Valldata Group, the Melksham-based outsourcing partner for the charity sector, is competing for one of the region’s most prestigious businesses awards.
It is in the running against three other firms PwC’s West of England Business of the Year Awards 2012’s category for firms turning over less than £25m or employing fewer than 100 employees.
Also shortlisted for this award are Cut4Cloth, the Cornish-based maker of Frugi organic kids’ clothes, printed circuit boards maker Graphic, and piping systems manufacturer Pipex – both based in Devon.
Since their launch 24 years ago the awards, which this year are staged in association with Bath Business News, have gained a reputation built firmly on the thoroughness of the judging panel, which is made up of respected business figures from across the region.
Previous winners read like a who’s who of the West’s best business elite.
Tracey Bentham, PwC partner and chair of the judges for this category, said: “This has been an extremely strong year for this category with a truly impressive array of applications and it is my pleasure to announce the four finalists.”
The winners will be announced alongside the winner in the category for companies turning over more than £25m or with 100-plus employees at a gala dinner on June 20 at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel which will be hosted by ITV West & Westcountry presenter Ian Axton.
Shortlisted for the larger business award are three Swindon firms – family-run construction firm Beard, JB Global, the fast-growing oak furniture retailer, and FTSE-listed newspaper, magazine and book wholesaler Smiths News – along with Bristol subsea cabling firm Offshore Marine Management, Cornish brewer St Austell Brewery Company and Swallowfield, the Somerset-based cosmetic, personal care and household goods manufacturer.
PwC regional chairman Rob Lewis said: “The awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate businesses in the West for their success, achievements and contribution to the regional economy.”
This year the awards will be supporting the NSPCC and the charity’s South West corporate manager Karen Drew said: “In 2012 the NSPCC will be working locally with those children and families who are most at risk by opening state-of-the-art service centres in Bristol, Plymouth and Swindon offering pioneering programmes at the cutting edge of child protection.
“We are thrilled that PwC has chosen to support the NSPCC and our new local services at such a well-regarded event in the West region business calendar.”
Bath Business News is supporting the Business of the Year Awards alongside its sister websites Bristol Business News and Swindon Business News. Other supporters are Beacon South West, ITV West & Westcountry and the Western Daily Press.
