Businesses from across south and mid Wales will go head-to-head at the South Wales Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards on Thursday 28 February.
The awards are supported by the Glamorgan Business School and celebrate excellence, innovation and the significant achievements of the business community in Wales.
The 23 shortlisted businesses will compete in categories such as International Company of the Year, Most Promising Growth Business and Entrepreneur of the Year, and there will also be an award for Welsh Company of the Year, sponsored by the South Wales Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony will be hosted by the Welsh Paralympian, Aled Sion Davies MBE.
Graham Morgan, director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have started to see the confidence within the Welsh business community return over the last year and it is essential that we build on this momentum and showcase our successes.
“These awards will prove that it is still possible to succeed despite the current climate and recognise those making a difference in the Welsh business world.”
Dr Andrew Rogers, head of Glamorgan Business School, said: “I was thoroughly impressed with the calibre of entrants, and I had to make some difficult decisions when shortlisting because they are all fantastic companies.
“We at Glamorgan Business School are proud to sponsor the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2012 and it is a pleasure to see the huge number of highly successful businesses and business people who entered.
“It was obvious that even during the most difficult of economic periods, many have thrived in Wales and it is important that we continue to work with them and help them build on their success.”
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.
The winners of each category can progress through to the British Chamber of Commerce Awards when entries open in the spring, where they will be in with a chance to win £50,000.
The South Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards will take place at 12.00pm on Thursday 28 February at the Swansea Marriott Hotel.
Wales Business Awards – 2013 shortlist
The winner of the Welsh Company of the Year will be announced on the night.
Most Promising Growth
Circle IT, Cardiff
Retail Merchandising Services ltd, Langstone Business Park, Newport
Mrs Bucket Cleaning Services, Pontarddulais, Swansea
S&C Electric Europe Ltd, Swansea
Entrepreneur of the Year
Industrial Automation and Control Limited, Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate, Newport
Retail Merchandising Services ltd, Langstone Business Park, Newport
MudTrek Mountain Bike Breaks, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
International Company of the Year
Industrial Automation and Control Limited, Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate, Newport
Zip-Clip Ltd, Newtown, Powys
S&C Electric Europe Ltd, Swansea
Environmental Impact
S&C Electric Europe Ltd, Swansea
Croissant Neuf Summer Party, Monmouthshire
Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taff, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff
Excellence in Marketing
Confused.com, Cardiff
Golley Slater, Cardiff
Freshwater, Cardiff
Skills and People Development
Thomas Carroll Group plc, Caerphilly
Anthony A Davies Group, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Whittingham Riddell LLP, Newtown, Powys
Technology Innovation
Hudman Limited, Caldicot, Monmouthshire
Smarta Technology, Cardiff
Comparison Creator, Cwmbran, Torfaen
Business Start Up
MudTrek Mountain Bike Breaks, Carmarthen
Alison Richards Ceramics, Merthyr Tydfil
Pioneer Aircraft Ltd. Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
National Theatre Wales, Cardiff
Welsh Tourism Achievement
Celtic Quest Coasteering, Ambleston, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
MudTrek Mountain Bike Breaks, Carmarthen
The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Brecon, Powys