B4Box and Appsense make awards final

TWO North West private businesses have made this year’s shortlist for the third annual Private Business Awards.

B4Box and AppSense have both gone through to the national awards – sponsored by PwC and in association with HSBC Private Bank – after being selected from 700 nominations across the UK.

Salford-based B4Box has been shortlisted for Social Enterprise of the Year. It was established in 2008 with the aim to bring empty properties back into use to provide housing, but to also provide training for people struggling to find work.

Daresbury-based AppSense has been short-listed for Technology Innovation of the Year. The company specialises in technology that allows people to access their own desktops from any device at any time.

It has over 4,000 customers and operates offices in New York, California, London, Munich, Melbourne, France and Amsterdam.

Alison Lever, partner and North West lead for PwC’s private business team said: “The high number of nominations for this year demonstrates the quality of both B4Box and AppSense in making the shortlist.

“While both very different companies they are doing really interesting and innovative things which are helping the region to grow and be successful. The North West is a hub of dynamic and pioneering companies and it has been exciting to go out and meet the nominees to see what they are doing for the region.”

The winners of the Private Business Awards will be announced at The Guildhall, London on Wednesday September 11.