Searching for the successes in region's businesses

The search is on for the most inspirational success stories to be held up as shining examples of how best to run a company during a recession.

Businesses with a turnover up to 20m are invited to enter the Variety Club Yorkshire Business Awards, supported by the Yorkshire Post and executive search firm Hitchenor Wakeford.

"The judges, I expect, are looking for businesses with strong management who have successfully steered their business through the economic and financial crisis and who have a strategy for growth in the Yorkshire region," said Neil Williams, regional director of Santander Corporate Banking, the category sponsor.

"The economic outlook is challenging and there is a lot of depressing news in the Press. However, Yorkshire businesses are typically very resilient and there are good opportunities for growth whether that be organic or by acquisition or merger.

"Businesses will become much stronger as a consequence of the downturn given the necessary focus on income and margin maximisation, cost control and cash flow management."

Entrants must employ fewer than 150 people and be able to demonstrate a strong potential to grow. They must have a clear understanding of the market in which they operate and their future development within that market, together with sound and measurable business practices.

The Variety Club Yorkshire Business Awards have raised around 3m for sick and disadvantaged children in Yorkshire since launching 23 years ago.

Martin Shaw, chairman of the awards, said: "Last year's event raised an amazing 140,000 for the Variety Club. We are staggered by the support and generosity of the business community in these difficult times."

The corporate lawyer added: "Our 2010 event promises to be even better as we strive to increase our fund-raising. In our spending this year on the Leeds General Infirmary children''s radiology unit, Sunshine Coaches, specialist baths, electric wheelchairs and sensory equipment, numerous funday activities, football competitions and Christmas parties, we have tried to make a real difference to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children in our region."

The winners will be announced at a lunch, in Leeds on December 10, which will be attended by leading business figures from across the region.

The other sponsors are Bartlett & Company, Ernst & Young, Evans Property Group, Pace plc, Pinsent Masons LLP, NM Rothschild & Sons Limited and Yorkshire Building Society.

If you would like to nominate a company or individual for the business leader, board of the year or small business categories, please email [email protected] by October 28 at the latest.

To apply for tickets, email [email protected] or write to Maxine Webb, Regional Administrator (Yorkshire), The Variety Club Children's Charity, 54a The Balcony, The Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8NG or phone 0113 245 9937.

The other categories...

Business Leader of the Year (sponsored by the Yorkshire Post): The judging panel will be looking for a business leader who has made an outstanding contribution to their business, to the benefit of the workforce, investors, customers and suppliers – and also to Yorkshire's economy and community. He/she will demonstrate strong leadership qualities, integrity and commercial ability.

Board of the Year (sponsored by Hitchenor Wakeford): The emphasis will be on teamwork and judges are looking for a company, whether private or quoted, which has maintained a strong performance and profit record. The Board of the Year will also be judged on its composition (eg, the balance between executive and non-executive directors), its internal and external relations, and its general profile in the marketplace.

The Variety Club Award: This year, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented by the Variety Club Children's Charity. The recipient is a unique individual who is recognised universally as having made an outstanding contribution to the country in his or her area of activity.