Sponsors of The North Essex Business Awards 2016

A shortlist of companies has now been announced for the annual North Essex Business Awards celebrating the very best business success in the area. Finalists will be announced at an awards ceremony being held at Braxted Park 1 July.

The awards were entered by small, medium and large companies that have shown a dedication to hard work and commitment. There are 13 award categories…

  • The North Essex Business AwardsNew Company
  • Small Business of the Year
  • Excellent Customer Service
  • Business to Business
  • Growing Business
  • Best Use of Social Media
  • Excellence in Marketing
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Community (Charity & Private)
  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Business Woman of the Year
  • Business Man of the Year

Sponsorship of the North Essex Business Awards

This year’s North Essex Business Awards are being sponsored by Essex County Council’s (ECC) Essex Innovation Programme and INVEST Essex. ECC is committed to business growth and actively promotes the county as a business solution through a number of business focussed programmes. The programmes work with businesses in Essex to maximise opportunity and return…

  • The Essex Innovation Programme (EIP) - a no fee programme of specialist expertise helping companies, both early stage and established, to develop their creative and innovative commercial ideas
  • INVEST Essex - works with businesses such as BT, IFDS and Woodland Logistics, as well as promoting the business solutions of Essex to businesses in the UK and abroad

The Essex Innovation Programme - growth through innovation

The Essex Innovation Programme (EIP) focuses on maximising opportunities for business growth through innovation. EIP is a simple yet highly effective format. EIP matches businesses, with potential for growth, with experienced private sector mentors with relevant specialist knowledge. Together the parties work on a project over a number of sessions to review and assess opportunity, define routes for success and implement recommendations.

EIP have seen companies succeed across a number of themes…

Product testing and validation for Excalibur Screwbolts

Crossrail

EIP worked with Excalibur Screwbolts to provide expertise in the testing of their Excalibur Screwbolt PLUS product and to provide evidence that this product would fulfil the stringent design life requirements of Crossrail.

“EIP added specialist business support via the Ford mentoring programme which provided us with valuable assistance in developing & marketing our new “Queens Award” winning high corrosion resistant Excalibur Screwbolt PLUS.”


John Stevens, Sales Manager, Excalibur Screwbolts

Cost cutting processes for Proform

Proform Europe

After market changes put them under threat, Proform Europe and EIP worked together which resulted in a major operational restructure of the business including the appointment of senior staff, savings of over £350,000 and streamlining IT systems. Proform are well on the road of transformation to generating profits of over £10million and are now the largest cast PU table manufacturer in Britain.

“Our Essex Innovation Programme mentor gave us his wealth of experience over a course of meetings, helping us to analyse budgets and put marketing strategies in place. We now have a £4.5 million turnover and are in discussions with Chinese manufacturers.”


Kevin Donne, MD, Proform Europe

About INVEST Essex

INVEST Essex promotes Essex as a prime UK business solution location to international and UK companies. Delivering a ‘total solution’ that can guide and support businesses through every stage of a business relocation or expansion project.

See here for more information on INVEST Essex.

About the North Essex Business Awards

North Essex Business Awards

The Essex Business Awards have been established for 20 years and are a local platform for celebrating the very best business successes in the area. The awards aim to develop a healthy, prosperous and substantial local economy making it a desirable area to work and live.

See here for more information on the North Essex Business Awards.

Source [Essex Business Awards]

Emma Wakeling
Emma Wakeling

Business Innovation Manager

Biography

Leading on the Essex Innovation Programme and developing new support mechanisms to enable Essex businesses to grow. Managing a team of experienced private sector business mentors who work closely with multi-sectoral established businesses and start-ups to embed innovative practices. Focusing on product (including intellectual property), process, organisational and marketing innovation. Developing key collaborative strategic partnerships with industry and academia.