Three Swindon firms have been named among the six finalists for accountants PwC’s West of England Business of the Year Awards 2012 – the region’s most prestigious business competition.
Since their launch 24 years ago the awards, which this year are staged in association with Swindon Business News, have gained a reputation built firmly on the thoroughness of the judging panel, which is made up of respected business figures from across the region.
Previous winners read like a who’s who of the West’s best business elite
Hoping to join them this year in the category for companies turning over more than £25m or with 100-plus employees, are family-run construction firm Beard, JB Global, the fast-growing oak furniture retailer, and FTSE-listed newspaper, magazine and book wholesaler Smiths News.
These three Swindon firms are competing against Bristol subsea cabling firm Offshore Marine Management, Cornish brewer St Austell Brewery Company and Swallowfield, the Somerset-based cosmetic, personal care and household goods manufacturer.
The awards also have a second category for businesses turning over less than £25m or employing fewer than 100 employees.
Shortlisted for this award are Valldata Group, the Melksham-based outsourcing partner for the charity sector, Cut4Cloth, the Cornish-based maker of Frugi organic kids’ clothes, printed circuit boards maker Graphic, and piping systems manufacturer Pipex – both based in Devon.
PwC regional chairman Rob Lewis said: “The awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate businesses in the West for their success, achievements and contribution to the regional economy.”
Nick Morgan, PwC partner and chair of the judges for the larger business category said: “Our accomplished independent judging panel have undertaken the extremely difficult task of reviewing the entries and selecting the finalists from an impressive number of nominations and it is my honour to announce this year’s finalists.”
Tracey Bentham, PwC partner and chair of the judges for the smaller business category added: “This has been an extremely strong year for this category with a truly impressive array of applications and it is my pleasure to announce the four finalists.”
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on June 20 at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel which will be hosted by ITV West & Westcountry presenter Ian Axton.
This year the awards will be supporting the NSPCC and the charity’s South West corporate manager Karen Drew said: “In 2012 the NSPCC will be working locally with those children and families who are most at risk by opening state-of-the-art service centres in Bristol, Plymouth and Swindon offering pioneering programmes at the cutting edge of child protection.
“We are thrilled that PwC has chosen to support the NSPCC and our new local services at such a well-regarded event in the West region business calendar.”
Swindon Business News is supporting the Business of the Year Awards alongside its sister websites Bristol Business News and Bath Business News. Other supporters are Beacon South West, ITV West & Westcountry and the Western Daily Press.
