CHAMBER NEWS Time’s running


out to enter your business in the Chamber’s


Business Awards Andy Bedford


Towergate joins as the latest Chamber Patron


One of the largest corporate and SME insurance brokers in the UK, Towergate Insurance, has become the latest patron of the Chamber. Towergate, of Meridian


Business Park, Leicester, provides almost any insurance, risk management advice and insurance solutions with national and local technical insurance experts in the UK. Chamber patrons include


organisations that want to take an influential and prominent role in the local business community and share the values that drive the Chamber forward. Andy Bedford, East Midlands Area Director of Towergate Insurance, said: “I have been aware of the great work the Chamber conducts for some time and we are delighted to take up patronage with the Chamber. We are eager to develop new relationships with the Chamber, fellow patrons and members.” Chamber Chief Executive


Scott Knowles added: “I am delighted to welcome Towergate into patronage. Chamber patrons are a powerful force in influencing policy, driving economic growth and development and equipping smaller businesses with the knowledge and skills that are vital to their future. “Towergate will bring to the Chamber skills and expertise to complement those of the other patrons to evolve something which is, together, greater than the sum of its parts.” The Chamber currently has


24 Patrons, including Air-IT, Blueprint, PKF Cooper Parry, Toyota Manufacturing UK, Westfield Health, Wilko, several universities and now Towergate.


26 business network May 2018


The deadline for entries to this year’s prestigious and highly anticipated Chamber Business Awards is 5pm on Friday 18 May. The Chamber’s Business Awards


are the only annual industry honours where submissions are judged purely by corporate peers. And they are the only county-by-


county accolades that offer winners a chance to compete on the national stage of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Awards. The winner of the 2017 East Midlands Chamber Nottinghamshire Outstanding Growth Award – iCON Aerospace Technology, of Retford – went on to win the BCC High Growth Business of the Year Award for increasing turnover by 30% and creating 150 jobs in two years. The company is a world leader in


highly-engineered products utilising polymers in sealing, containment, propulsion and protection systems worldwide. Scott Knowles, the Chamber’s


Chief Executive, said: “You can’t overestimate the value of taking part in awards. They make organisations focus on what they do best, offer opportunities for outward promotion, raise the kudos of the firm and make employees more proud to belong to the organisation. It’s win-win at every level. “The Chamber’s Business Awards


are one of the most contested and prestigious awards programmes and the only ones that offer winning businesses on a county- wide basis the chance to compete on a regional and national scale.” Organisations can enter as many


awards categories as they like. The categories for each of the three counties are Apprentice of the year, Business Improvement Through Technology, Commitment to People Development, Community Impact, Education and Business Partnership, Entrepreneur of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Excellence in International Trade, Manufacturer of the Year,


10 REASONS TO ENTER THE CHAMBER’S BUSINESS AWARDS


Open exclusively for Chamber members, reasons to enter the Chamber’s Business Awards include – but are not limited to – the following:


1. It’s open to all members Whatever the size of your business, all Chamber members have a chance to win Chamber Awards - whether you are small start-up or a larger organisation with hundreds of employees, our awards are open to every organisation in membership.


2. You can tailor it to your business There are 12 categories to choose from so you can consider which are the most suitable for your business or organisation and what’s more, if you win your category you could be a national winner too.


3. It’s free There is no charge to enter any of the awards, so there’s no excuse not to take that all-important next step.


4. Raise your profile Chamber award winners will be recognised during a gala awards dinner attended by Chamber Board, directors, local media and high profile representatives from businesses across the East Midlands region.


5. Boost morale Entering the Chamber’s Business Awards is a very cost-effective way to thank your valued employees, suppliers and stakeholders for their efforts and accomplishments.


6. Exposure for your business The awards scheme and gala awards dinners will be actively promoted across multiple communication channels, including the Chamber’s website, eshot programme, social media, this publication, as well as at numerous Chamber events and seminars throughout the year.


7. Gain a competitive edge The Chamber Business Awards are a great way to benchmark and celebrate your achievements against competitors in your industry.


8. Network with the best Award entrants will be able to network and meet with award sponsors, Chamber directors and employees as well as other likeminded businesses at the various events arranged as part of the awards programme – and who knows what value might come from these introductions and connections.


9. It’s a benchmark of excellence Chamber award finalists and winners can promote their success of award application using a relevant dedicated logo to display on their own stationery, press releases, website, social media, internal communications to staff or in any other way that will maximise awareness.


10. You could gain national recognition Selected award category winners will be put forward for inclusion in the national British Chambers of Commerce Awards, so you could achieve national recognition for your achievements too.


Marketing Campaign of the Year, Outstanding Growth and Small Business of the Year. One of the category winners will


also scoop the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Mazars, one of Europe’s largest accounting


firms and headline sponsor of the Chamber’s awards programme.


For further details and to download county-specific application forms visit www.emc- dnl.co.uk/businessawards


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