MONTHLY
A BUSINESSMAN has been
nominated for a top award
after combining an online
trading website with a busi-
ness dating agency.
Andrew Mills, who set up
Doncaster-based AltruWorld,
has been shortlisted for
Entrepreneur of the Year in
the 02 X Awards 2009.
His business allows small
and medium sized enterpris-
es to be discovered around
the world without the prohib-
itive cost of advertising.
To help businesses that
have been shortlisted to the
next stage in winning the O2
X Awards and scooping the
�5,000 prize money, organis-
ers want people to vote for
their favourite businesses.
The shortlisted businesses
have been selected from
hundreds of entries across
the UK for being the most
creative, innovative and
exciting small businesses.
The finalists from each cat-
egory and region will then be
invited to meet the panel of
expert judges before attend-
ing the national finals for the
O2 X Awards in London, in
October where the winner
will be announced.
Now in their 6th year, the
O2 X Awards are a celebra-
tion of entrepreneurial talent
across the UK.
Small businesses looking to
vote should visit
www.o2.co.uk/xawards.
Voting will close on
September 3.
TWO Doncaster businesses
have been named among the
top 100 biggest private com-
panies in Britain.
Furniture retailers DFS and
housing constructors
Keepmoat have sneaked into
the 2009 Sunday Times
Deloitte Top Track 100 list at
94th and 97th respectively.
The list, now in its eighth
year, ranks companies by
their sales income.
Latest figures show DFS
recorded sales of �584m in
their most recent financial
year, while Keepmoat raked
in �571m during the twelve
months up to March.
But the pair have both fall-
en in the rankings since
2008.
DFS, founded by multi-mil-
lionaire Lord Kirkham over 30
years ago, slipped eight
places from 86th and
Keepmoat, despite making a
�38m increase in sales,
dropped two places.
Martin Jenkins, head of the
north east region at Deloitte,
said: "Large, privately-owned
companies continue to be an
important part of the UK's
economy and it is great to
see Doncaster represented
in the Top Track 100.
"There is no doubt that
many businesses are facing
tough, uncertain times.
"But the companies on this
list have the potential to help
provide the jobs and stability
which the economy needs,
as the country recovers from
the recession."
THE search is on to find the bor-
ough's best companies as Doncaster's
biggest business awards are
launched.
Entries are now open for the
Doncaster Chamber Business Awards
2009 giving all companies, from sole
traders to large organisations the
chance to win.
This year 12 categories designed to
reward the hard work and achieve-
ments of companies and businesspeo-
ple from across Doncaster's diverse
business community are up for grabs.
The town's business Oscars are now
in their 11th year. The awards will
culminate in a glittering gala dinner
at The Dome on December 10 when
more than 700 business are expected
to hear who the winners are.
Stephen Shore, Doncaster Chamber
of Commerce chief executive, said:
"This is a fantastic opportunity for
local businesses to reap rewards for
their efforts and deservedly so, after
making it through such a challenging
last 12 months.
"The awards are different from so
many others in that all entrants, well
established or not, are considered for
their success, and it is great chance to
network and reach out to different
customer bases."
Previous winners of the awards
have not only had the profile of their
firm raised but gone on to enjoy great
success.
Last year the Keepmoat Stadium
clinched the big prize of Business of
the Year.
Other winners included Oracle
Training Consultants, based in
Princes St, and Chris Harrison, of
business support firm Tech Support
(Holdings) Ltd, who was crowned
Entrepreneur of the Year.
He said: "Winning the award was an
amazing surprise and is another mile-
stone in my life's ambition which
only serves to drive me more.
"The exposure the award has creat-
ed is fantastic. It has allowed me to
make some positive connections and
opened some exciting opportunities
with complementary companies. It
has also attracted some larger clients
and business."
To enter visit www.doncaster-cham-
ber.co.uk/awards.
Search is on
for top firms
The team
from Oracle
won an
award at
last year's
event for
their high
level of
customer
service.
Picture: Holly
Allen.
This year's award categories are as follows:
Innovation Award sponsored by Sheffield
Hallam University
Customer Service Award
Performance through Partnership Award
Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by
Business Link Yorkshire
Excellence in People Development
International Trade Award sponsored by
HSBC
Green Business Award sponsored by
Polypipe
Young Entrepreneur of the Year spon-
sored by Business Link Yorkshire
Start Up Business of the Year sponsored
by Success Doncaster
Outstanding Contribution to the
Doncaster Economy
Doncaster Chamber Business of the Year
Success Doncaster Start-up Company of
the Year
Award categories
Companies among
Britain's biggest 100
Shortlisted for
Entrepreneur of
the Year award
Powerlist
2009in association with
Great North Road
Woodlands
Doncaster
01302 728888
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