Santander joins the Dorset Business Awards sponsor line-up
Organisers of the Dorset Business Awards, the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are pleased to welcome Santander, one of the world’s largest banks, to the portfolio of award category sponsors. Santander has confirmed its support for Dorset’s prestigious award programme and is co-sponsoring the Company of the Year Award alongside Lester Aldridge.
Known as one of the ultimate accolades for businesses in the region, the Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award aims to recognise all-round excellence and entry is open to businesses of all sizes, from private companies to multi-nationals and subsidiaries. Leading local businesses have aspired to winning the award since the Dorset Business Awards began 20 years ago, and judges will be looking for:
- Excellence in customer care
- First-class processes for research and development into new products or services
- Outstanding financial track record
- A strong strategy for the development of the company
- Commitment to staff training and development plans
- Contribution to the wider community and steps to protect the county's environment
The current Company of the Year Award holder is Winfrith-based ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK Ltd, now also sponsor of this year’s Dorset Export Award. Talking about winning the Award, managing director Dr Antoni Mazur says: “It was enormously rewarding to have the achievements of our company recognised through winning this prestigious award and most importantly, to have the tremendous work of our highly skilled and talented workforce acknowledged so widely.
“Winning an award like this one comes with a certain amount of pedigree. We are currently actively recruiting and are pleased to use the award winner logo in our recruitment marketing material. Winning has given us the opportunity to spread the word that there are some highly successful companies in Dorset and that people, especially the young, do not have to leave the county to find a top company to work for. ”
He adds: “We would encourage other companies to enter this year as it’s an excellent way of raising their profile within the region, attracting new talent and recognising the achievements of their workforce. For any company thinking of entering we would recommend answering the questions as fully as possible and not to be shy about coming forward to highlight their success”.
Alex Fuller, Santander regional director comments: “To be in the running to be named Dorset’s premier company, businesses need to demonstrate an outstanding financial track record with strong sales growth and a commitment to increasing profitability. The winning company is likely to be a leader in its own market with dedication to excellence in products and services and a dynamic approach to quality and innovation.
“Santander is committed to helping businesses in Dorset grow and prosper and we’ve increased lending to UK businesses by an average of 20% per annum over the last four years. We’re delighted to come on board as co-sponsor of this Award category and look forward to receiving a diverse range of entries.”
The Awards are also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entrants can submit an entry via www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or print off an entry form and submit a paper-based entry. The closing date for entry is Friday September 12. Entrants do not need to be a member of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
For further information about the Awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the Gala Dinner which will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 27 please contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.
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Lester Aldridge
Lester Aldridge is a full service law firm, advising commercial organisations and private individuals on a regional, national and international scale, from offices in Bournemouth, Southampton and London. The firm’s core practice areas are real estate, dispute resolution, banking and finance, private client and commercial services.
Santander
Whether small family companies or global corporations, Santander approach every business customer as an individual relationship. It strives to understand a firm’s unique needs and to make banking straightforward, so it can focus on growth. That’s why its clients get a dedicated, expert relationship director. Santander believes credit partners should meet clients directly, so decisions are as transparent as possible.