AXA

AXA is calling on businesses across Wales & the West Country to enter the Wales & West Country AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.

By winning the Award, not only will the regional winner have the chance of being applauded by their peers throughout the region, they will also win a day's support from an AXA Business Consultant and the chance to go forward to the National Business Awards final in London in November which Gordon Brown has called the 'Business Oscars'.

The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award will recognise businesses for their entrepreneurship and innovation and will seek to highlight the importance of management excellence in maintaining a successful business today and continuing to grow it in the future.

In addition to winning a day with an AXA Business Consultant, if the regional winner is successful in the national grand final they will win a place on the AXA SME Masterclass that takes place at a Chateau in France. Over the three-day course - where all costs will be covered - the 15 delegates will have their management and business skills finely tuned by some of AXA's leading business experts. A place on the course would normally cost £10,000.

To enter the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, businesses can register at: www.axa4business.co.uk, where they can also find tips on how to produce a winning entry, which should demonstrate innovation, substantial growth and strong financial performance.

Andy Dodwell of Moneypenny, last year's Wales & West Country winner, said: “Winning the Wales & West Country AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award was a great accolade for the team at Moneypenny. The recognition of the exceptional standards set by the team here and of the enormous contribution they have made towards many thousands of businesses across the UK has helped our business considerably. Following on from the amazing awards ceremony Moneypenny has continued to go from strength to strength.”

Businesses must act quickly to be eligible for the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, as all regional entries must have been submitted by 21 March, with the final judging taking place in May. Regional winners will be announced in July and will then be entered into the national competition. The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year will be crowned at the national ceremony at The Grosvenor Hotel in London on 7 November.

Lou Macari, the AXA Wales & West Country Regional Judge, said: “The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award is now in its second year and will identify, in the first instance, the Wales & West Country's most innovative and dynamic business. We then hope our regional winner will go onto the National Finals and bring the National Award back to Wales & the West Country.

“We are very pleased to be sponsoring this Award to support businesses, and we strongly encourage small and medium sized businesses to review their strengths and successes and enter the award.”