Regional Business Excellence Rewarded

Regional Business Excellence Rewarded

MANCHESTER, England, July 10/PRNewswire/ --

- National Business Awards Regional Programme Sponsored by Orange 2009

Over 350 business leaders and guests attended The National
Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange, in Manchester,
Thursday 9th July, to celebrate the success of the North of England and
Northern Ireland's most innovative, ethical and successful businesses.

Nine organisations were duly rewarded including Cumbria-based
Smith Engineering who triumphed with The Orange Best Use of Technology in
Business Award for its remotely operated ground vehicles designed for use in
hazardous areas. It was Saltaire's Pace, a leading technology developer for
the global pay TV industry with clients such as BSkyB, that won the
prestigious Grant Thornton Business of the Year Award.

Commenting on the winners, Gary Coombes, Director of Business
Sales for headline sponsor, Orange, said: "The quality of finalists this year
has been outstanding, making many of the judging decisions very close calls.
All the winners displayed resilience and determination to succeed in what has
undoubtedly been a challenging environment, and it is organisations such as
these that will help to stimulate renewed growth in the local economy."

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year trophy went to
Manchester-based Myprotein.co.uk now Europe's leading online manufacturer and
supplier of sports nutrition and health products. "The success of this
business has resulted in year on year triple digit growth. The judging panel
duly awarded the organisation for its product development and successful
growth strategies", said Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, The National
Business Awards.

Quick Holdings Plc, Bolton, won The IMechE Business Innovation
of the Year Award for developing the world's first interactive Dance &
Fitness System - the "Cyber Coach". The System delivers dance classes, such
as salsa and cheerleading, online where up to 32 people can play computer
games simultaneously.

It was double victory for Leeds-based Remote Asset Management
Ltd (RAM) tonight. Robert Janes, National Business Awards judge and founder
of Stonebyte PR, presented Chris McClellan with the much sought after
Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his exceptional leadership and vision. RAM
was also awarded The Customer Focus Award title. Jacqui Marchesi, Business
Development Manager, ICS and chair of judges for the awards category said:
"After a closely fought contest between a number of extremely worthy entries
and much hot debate between the judges, it was agreed that RAM should be the
overall winner given the organisation's ability to demonstrate an holistic
approach and genuine understanding of customer focus."

Crown Spa Hotel in Scarborough, won the Health, Work & well-being Award
for Small Business. The judges were impressed by the remarkable change in
culture it has achieved through a mixture of leadership, innovation and
employee engagement. This in turn has resulted in leading edge sector results
in staff turnover, employee satisfaction and improved business performance.

The Employer of the Year Award went to Doncaster Chamber of
Commerce & Enterprise. The organisation clearly demonstrated how training and
communication has been completely overhauled to inspire staff to help
motivate and deliver tangible success in business for its members.

"Exactly the calibre of company The National Business Awards
are made for. It positively oozes qualification and excellence," said
Councillor John Pennington, chair of judges for the category, when presenting
Preston-based i-know UK with The Growth Strategy of the Year Award. "i-know
UK has delivered applaudable organic growth up 100% year on year with profit
to match and a company that is a credit to UK Plc", Pennington added.

When asked to comment overall on this year's winners, Gary
Coombes, Director of Business Sales for headline sponsor, Orange, said: "At
Orange we know that winning recognition in The National Business Awards is a
huge achievement and the success of each winner should be highlighted so that
suppliers, partners and customers know that they are dealing with an
organisation that is forward thinking and vibrant in its approach to business
thinking".

To obtain further information and see the full list of winners and
finalists visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals

The National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by
Orange, is United Business Media's business recognition platform with its
particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business. Acknowledged
as the UK's leading showcase for achievement in business, The National
Business Awards connects the nations' professionals through its business
recognition platform and annual awards ceremonies.

