Yorkshire Bank a loyal supporter

It’s hardly surprising that the bank has made a long-term commitment to promoting the county’s top business awards. Yorkshire Bank has supported The Yorkshire Post’s Excellence in Business Awards since their inception.

As the glittering event heads towards its 10th anniversary, Darren Owers, Yorkshire Bank’s head of commercial and small business for the east region, can’t wait to see the latest crop of entries.

Yorkshire Bank sponsors the ‘companies with a turnover up to £10m’ category, which is one of the most fiercely contested trophies. A large proportion of Yorkshire companies fall within this category.

Over the years, it has attracted winners from a range of sectors. Many of the winners are making waves on a global scale. For example, last year’s winner, The Test People, works with big companies to ensure they aren’t embarrassed by failings in their online operation.

“Our region has a long and proud history of business excellence, and it has been Yorkshire Bank’s privilege to be a part of that for over 150 years,’’ said Mr Owers.

“The Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards play an important role in not just recognising and celebrating the success of our businesses, but also lifting them up to inspire others to invest, innovate, develop, learn and grow. The awards’ ability to attract speakers from the highest echelons of business and politics is a testament to the esteem in which they are held, and to Yorkshire’s continued reputation for excellence in business.

“In all the years Yorkshire Bank has been a sponsor, we have always been impressed by the standard of entries, each year it has improved on the last; we would encourage any business with a positive story to tell to enter this year.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu is the headline speaker. He will speak about responsibility in business in his address at the ceremony. Justin Webb, the presenter of the BBC Today programme, will reprise his star turn as master of ceremonies at the awards dinner which is being held on October 14. Dr Sentamu has spoken out before on the issue of inequality in society, and he has warned that the concepts of fairness and income equality are struggling to survive.

Sir Gary Verity, the chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire and last year’s individual winner, said the awards help to create “a strong and positive profile” for the region.

The categories cover community engagement, entrepreneuralism, innovation and international success, but judges will be looking for strong examples of excellence in business throughout.

DLA Piper, PwC and Yorkshire Bank continue as main sponsors; Bradford University School of Management, Drax Group, QBE Insurance and thebigword carry on as associate sponsors.

Companies have until July 11 to submit their entries.

A major employer in the region

Yorkshire Bank was founded in 1859 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, by Colonel Edward Akroyd, who wanted to provide a means of saving for the working classes.

It is now headquartered in Leeds and supports around 1,500 full-time jobs in Yorkshire, with branches throughout Yorkshire, the Midlands, the North East and North West of England.

It also has a network of 22 Business and Private Banking Centres.

Award categories:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (aged up to 35); Young Business of the Year; Exporter of the Year, sponsored by thebigword; Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Drax Group; Community Award, sponsored by QBE Insurance; Outstanding Employer, sponsored by Bradford University School of Management; Companies with a turnover up to £10m, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank; Companies with a turnover between £10m and £50m, sponsored by PwC; Companies with a turnover above £50m, sponsored by DLA Piper.

To enter the awards, visit www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/awards