AXA

AXA is calling on businesses across Scotland to enter the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award , part of the National Business Awards programme for Scotland 2006.

By winning the Award, not only will the winner have the chance of being applauded by their peers throughout Scotland, they will also 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.

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.

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.

Ally Ballingall, Managing Director of Radio Tay, last year’s Scottish winner, said: “ Winning the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award was a great honour.  We're really proud of what we've achieved as a company and were thrilled to have all our efforts recognised, particularly as it was the first time we had entered. In fact, just entering really helped us as it made us think a lot about our business. The Awards ceremony was absolutely amazing and we have gone from strength to strength in the last year." 

Businesses must act now to be eligible for the Award, as all regional entries must have been submitted by 25 May, with the final judging taking place in July. Finalist will be announced in July. The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award will be crowned at the national ceremony at The Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on 14 September.

Mhairi Courtney of AXA and one of the judge’s of this year’s competition , said: “The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award is now in its second year and will identify Scotland ’s most innovative and dynamic business. We then hope our winner will benefit enormously through attending our AXA Masterclass next year in France .

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