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DONCASTER COMPANIES IN RUNNING FOR TOP BUSINESS AWARD

No less than four innovative Doncaster companies are in the running for a prestigious national business accolade.

Branton-based Yorkshire Wildlife Park was voted Yorkshire and Humber’s Business of the Year, an award sponsored by Westfield Health. Meanwhile Doncaster College, based in Chapel Drive, picked up the region’s Achievement in International Business award, sponsored by DHL Express, and express delivery service boss Gary Winterman from Anglo European Express (Doncaster) Ltd was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by BT Directories.

Townfields-based Commercial cleaning firm Solutions 4 Cleaning also won the regional award for Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by AXA PPP healthcare.
 
The businesses are now finalists in their categories for a national prize in the Chamber Awards hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce, which were created to celebrate the UK’s most successful businesses.

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The health of the UK’s economy relies upon the confidence of our businesses to grow, invest and create jobs. That’s why the British Chambers of Commerce has been working hard to ensure government makes good on its promises to encourage enterprise, and do everything in its power to help businesses grow.

“All the good things we want to see in society depend on business and wealth creation. These awards provide a snapshot of some of the most impressive companies from across the country. Many of these business owners are working day in day out to build upon the companies they have built from scratch, creating jobs in local communities, and contributing to the economic recovery we so desperately need. We’re delighted to be able to celebrate the success of these companies through the Chamber Awards.”

Gary Winterman has taken his company Anglo European Express (Doncaster) Ltd and diversified, capitalising on the business’ setting at Robin Hood Airport by creating an air cargo facility - and as a result increasing turnover by 20 per cent in three consecutive years.

Doncaster College picked up the international award for its development of further and higher educational products for the international market including bespoke training, consultancy, development of educational tools as well as the marketing of UK education overseas.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has seen its profits grow by 1,000 per cent due to increased visitor numbers.  The turning point to higher numbers came last year when it saved 13 lions from a run-down zoo in Romania.  The gesture generated £1m worth of press coverage and got the zoo firmly on the family outings map.

Solutions 4 Cleaning provides daily cleaning services for commercial clients between Scunthorpe and Leeds including IKEA, Pontefract and Market Rasen racecourses as well as NHS health centres.  Staff at the company receive training to British Institute of Cleaning Science standards as well as NVQs.  It also runs an in-house trainee manager apprenticeship over two years.

Having won a regional award, the companies are now competing for the national title in their category, as well as the chance to collect the Award for Outstanding Business Achievement – with a top prize of £25,000 and runners up prizes of £15,000 and £10,000.

There are nine categories, backed by high profile sponsors including RBS and NatWest, BT Business, BT Directories, AXA PPP healthcare, DHL Express, Dell, Westfield Health and the British Standards Institution (BSI). The national winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on November 24th 2011.