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East Midlands businesses celebrate outstanding achievements at emda’s premier awards ceremony
25/03/2009
Last night, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) hosted the HighGrowth East Midlands Awards to celebrate the achievements of companies participating in its flagship business support programme, HighGrowth East Midlands.
Businesses from across the East Midlands gathered at the black-tie event in Leicester to congratulate and recognise the efforts of fellow members. Keynote speaker Sir Ranulph Fiennes BT OBE joined host Angela Rippon OBE to honour the programme’s top achievers.
Dynex Semiconductor Limited emerged as the top winner, scooping up the prestigious HighGrowth East Midlands Business of the Year Award, reserved for a top performing company seen as an exemplar in its market. Lincoln based Dynex, designer and manufacturer of semiconductors for power electronic systems, has a global reputation for engineering and R&D excellence. Dynex has ambitions to be a global leader in product development and the support provided by HighGrowth East Midlands has helped it to prepare for new expansion opportunities – the company forecasts to more than double turnover in four years to £40 million in 2012, up from £18.5 million in 2008.
On winning the coveted award, Dynex CEO Paul Taylor, stated: “I am very pleased that Dynex has won this award, and to have been involved in the programme, as it recognises all the hard work that our company and our employees have put in.”
Northamptonshire based Novacroft picked up the High Growth Award, given to a company demonstrating a significant track record of high growth and delivering an innovative and compelling business strategy. Novacroft designs, develops and manages innovative smart ticketing solutions in the transport sector for customers including Transport for London and the Scottish Government. HighGrowth East Midlands has helped them to apply a creative approach to solutions in the transport ticketing sector, which will contribute to an annual increase in turnover of more than 30%, from £5.1m in 2008 to a forecasted £6.7m in 2009.
Managing Director Debra Charles proclaimed after accepting the award: “I’m absolutely delighted. This award is a recognition of the team’s talent and how they can make a vision a reality.”
Finalists for the High Growth Award included Nottinghamshire based Asiana Limited and Derbyshire based Critical Skills (UK) Limited.
Rieke Packaging Systems Limited won the Growth Readiness Award, given to a company showing outstanding growth potential and a clear vision. The Leicester based manufacturer of pumps and dispensers for the medical, food & hair care industries has a long history of innovation, and customers ranging from Unilever to Starbucks to L’Oreal. HighGrowth East Midlands has helped the company to develop a strong plan to increase growth, and they are forecasting a 2011 turnover of over £20m, up from just under £13m in 2008.
On receiving the award, Rieke Managing Director Mark Box commented: “This is fantastic. It is a validation of the hard work put in by all who work at Reike and it spurs us on to keep going.”
Finalists for the Growth Readiness Award included Nottinghamshire based Formation Training and Development Limited and Derbyshire based Knight Warner Limited.
The Growth Enabler Professional Excellence Award was presented to coach Sarah Coleman of Nottinghamshire based The Business Evolution Business Limited. The award is reserved for a business coach that has participated in the Growth Enabler professional development programme designed to enhance the quality of business coaching available across the East Midlands. Sarah Coleman, an East Midlands Business Champion and guest lecturer at Cranfield School of Management and Nottingham Law School, was recognised for her high level of experience and capability in coaching.
Launched in January 2008, more than 70 companies from across the East Midlands are currently participating in HighGrowth East Midlands. Comprising two programmes, Growth Readiness and High Growth, it is designed to increase profits, enhance competitiveness and create the conditions for long-term success. For many participants, it is providing the extra bit of help that businesses need to turn the challenges of the current economic climate into opportunities for growth.
Speaking at the awards dinner, Michael Carr, emda’s Executive Director of Business Services said: “I’d like to congratulate all this evening’s winners, they are excellent examples of the many innovative and growing businesses in the East Midlands. Tonight’s awards showcased some of the region’s best up and coming businesses”.
“HighGrowth East Midlands is just one of emda’s business support programmes, accessed through Business Link, to help businesses grow, innovate and flourish. These awards remind us that despite the current economic challenges there are opportunities for growth and it is important that we recognise the successes of our region’s businesses.”
Applications for HighGrowth East Midlands’ Growth Readiness programme will be accepted until 30th June. Interested businesses can apply online at www.hgeastmidlands.com or call the helpline on 0845 365 4769 for further information.
Submitted by Sarah Crennell