but succeed they have and these are the characteristics we sometimes need to get through hard times.
“We’ve also seen this kind of determination at first-hand in Caerphilly Business Forum’s activities, with more and more people joining us, getting involved and showing great character, creativity and collective will to succeed.
“So I’m delighted that we have the opportunity once more to showcase that talent. Everyone shortlisted deserves recognition for their achievements and from personal experience I can testify that the winners in particular will find the awards a real boost to their businesses.”
Previous winners, whose businesses have benefited from the awards, range from small companies, such as Mr Diplock’s own UES Energy – the Ystrad Mynach-based energy consultancy, to much larger businesses such as pharmaceutical company Norgine of Hengoed and Peter’s Foods of Bedwas.
The 2011 awards are sponsored by Coleg Gwent and there are seven categories of award, each with individual sponsors, plus the Premier Award for the overall winner sponsored by Broomfield & Alexander.
Last year’s Premier Award winners, Direct Healthcare Services Ltd, from Caerphilly, have returned this year to sponsor the category they won, the Young Business of the Year High Growth Award.
Caerphilly Business Forum 2011 annual awards shortlist
Business of the Year (25 employees or fewer) sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council
Jual Furnishings Ltd
Drumlord Ltd
Focused Recruitment
Environment Award sponsored by UES
Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd
Rob Morris Environmental Ltd
Mollertech Ltd
Young Business of the Year High Growth sponsored by Direct Healthcare Services Ltd
Rob Morris Environmental Ltd
Specialist Precast Products
Active Vibe Ltd
Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by PHS Group
Jennifer Philp (Budget Vets)
Rebecca Rees (JNP Legal)
Sarah Bruton (Captiva Spa)
Business of the Year (25 Employees or more) sponsored by SEDA UK Ltd
Mollertech Ltd
Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd
Peter’s Foods
Women in Business sponsored by Glenside Commercial
Catherine Hartland (Brendon Solicitors)
Esther Apoussidis (Coffee Continental)
Colleen Andrews (CA Recycling)
Finalists Achievement Award sponsored by Business in Focus
Mollertech Ltd
Cottam & Brookes Engineering Ltd
Taylors B&B at The Rock Tavern
The Premier Award sponsored by Broomfield Alexander
The winners of each of the categories are considered for this award.
Tickets for the black tie award ceremony and three-course dinner, which will be hosted by journalist and broadcaster Jason Mohammad, are available for £45 + VAT or a table of 10 for £425 + VAT.
To book your place please contact awards@cbforum.co.uk with your company name, names of your guests, contact e-mail, telephone number and the number of tickets required, and forward payment to: Caerphilly Business Forum, c/o DC Tax and Accounts, 3 Valleys Enterprise Centre, Bedwas House Industrial Estate, Caerphilly CF83 8DW.