Shortlist revealed for North West Business Masters 2012

THREE of the region’s key business figures have been shorlisted by judges for the prestigious North West Ambassador award at the 2012 North West Business Masters Awards.

TheBusinessDesk.com’s North West Business Masters awards will bring together some of the most established and recognisable names in the region’s business community with some superb new ventures making the first steps on the path to success.

In the Ambassador category, veteran bookmaker Fred Done will compete with JD Sports Fashion’s Peter Cowgill and Mike Blackburn from BT – who is also chair of for the prestigious award for leadership and contribution to the region.

Winners of the six categories will be announced on April 26 at a high profile awards lunch at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. Click here to buy tickets for the exclusive event.

It’s now down to you – our readers – to help chose the overall winners in our six categories. Voting will open on our website later this week and run until March 29.

The Nominees are:

North West Ambassador, sponsored by MC2

Mike Blackburn, BT/ Chairman, Greater Manchester LEP
Peter Cowgill, Executive chairman JD Sports Fashion
Fred Done, Chairman Betfred

North West Exporter:

Applied Language Solutions
Oliver Valves
WFEL

North West Innovator, sponsored by Cobbetts

Belfry Group (EcoPod)
Elite Telecom
MHA Lighting

North West Manufacturer:

Fort Vale Engineering
WEMS Ltd
WFEL

North West Newcomer:

Charbrew
Goody Good Stuff
RedX Pharma

North West Pride, sponsored by United Utilities

Carole Nash
Factory Youth Zone
The Brink dry bar:  Jacquie Johnston Lynch

Chris Barry, North West Editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “The standard of entries was fantastic, particularly in the North West Innovator category, which meant it was challenging to shortlist just three contenders.

“The North West is a great region and the North West Masters awards will rightly celebrate outstanding achievement at a fantastic event.”