Awards aim to show the best of small businesses

Daniel Whittemore, Head of Corporate Sales at Center Parcs, said: “SMEs play a vital role in the business community and it’s important that once a year time is taken out to recognise the achievements of members of the FSB.”

The FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards were launched to an audience of sponsors and potential entrants on February 12) at Basepoint, in Great Marlings, Luton,

Bedfordshire FSB Branch Chairman Ian Cording said: “It’s great to see Center Parcs show their commitment to the county’s small business community by getting behind these awards. Without a headline sponsor and all the other brilliant sponsors, these awards simply would not happen.”

Toma Habashi, Managing Director of Luton-based specialist media agency and new sponsor Silvertoad Ltd said winning a category at a previous FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards had helped the company win new business. “The fact that a prestigious business organisation has judged us to be a winner has definitely given us an edge,” he said.

Chris Harris, Regional Manager of sponsor Basepoint, said: “Basepoint and the FSB share the same ethos to see businesses grow and flourish. We are sure the standard of entries will be as high, if not higher, this year.”

Peter Cabon, Executive Director at the enterprise agency and sponsor Wenta, said: “Start up businesses are the lifeblood of the economy. By showcasing success we hope to encourage more people to make the step into starting up their own businesses.”

Center Parcs is sponsoring the Overall County Winner and Community Business of the Year.

The free-to-enter awards are open to any sole trader or company employing up to 250 employees in Bedfordshire, not just members of the FSB.

Entrants can go for glory in up to three different categories. From all these award winners, chosen by an independent panel of judges, will emerge the Overall County Winner.

For more information and to enter, visit www.fsb.org.uk/Beds-awards