05/06/06

LAST CHANCE TO WIN £25,000 FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Microsoft are encouraging UK businesses not to miss the chance to enter the 2006 Chamber Awards. The closing date for entries is the 26th June so there are only a few weeks to make submissions. Now in its third year the Chamber Awards aim to recognise outstanding business achievement within the UK business community.

There are seven different award categories and companies can enter as many as they wish. The categories comprise;

• Microsoft Award for Innovation Through Technology – sponsored by Microsoft
• Most Promising New Business – sponsored by BT
• Entrepreneur of The Year – sponsored by the Daily Telegraph Business Club
• Exporter of the Year
• Award for Skill and Workforce Development
• Business Commitment to the Community
• Business of the Year

The top prize of £25,000 will be awarded to the company that the judges agree should win the overall Award for Outstanding Business Achievement and will be announced along with the national winners at a Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London on the 23rd November 2006, the prize money is being provided by Microsoft.

Last year’s overall winner was Anthony Alan Foods of the Barnsley Chamber of Commerce. The company has the UK licence to manufacture cakes under the Weightwatchers brand. Using innovative and ground breaking technology, the company was able to produce a range of products that became instant market leaders and have remained so ever since despite fierce competition from existing incumbents in the market, all of whom are household names.

David Frost, Director General of the BCC said: “It is vital to recognise and celebrate excellence in business. The UK is home to some of the world’s most innovative companies and there are too few opportunities to recognise the hard work and contribution that business makes to our society. I urge businesses to enter the awards and gain the recognition they deserve.”

Natalie Ayers, Senior Director, Small & Medium Solutions & Partners
(SMA&P) Group for Microsoft added; "There are numerous small firms leveraging significant value from their use of technology and the Chamber Awards 2006 present an opportunity to reward such innovation. Microsoft is delighted to sponsor these awards and in doing so, we hope to celebrate and reward those small firms, which underpin the success of the UK economy."

The Chamber Awards will be judged in two stages at both a regional and national level. Entry forms and judging criteria can be obtained by visiting www.chamberawards.co.uk. All entry forms must be completed and submitted electronically. The closing date for all entries is 26th June 2006.

The Awards are open to any member company of an accredited Chamber of Commerce.

- ENDS -

For further information, case studies or requests for interviews please contact:

Judy Osborn at Purple Rabbit (on behalf of the BCC)

Tel: 07834 60 20 30
Email: judy.osborn@purplerabbit.co.uk

Notes to the editors:
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the authentic voice of British businesses. The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.