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

WINNERS AND FINALISTS NORTH OF ENGLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND

The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award

Winner: Smith Engineering, Maryport, CA15, 8NF

Finalists: aql, Leeds, LS10 1JQ; Biskit Marketing & Design Ltd, Otley,
LS21 3PB; Farnell, Leeds, LS12 2TU; Kings Security Systems, Bradford, BD4
7HH; Mitrefinch Ltd, York, YO30 5YY; Northern Doctors Urgent Care, Newcastle,
NE12 8EG; Spartasoft, Manchester, M60 1QD and Yorkshire Water, Bradford, BD6
2SZ

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Winner: Chris McClellan, Remote Asset Management Ltd, Leeds, LS10 1DX

Finalists: Anthony King, Kings Security Systems Ltd, Bradford,
BD4 7HH; Chris Jordan, Cabfind Ltd, Liverpool, L3 8LX; Linden Kitson, Lick UK
Ltd, Elland, HX5 9DN; Michael Conway, Quayside Clothing Limited, Manchester,
M17 1EH; Jo Sellick, Sellick Partnership, Manchester, M2 5AH; Chris Harrison,
Tech Support Holdings Limited, Doncaster, DN10 6QR; Matt Newing, Elite
Telecom, St Helen's, WA11 7RP; Hazel Barry, H2K Skincare, Harrowgate, HG1 2PW
and Oliver Cookson, Myprotein.co.uk, Manchester, M23 9LE

The Grant Thornton Business of the Year Award

Winner: Pace Plc, Saltaire, BD18 3LF

Finalists: Elite Telecom, St Helen's, WA11 7RP; Nisa
International, Grimsby, DN31 1SJ; Reflex Vehicle Solution, Stockton On Tees,
TS18 3TX; Spiritel Plc, Wigan, WN2 2DX

The Health, Work & well-being Award for Small Business

Winner: Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2AG

Finalists: Chess, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 7JP; Doncaster Chamber of
Commerce & Enterprise, Doncaster, DN4 5JQ; px limited, Cleveland, TS17 6BF
and BNS Nuclear Services (Manchester), Manchester, M44 5AY

The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year Award

Winner: Quick Holdings Plc, Bolton, BL2 2HP

Finalists: aql, Leeds, LS10 1JQ; GB Group, Chester, CH4 9GB;
Marks & Spencer Group Plc (in collaboration with Leeds University) Leeds, LS2
9JT; Smith Engineering, Maryport, CA15, 8NF; Spartasoft, Manchester, M60 1Q
and Yorkshire Water & Brinker, Bradford, BD6 2LZ

The Customer Focus Award

Winner: Remote Asset Management Ltd, Leeds, LS10 1DX

Finalists: Advance Security UK Ltd, Hillingdon, UB10 9PF;
Chess Telecom, Cheshire, SK9 7JP; Liverpool City Council, Liverpool, L18 3JD;
QVC, Liverpool, L70 2QA; Royal Bank of Scotland, Harrogate, HG3 1XE;
TouchStar Call Centre Software, Manchester, M12 6JH and UKFast, Manchester,
M1 4BT

The Growth Strategy of the Year Award

Winner: i-know UK Ltd, Preston, PR25 3GR

Finalists: Elite Telecom, St Helen's, WA11 7RP; Fonezone
Telecommunications LTD trading as Barclay Communications, Belfast, BT7 1DT;
Interim Partners, Harrogate, HG1 1TS; Knowsley Lift Services, Liverpool, L7
9NG; Mobica Limited, Wilmslow, SK9 1AY; Nisa International, Grimsby, DN31 1SJ
and Reflex Vehicle Solution, Stockton On Tees, TS18 3TX

The Employer of the Year Award

Winner: Doncaster Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise

Finalists: Advance Security UK Ltd, Hillingdon, UB10 9PF; British
Independent Utilities, St Anne's, FY8 1QG; Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, YO11
2AG; HLM Architects, Sheffield, S1 2LA and KCOM Contact Centres Ltd, Hull,
HU2 8PU

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year

Winner: Myprotein.co.uk, Manchester, M23 9LE

Finalists: Cabfind Ltd, Liverpool, L3 8LX; Cumbrian Cottages
Limited, Carlisle, CA3 0LJ; Donwood Double Glazing Ltd, Gateshead, NE10 0HW;
Event Marketing Solutions, Cheshire, CH65 4LQ; Human Recognition Systems,
Liverpool, L13 1FB; Imerja, Manchester, M15 4PS; Lick UK Ltd, Elland, HX5
9DN; Place Group Ltd, Manchester, M3 4LZ and Quayside Clothing Limited,
Manchester, M17 1EH

Source: National Business Awards

For further information and images please contact: The National Business Awards, Henriette Svensen - Communications Manager, Telephone: +44(0)20-7234-8753/ +44(0)750-091-7628, Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com

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