Debbie Stone of Blow Hair and Beauty; Natalie Haywood of Leaf; Barbara Richmond of Redrow and Steve Morgan at the launch of this year's Awards
The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2011 are now officially open. They are bigger and better than ever before, with over £115,000 of cash prizes and professional services on offer to the winners. The Awards are open to charities, social enterprises, businesses and entrepreneurs from our remit area.
There are seven categories and 17 cash prizes to be won, including a new category for 2011 aimed at young entrepreneurs with a new business idea. Other categories include those for new businesses and for entrepreneurial charities and social enterprises. Full details about the Awards can be found at the dedicated website: www.mf-awards.co.uk .
Speaking at the launch in Liverpool,Steve Morgan OBE said, “Unlike many others these Awards offer substantial cash prizes, so the winners and runners-up get more than just a pat on the back, they get a capital injection that can make a real difference to their businesses.
“We’ve always had a young entrepreneur category and this year, with youth unemployment at its highest since records began, it’s timely that we have a brand new Award for youngsters with a good business idea. If there aren’t the jobs out there, let’s encourage them to help themselves and, maybe, become the employers of the future.
“These Awards really do make a difference to the organisations and individuals who take part. Previous winners and runners-up have said that winning has helped them in many ways: from a much needed capital injection into their business to improving staff morale.”
In line with the ethos of the Morgan Foundation, there are also categories aimed specifically at entrepreneurial charities and organisations that make a social or economic contribution to the region. With Government cut-backs starting to bite such organisations are even more important in their local communities and need all the encouragement they can get.
“The Awards attract entries from a diverse range of businesses,” explains Steve. “This is the fifth year of the Awards and every year the number of entries grows. I’m sure that this year the standard of entries will be as high as ever.”
The Awardsare free to enter and it’s simple to apply. They open on 22rd June 2011 and entrants have until 2nd September 2011 to submit their applications on-line. A panel of independent business leaders and experts will select the finalists, who will then have the opportunity to present in person at the final judging in late September. The winners and runners-up will be announced live at a Gala Awards Dinner at the Carden Park Hotel on 10th November 2011.
