Supporters sought for Mertons inaugural Business Awards

www.mertonbusinessawards.co.uk

The hunt is on for Merton companies to support the borough’s inaugural business awards, celebrating the best companies in the borough.

Merton Business Awards, in association with WSM Partners LLP, have been developed by Merton Chamber of Commerce and South London Business, in order to reward and celebrate the many dynamic and innovative businesses in the borough.

The awards have already attracted several major sponsors, including Morrisons Solicitors, Valpak, Lloyds TSB and Time and Leisure as well as WSM Partners LLP, and are due to officially launch next month at Merton Chamber of Commerce’s AGM. They will culminate with a grand Awards ceremony later in the year which aims to become a major annual event in the Merton business calendar.

Sponsorship partners are currently being sought for each of the award categories and for the official Awards ceremony itself, giving key businesses in the borough the opportunity to associate with one of Merton’s most prestigious events.

Ross Feeney, Director of Business Support, South London Business Ltd, said: “We are delighted to launch the inaugural Merton Business Awards. We may be in a recession, but we still need to reward and celebrate our business community - and acknowledge Merton’s success stories."
Diana Sterck, Chief Executive, Merton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Agency, added: “As the borough based Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Agency, we are very excited about the awards. They will help put Merton businesses on the map in these challenging economic times.”

Sponsoring Merton Business Awards not only provides the ideal platform for businesses to showcase themselves to some of Merton’s most vibrant businesses, but also provides the opportunity to become a key partner in the Awards process and share in the benefits of defining and rewarding business excellence in the borough.

A spokesman for main sponsor WSM Partners LLP said: “WSM has been at the heart of the business community in Merton for more than 35 years. Our firm has been based in Wimbledon since its inception and we are therefore delighted to be at the forefront of this inaugural business awards event, which we trust will establish itself as a premier event in the South London business calendar.

Paul Harvey, managing partner at Morrisons Solicitors, sponsor of the Entrepreneur of the Year category, added: “The Awards are a great initiative which we want to support and help to develop over coming years.  Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of the business economy and the UK economy as a whole.”

Duncan Simpson, Director of Marketing & Sales at Valpak said “the awards are a great way of recognising the efforts of staff and business in delivering environmental change. The Merton Business Awards give companies the chance to showcase their efforts. Complying with all of the correct legislation on waste and environment is a must; however, being able to say what you have done above and beyond this is good business, good for your customers and good for the Merton area."
And Ian Noble, senior manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial with responsibility for the Merton and Wimbledon area, said the bank was excited to be sponsoring the Best Medium sized business category.

“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the success of local companies. We are always impressed by the wealth of talent, innovation and originality shown by businesses in the area.”

For further information on any of the sponsorship opportunities available through the Merton Business Awards 2010, please contact Katharine Glass on 07902 272009 or email info@mertonbusinessawards.org.

A sponsorship pack can be downloaded at www.mertonbusinessawards.co.uk where you will also find further details about the awards and regular updates on the event.