Double shortlisting for Britain’s Energy Coast at the National Enterprise Network Awards
Economic development organisation Britain’s Energy Coast (BEC) has been shortlisted for two prestigious categories in the National Enterprise Network (NEN) Awards.
The business support services provided by BEC are competing in the ‘Future of Enterprise Support’ and the ‘Local Enterprise Agency of the year’ categories. NEN has seen a 73 per cent increase in applications from members this year with 20 organisations shortlisted across eight categories.
The Future of Enterprise Support award recognises organisations that have adapted to a changing marketplace, being innovative in their approach to make activities successful, meanwhile the Local Enterprise Agency of the Year award recognises those that have worked hard to establish or maintain recognition and impact within their local communities.
Britain’s Energy Coast provides an extensive business support service, from Linkstart to help individuals set up there own business, to the Innovus programme to help turn technical ideas into commercial reality, through to the Energy Opportunities Supply Chain project to help companies win business in the energy sector. A corporate finance service is also offered to provide access to a range of grants and finance options. All services can be accessed free of charge throughout Allerdale and Copeland and to those firms looking to invest in the area. For more information visit www.britainsenergycoast.co.uk/business-support---projects.html
Steven Szostak, Chief Executive of Britain’s Energy Coast, said “It is a real credit to the Business Support team of Britain’s Energy Coast to be shortlisted for two such highly contended national awards. We are extremely proud of the achievements we have made in West Cumbria, where in the last year alone we have helped create almost 250 businesses, whilst assisting a further 290.”
The NEN awards were established in 2007 to recognise excellence in the delivery of enterprise support, encouraging the exchange of good practice and the development of improved services and organisations.
Dawn Whiteley, National Enterprise Network CEO, said “We know that the enterprise support organisations that make up the National Enterprise Network work hard to support their local start up clients and established businesses and we are pleased to be able to recognise their efforts on a national scale through our dedicated awards programme. We have been so impressed with all the applications and wish the shortlisted agencies all the best of luck in the next stage of the process.”
The shortlisted entries for each award category are currently in the process of being reviewed by the judging team, which includes Amanda Hurford, Assistant Director, Enterprise Directorate at the Department for Business, Innovation Skills and National Enterprise Network Chairman, Paul McEldon.
Winners will be announced during a dedicated awards presentation at the NEN Annual Conference on 15th November at the British Library in London.
