Nick Clegg to speak at Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg is the main speaker at this year’s Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards.

The South Yorkshire MP is the latest heavyweight politician to speak at the awards ceremony.

Last year’s speaker was Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, who followed Ed Balls, when Education Secretary, and David Cameron, who appeared while Leader of the Opposition.

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The shortlist will be announced in mid September, with the winners announced at the ceremony on October 13.

Mr Clegg has attracted controversy for some of his policies over the last year but there is little doubt that the Liberal Democrat leader is a pivotal figure in UK politics.

He is crucial to the success of the coalition Government, which is trying to reduce a major budget deficit against a faltering national and international economy.

Mr Clegg, 44, was a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 before being elected Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam in 2005.

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He is expected to tell the awards ceremony audience of leading industrialists and professionals how Government policies can help the Yorkshire economy.

Ticket interest should be registered via [email protected]

The South Yorkshire MP is the latest heavyweight politician to speak at the awards ceremony.

Last year’s speaker was Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, who followed Ed Balls, when Education Secretary, and David Cameron, who appeared while Leader of the Opposition.

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The shortlist will be announced in mid September, with the winners announced at the ceremony on October 13.

Mr Clegg has attracted controversy for some of his policies over the last year but there is little doubt that the Liberal Democrat leader is a pivotal figure in UK politics.

He is crucial to the success of the coalition Government, which is trying to reduce a major budget deficit against a faltering national and international economy.

Mr Clegg, 44, was a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004 before being elected Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam in 2005.

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He is expected to tell the awards ceremony audience of leading industrialists and professionals how Government policies can help the Yorkshire economy.

Ticket interest should be registered via [email protected]

The awards have become the leading business event in Yorkshire, reflected by heavyweight private sector backing from main sponsors Aviva, DLA Piper, Goldman Sachs, PwC and Yorkshire Bank, and top political speakers.

The categories:

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by O2, open to owner managers and directors aged 35 and under.

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• Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Drax, for companies that can demonstrate innovation in their approach to growth and development.

• SME Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by TC Harrison JCB, open to companies with a turnover of £10m or less

• Outstanding Employer of the Year, sponsored by the Bradford University School of Management, for companies that have implemented the most innovative and effective new development in the area of people management, including training schemes, reward and recognition structures, performance management systems and health and welfare schemes.

• Exporter of the Year, for companies that have made progress in overseas markets

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• Business Community Award, sponsored by Aviva, for businesses that are actively working in the community to enhance education and skills development.

• Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Goldman Sachs, for companies up to three years old

• Companies with a Turnover up to £10m, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank

• Companies with a Turnover between £10m and £50m, sponsored by PwC

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• Companies with a Turnover above £50, sponsored by DLA Piper

• The Yorkshire Post Individual Award for Excellence, chosen by this newspaper

The closing date for entries has now passed and a shortlist will be published shortly.