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The shortlist for the 2009 Growing Business Awards, which spotlights "extraordinary UK businesses thriving despite the downturn," has been announced. Nominated in the New Products section is Anthony Lau’s Cyclehoops, a cycle parking stand which attaches to existing street furniture such as lamp-posts.
Lau’s design has won many other awards and is being specified by local authorities across the UK.
Now in their 11th year, the awards – organised by the CBI and Real Business magazine – identify and honour innovation, international expansion, customer excellence and new product development among the UK’s finest small and medium-sized businesses.
Categories include: Company of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, New Product of the Year, Green Business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Winners will be announced at the Growing Business Awards ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on Thursday November 26 2009.
This year’s Growing Business Awards shortlist features established names such as Lovefilm, which has captured 40 per cent of the UK DVD rental market; Dale Vince, CEO of green electricity supplier ecotricity; and 26 year-old entrepreneur Jamie Murray-Wells of Glasses Direct.
Award judges include Dragon’s Den’s Theo Paphitis, chairman of Ryman; and John Caudwell, founder of Phones4U).
Kate Pritchard, Managing Editor of Real Business magazine, said: “The energy and determination of this year’s Growing Business Awards candidates should fill us all with hope about Britain’s economic future.
“Their remarkable drive and abilities suggests that a new generation of small and mid-sized companies that will lead Britain’s recovery is emerging. What particularly struck us this year was how quickly a new business can change a marketplace. That fact should bring confidence to aspiring entrepreneurs.”
