Businesses and entrepreneurs in south Wales are being encouraged to enter this year’s Welsh Business Awards to highlight their business achievements.
Supported by the University of Glamorgan, the awards are now open for entry and celebrate business excellence through the successes and achievements of the Accredited Chambers of Commerce and their members. There are ten categories in total including International Company of the Year, Most Promising Growth Business, Entrepreneur of the Year. An award for the Welsh Company of the Year is sponsored by the South Wales Chamber of Commerce.
The awards are one of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce’s flagship events and will culminate in a ceremony at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on 28 February 2013.
Graham Morgan, director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “Although we have started to see the confidence within the south Wales business community return over the last year, it remains a very challenging time for businesses.
“It is more important than ever to build on this momentum and showcase our successes, particularly when ‘Brand GB’ continues to ride high in the eyes of the world. These awards will prove that it is still possible to succeed despite the current climate, as well as recognise those making a difference in the Welsh business world.”
Monica Gibson-Sweet, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Society at the University said: “Glamorgan is delighted to sponsor the business awards and play a role in recognising achievement of the companies and entrepreneurs who are driving Wales’ economic growth.”
Last year saw the title of Welsh Company of the Year go to Industrial Automation and Control (IAC), an electrical systems integrator on the outskirts of Newport. Rather than laying people off when the recession hit, IAC Group made a commitment to the workforce to retain as many people as possible and has successfully weathered the economic storm.
Speaking about the achievement, Peter Lewis, managing director of IAC Group said: “The Welsh Company of the Year award is one of the most coveted awards in Wales, and I was absolutely thrilled when IAC was selected as last year’s winner.
“We’ve worked hard to grow the business, in spite of the turbulent economic times that we’ve all been facing, and our determination to see it through has paid off. The award recognised the contribution that all staff have made to IAC’s success.”
Graham Morgan added: “The awards show just what can be achieved by businesses here in Wales and I hope that the success of IAC and others will act as an inspiration to all of this year’s entrants.”
Businesses can enter the awards by downloading an application form from the website www.southwaleschamber.co.uk