Final call for entries by July 18th
Business still have time to get their name up in lights when the second annual Wandsworth Business Awards are held at the Roehampton Club on Thursday, November 6th 2014, by getting their entries in via a simple online process.
The closing date is Friday July 18th.
Last Year's winner was Business Launchpad and Sarah Rust, a business counsellor for the charity which supports young entrepreneurs, says: “To receive the award for Business of the Year was really fantastic, especially as a business that supports businesses. That gives us wicked kudos. If people can believe that we will support businesses then getting the Business of the Year award really speaks for itself.
“Each of us was involved at one time or another in the whole process of applying for that award and we really enjoyed it.
“To be recognised by a strong network of businesses for our work support pre and post start-up businesses, coinciding with us celebrating our 25th anniversary year, gave us a great sense of achievement and confidence.”
Business Launchpad’s much-loved chief executive Colin Sambrook was able to collect the award on the evening but, sadly, he passed away in February this year. Sarah adds: “The team would really like to dedicate our thanks to our Colin. In his three-and-a-half years at Business Launchpad, during a time when many businesses were perhaps considering letting employees go, he grew our team from just under ten to just under 20 employees - predominantly employing females at least half of which are working mothers.
“His ethics were a positive impact in the community, starting at the home, and he really wanted to champion people for businesses who may not usually get the opportunity.
“His vision was for us to become better known throughout London. He wanted us to be the leading supporter of businesses so this award goes some way to helping us believe that we can achieve that.
“The fact that Colin was there to collect the award gives us the inspiration we need to continue the great work of the charity in his absence.”
Business Launchpad offers free practical and personalised business guidance and support to 16 to 30 year olds who want to set up their own business and, since 1988, has supported more than 5,000 young people.
Steve Pinto, chief executive of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, said: “I got to know Colin last year and that culminated in the business awards. I represented the chamber at his funeral and it was the most amazing turnout. He was a very special man, he was a legend in Wandsworth Town Hall what he was trying to do for Business Launchpad came from the heart.”
As well as The Tax Guys and the Roehampton Club, the awards are being backed by a number of prominent Wandsworth businesses including Wandsworth Council, GreenZone, South Thames College, Southside Wandsworth, and Wandsworth and South London Press.
Categories for the 2014 awards are Best SME Business, Best Business for Customer Service, Best Business for Training Development, Entrepreneur of the Year, Commitment to the Community, Best New Business, Best Green Business, Best Independent Retailer, Best Business for Marketing & Social Media, Pub of the Year, Restaurant of the Year.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available – for more details contact the Awards Team on 020 8774 5964 or e-mail info@wandsworthbusinessawards.com
July 8, 2014