THE BCC AND MICROSOFT ARE ON THE LOOK OUT BRITAIN’S BEST TECH - SAVVY AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Microsoft are encouraging the UK’s most tech-savvy and innovative small and medium sized businesses to enter this year’s Chamber Awards. Now in its fourth year, the Chamber Awards 2007 aims to recognise outstanding business achievement within the UK business community.

The judging panel is interested in discovering how technology has made a significant difference to both to small (under 50 employees) and medium (over 50 employees) businesses.

Peter Mileham,” President of the BCC commented: Technology solutions are a crucial part of business today. Some of the most successful and promising businesses put technology at the heart of what they do and many have developed unique ways of really exploiting the benefits they can bring. Those small and medium businesses should be recognised for what they have achieved and perhaps inspire others to follow their lead.”

Scott Dodds, Senior Director of Microsoft’s SME and Partners Group said: “Microsoft is passionate about technology and the effect that it can bring to small and medium businesses. New technologies are transforming every product and service, every part of the production process and every sector of the economy. More than half of the respondents to a recent Microsoft survey stated that out of all investments, technology has had the greatest positive effect on their business. We are looking to recognise companies that take advantage of the opportunities that technology brings in helping to retain and win customers, improve employee performance people and drive business performance.

There are eight different categories of awards and companies can enter as many as they wish. The categories comprise;

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 the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony on 29th November 2007 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Last year this was won by AESSEAL PLC - a seal manufacturing company. It won the award for its exemplary standards in product design and innovation, business ambition, and its impressive financial performance. Judges felt that the company was a much needed role model to other businesses in the manufacturing sector.

Peter Mileham, President of the BCC commented “Judging these Awards makes me very proud of British business. Each year I am struck by the creative and innovative approaches that directors are using to set their businesses apart from their competitors. I’m delighted that we are in position to reward the UK’s most deserving business so handsomely for its efforts.”

The Chamber Awards will be judged in two stages at both a regional and national level and will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London on the 29th November 2007.

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 25th June 2007 June 2007. Any entries submitted by 31st May 2007 will be entered into a prize draw to win £150 worth of Marks and Spencer vouchers

The Awards are open to all businesses.

- 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
Or
Stuart Handley at Purple Rabbit (on behalf of the BCC)
Tel: 07738 93 34 44
Email: stuart.handley@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.