THE sponsors of one of the most prestigious events in the business calendar have voiced their support for the annual event.

Some of the biggest and brightest names in local and national commerce have told why they chose to put their names to the Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2008.

The awards, now in their third year, celebrate the best that local business has to offer at a glittering gala event.

All 10 categories at this year's event are sponsored by leading firms in the area.

RBS will sponsor the Business of the Year award. Dave Jones, director of commercial banking, believes business talent needs to be recognised.

He said: "We have been involved with the awards since they started. Anything that recognises and promotes the entrepreneurial spirit across Bolton and Bury is worth something.

"We are interested in supporting this and we have been involved in it for three years. It is, without any doubt, the most anticipated event in the business calendar for Bolton and Bury."

Tophams Group is investing heavily in the redevelopment of Bolton town centre and is currently leading a major redevelopment of the Merchant's Quarter. The company will sponsor the award for Start-up Business of the Year.

Sales and marketing director John Jarvis said: "We were involved in the awards night last year and were fortunate to win business of the year.

"The group has been around in Bolton for more than 80 years now and it is very nice to see business coming through.

"For that reason, we were very attracted to sponsoring the category. We are reliant on new business being successful in Bolton to the extent that they want to buy office space from us."

Clough & Willis Solicitors will sponsor the Customer Excellence Awards. Managing partner Shefali Talukdar said: "We are delighted once again to support the Bolton and Bury Business Awards having enjoyed being a sponsor since their launch in 2005.

"Clough & Willis is proud to sponsor the Customer Excellence category at this year's award ceremony. The awards are an ideal opportunity to showcase our business and demonstrate the firm's commitment to the local business community."

The Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Business of the Year is sponsored by Chartered Accountancy CLB Coopers. The firm has four offices in the North of England, with the Bolton office specialising in audit, account, tax and payroll services.

Bolton office managing partner Mark Worsley said: "This year we are sponsoring the SME Business of the Year award which is an ideal fit with our own strategy.

"SME businesses represent a significant percentage of our own client base, so we fully understand their needs and the issues they face. We are looking forward to recognising the immense local talent in the Bolton and Bury area."

Business Person of the Year is sponsored by KBL Solicitors, which offers commercial and corporate advice to businesses and employees from its Mawdsley Street offices.

Marketing manager Gill Hart said: "KBL is delighted to continue its involvement with the prestigious Business Awards. The 2008 awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the success and achievements of local enterprise.

"Year on year, the awards are attracting a wider audience and continue to go from strength to strength."

As one of the most famous family businesses in the country, Warburtons will again sponsor the Family Business of the Year award.

Mike Mason, business development manager at Warburtons, believes a family atmosphere in the workplace is great for business.

He said: "Warburtons is a fifth-generation family business and Bolton born and bred, so we are delighted to again be supporting Bolton and Bury's Family Business of the Year Award and wish all the entrants the very best of luck."

O2 employs more than 1,500 people in the Bury area and recently came third in the Sunday Times 20 Best Big Companies To Work For list. It is sponsoring the Community Award at this year's event.

Karan Martin, head of customer service at O2 Bury, said: "O2 is at the heart of Bury and believes that being a good neighbour is important for a company that employs so many local people.

"We are equally proud of the O2 It's Your Community campaign that is awarding grants of up to £1,000 to many local groups who are getting together and making a difference to where they live."

AXA Insurance was another winner in the Sunday Times list being voted as 19th Best Big Company to Work For by its 450 staff at The Parklands base in Horwich.

It is sponsoring the Schools Enterprise Awards and is keen for business and education to work closely together.

Pat Brady, head of learning and development at AXA Insurance, said: "We have had an association with Bolton since 1903 and during the past 100 years, we have had some very good staff from the town.

"We want to continue to support and help the local schools, so they can provide future employees, not just for AXA, but for other businesses in the area."

NatWest Bank in Bolton has recently won a string of awards for its customer service in intra-company competitions. It is sponsoring the Technology, Innovation and Design award.

Scott Parkinson, area director for Bolton and Bury, said: "Great products alone aren't enough to fully service the needs of our customers. They have to be backed up by expert advice and effective relationship management.

"My team at NatWest are highly trained to support and advise local businesses as we firmly believe that small businesses are the lifeblood of the local economy. We are proud to sponsor the technology & innovation award, as we know that for a small business to prosper, it is essential that they take advantage of all the help they can get."

Business Bolton is the overall sponsor for the awards. Cllr Akhtar Zaman, the council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Local businesses make an enormous contribution to providing jobs and prosperity in the area and these awards provide an important platform for celebrating their achievements and promoting the benefits of local enterprise."

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