Local firms named as national award finalists
An environmentally-friendly waste management firm and an aerial photography business are among the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire businesses competing for the British Chamber of Commerce awards.
Training company Evolution Training from Chesterfield; Vital Earth from Ashbourne; Upper Cut Productions from Nottingham and industrial equipment supplier Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies based near Newark, have all been shortlisted in the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2011 Business Awards.
The companies go into the national finals after scooping the regional awards in their respective categories.
Evolution Training won the regional Most Promising New Business title, whilst Vital Earth was named East Midlands Business of the Year and also won the regional Sustainability Award.
Upper Cut Productions scooped the regional Innovation Through Technology Award, whilst Hall-Fast won the regional Achievement in International Business Award. Owner Malcolm Hall was also named East Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "All have demonstrated commitment, creativity and a determination to succeed during what has been another challenging year and it’s absolutely fantastic that Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have enjoyed so much success at the regional awards, with representatives in three categories at the prestigious national business awards in November.
"Out of the nine regional awards this year, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire produced finalists in six of the categories, which once again provides compelling evidence that these two counties truly are the engine room of the East Midlands economy."
