Shortlist for ABDN awards revealed

SUPPORT network ABDN has announced its shortlist of outstanding businesses across Yorkshire who could be in with the chance of scooping an award at its annual dinner.

A number of Leeds-based businesses have been nominated for the 13th annual dinner and business awards, titled ‘Aiming High’ on March 31.

Full service PR, marketing and events agency Chocolate PR is up for Brand of the Year; Citu, the sustainable developers of Britain’s greenest high tech homes and offices Greenhouse is nominated for Innovation in Business; Dave Helm, IT support and service director at Blue Logic Computer Systems is nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year; strategic elearning consultant and technologist at Reach Further, Liz Cable, is shortlisted for Female Entrepreneur of the Year; and gas and electricity suppliers Yorkshire Gas & Power is up for Most Promising New Business.

Each of the shortlisted businesses are now required to submit a presentation in front of the judging panel, who will asses each nomination further as part of the selection process.

There is a tenth award, the Aiming High Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be selected in-house by the ABDN team. 

This year’s awards dinner, to be held at Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries, is welcoming Ed Miliband as the keynote speaker, who will highlight the achievements and growth of the Yorkshire region. 

Arshad Chaudhry, chairman of ABDN said: “I am overwhelmed by the number and strength of  the nominations we received this year, it has made it incredibly hard to narrow down as there is so much talent and success out there.

“It’s incredible to see how far the region has progressed over the last 13 years and the sheer number of successful businesses Yorkshire is now renowned for.”

Mr Miliband added: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support the ABDN Network of Influence in recognising the achievements of local businesses at this event. It’s great to see that there is a high level of entrepreneurial businesses in the Yorkshire region that are actively committed to driving the economy forward. The contribution of these organisations cannot be underestimated.”

The full shorlist:

Business of the Year: A4e, ATB Morley, Sonic Megastor

SME Business of the Year: Bilal Poultry Products, Cleveland Biotech, Prashad

Brand of the Year: Aagrah Group of Restaurants, Akbar’s Restaurants, Chocolate PR

Innovation in Business: Brandon Medical, Citu for Greenhouse, Media Displays

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Blue Logic Computer Systems’ Dave Helm, EnKahnz’s Naveed Khan, Websquare IT Solutions’ Tanveer Qamar

Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Morgan Dias Immigration Consultants Bettina Yarde, Motif UK’s Aishvarrya Chakkraburthi, Reach Further’s Liz Cable, and Sue Taylor of Silky Soles

Most Promising New Business: Statement Exhibitions, Thermal Engineering Contract, Yorkshire Gas & Power

Service to the Community: Archway’s Richard Norton, DOSTI Asian Women’s Support Service’s Ravinder Samra, Hamara HLC’s Hanif Malik