Celebrating the small firm at the launch of the Business Awards
WEST SUSSEX’S community of small firms was celebrated at the launch of the Chichester Observer and Gazette Business Awards hosted at our University last week.
Welcoming potential entrants from nearby businesses, University Vice-Chancellor Professor Clive Behagg explained why the institution was proud to be headline sponsor of the Awards for the fifth-year running, and sponsor the overall Business Awards.
“We love getting involved,” said Professor Behagg at the opening event. “In the last two years the overall business of the year award has been won by family-run firms. We love the fact that small businesses get so involved because in our sector we are an SME too so we feel that we share in the same economic context that everybody else here tonight is feeling.”
As part of the business community, the University plays an important role in contributing to the growth of the local economy, and guests were introduced to plans for the new Engineering and Digital Technology Park at our Bognor Regis Campus, which were outlined by Seamus Higson, our Deputy Vice Chancellor for Sustainability and Enterprise.
Blaise Tapp, Communities Content Editor at Sussex newspapers, pictured right, was emphatic as he echoed Professor Behagg’s sentiment. He said: “These Awards really mean something. They are judged by local experts and every entry tells the story of our great community and great businesses.”
The welcome was followed by guidance on why to enter and how to craft a winning submission from Louise Hopkins, Chair of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a question and answer session led by a panel of past winners and sponsors.
Entry to the Awards is open now and the full details of how to enter, including a list of categories, can be found here. The closing date for entry is Monday 14 March, while the Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday 22 April at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel.
For more about how the University of Chichester is working with businesses from across the south of England visit www.chi.ac.uk/business-school.
