Karren Brady and Nectar Business on the look out for Britain's Best Small Businesses

The sixth annual Nectar Business Small Business Awards launches today, led by leading business woman and star of BBC 1’s The Apprentice, Karren Brady CBE.

The Awards - which are free to enter - celebrate the achievements of successful small businesses and business people across the UK.  They are judged by a panel of respected industry figures including Karren Brady, Will Shuckburgh, managing director of Nectar UK, Nathan Palmer of BOC, Richard Carvell of Viking and 2013 winner and founder of Goody Good Stuff, Melissa Burton.

The successful entrants will receive £2,000 cash and 50,000 Nectar points, as well as competing for the unique opportunity to meet and receive tailored expert advice from Karren Brady at the Nectar Business Round Table event – to be held later in the year.

Open for entries between 10 March and 30 April 2014, the Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of small businesses in the UK and now also include a new category; Home Grown Business of the Year. All SMEs, social enterprises, charities and entrepreneurs that demonstrate innovative and sustainable business ideas are invited to enter as many categories relevant to their business:

·  Small Business of the Year

·  Innovation of the Year

·  Home Grown Business of the Year

·  Entrepreneur of the Year

·  Tradesperson of the Year

·  Contribution to the Community

Karren Brady, who returns as a judge, comments: “I’m really looking forward to being involved with the Nectar Business Small Business Awards again this year.  Last year’s Nectar Business roundtable gave me the opportunity to meet some of the UK’s brightest business stars and take part in some lively and engaging conversations. Sitting in the boardroom, it’s easy to forget how many inspirational small businesses and business ideas are out there. I think the new category of Home Grown Business of the Year will add an exciting dimension to this year’s Awards.”

Will Shuckburgh, managing director of Nectar UK, added: “Having run the awards for six years, we know the determination and hard work it takes to manage a small business.  I encourage all UK SMEs to enter as many categories as possible, to have their commitment and drive recognised and rewarded.

“Through the Small Business Awards, we really want to highlight best in class practice and champion the future leaders of business in the UK. A category win, or even a nomination, is a great way to demonstrate this to customers and business partners for any SME looking to make their mark and get ahead.”

As in previous years, the Contribution to the Community Award will be open to public vote, where fans of facebook.com/nectarbusiness page will have their say, helping the five judges decide on who should be this year’s winners.

Businesses can enter as many categories as they like for free. Simply visit:  www.nectar-business.com/SBA2014 to download an entry form and to determine each category’s criteria. Entries can then be submitted online, via email or post.

-ENDS-

For more press information or images please contact the Nectar Business PR team on:

clarionnectarbusiness@clarioncomms.co.uk / 0207 479 0910

Notes to Editors

Nectar Business Small Business Awards Social Media:

Twitter:  @nectarbusiness  #NBsba14
Facebook:  facebook.com/nectarbusiness

Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2014 Judges:

·  Karren Brady CBE: Karren is a leading business woman, star of BBC 1’s The Apprentice, the government’s small business ambassador and vice-chairman of West Ham United.

·  Will Shuckburgh: Will is managing director of Nectar UK. He took on this new role last year, having previously held the position of managing director of European commercial development at Nectar’s parent company, Aimia.

·  Nathan Palmer: Nathan is director of bulk and packaged gases at BOC, a Nectar Business partner. He joined BOC in 2002 and has held senior positions in Group strategy, general management and sales leadership.

·  Richard Carvell: Richard is director of sales and marketing at Viking, a Nectar Business partner. He is a senior business leader with extensive experience in direct and business to business commerce, general management and operations.

·  Melissa Burton: Melissa won the Small Business of the Year Award in the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2013. She is the founder of Goody Good Stuff, a Heysham-based confectionary brand which specialises in natural gummy sweets.

About Nectar Business

·  Launched in January 2005, Nectar Business has over 600,000 business collectors

·  Nectar Business partners include: Viking, BOC, Dulux Decorator Centres, Brakes, DHL, Hertz and American Express

·  Collect points online with over 500 retailers – including Viking, Currys, Argos, McAfee, PC World Business

·  Other Nectar partners include: eBay, Sainsbury’s, BP, Homebase and British Gas

·  Nectar Business cardholders turn their points into rewards with partners including; Argos, Vue and easyJet