The Enterprise Challenge Initiative
James Brown from Grant Thornton tells us what he's looking for in businesses entering The Enterprise Challenge Initiative.
Proxama
Bowes of Norfolk Ltd
This award is aimed at either individuals or teams within business enterprises. Above all, it seeks to recognise firms that embody the spirit of true enterprise; companies that embrace new ideas and entrepreneurship as a key part of their culture. The award also welcomes companies that can demonstrate how flair, new initiatives and new directions have resulted in significant growth.
2009 Winner
NWES - Kevin Horne, chief executive:- "NWES is a company built on enterprise; it filters through every part of the organisation including helping our clients take their own first steps as entrepreneurs. All of our staff members demonstrate real enterprise – it comes from within. Winning this award is exciting and pushes us even harder to grasp the opportunities which inevitably come during a period of recession. This is a proud moment in our history."2009 Finalists
Brown & CoA firm of chartered surveyors, property consultants and business consultants with offices in London, East Midlands and East Anglia as well as Poland and St Lucia - merged with established chartered surveyors Francis Hornor & Son in 1996 and continues to develop innovative ideas to help clients. The residential division has developed a significant presence in the local property auction sales market and this is progressing well, using modern technology such as vodcasting to explain the process to consumers. This service is continuing to expand with high-profile marketing and a real desire to help local vendors obtain good quality sales advice and results. Brown & Co's move into the residential property auction sector has given a significant boost to the turnover of the business in an otherwise difficult property marketplace.
NWES
NWES has been helping pre-start, start-up and existing businesses since 1982. The enterprise agency offers a range of business support, covering finance, advice, training and premises in the east of England, aimed at anyone who would like help and support in starting or growing a business. NWES deals with more than 500 business start-ups each year with a client base of more than 4,000. It is the largest of 130 enterprise agencies in the UK. The impact of the recession is being offset by the number of start-ups in this area. NWES has also expanded its operations into Harlow St Neots.
Pine Solutions
Pine Solutions is the UK's largest online furniture retailer. Since it was founded in 2002, the company has witnessed unprecedented organic growth, annually selling from a range of pine, oak and painted furniture to more than 26,000 customers across the UK and Ireland. Recently featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100, the company has seen a rise in sales of 58pc and boasts a customer satisfaction rating of 94pc. The company is carbon neutral thanks to an offsetting scheme whereby customers are invited to contribute 50p per order, with the funds going toward a reforestation scheme.
Sponsored by:
Grant Thornton UK LLP is a leading business and financial adviser with offices in 29 locations nationwide. The firm is represented in East Anglia by offices in Norwich, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. Led by over 270 partners and employing more than 4,100 of the profession's brightest minds, Grant Thornton delivers unparalleled service standards and tailor-made solutions to over 40,000 corporate and individual clients - including assurance, tax and specialist advice to entrepreneurial businesses. Grant Thornton provides an individual perspective to help businesses reach their goal by developing solutions designed to meet the needs of both the business and its owners.