Busy family businesses given more time

The Midlands’ family-run businesses and their owners are to be given an extra three weeks to enter the first-ever Midlands Family Business Awards so they don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to showcase their work, according to organisers.

The deadline for making online submissions at the Awards' website www.familybusinessawards.co.uk has been extended to the 23rd July 2010.

Hilary Campton, project manager of the Awards, which are underwritten by independent insurance broker and family-run business, The Wilson Organisation, explains:

"We work closely with many family businesses and know first-hand that their owners are among some of the busiest entrepreneurs and business people in the country. Their hard work and commitment to the region's economy deserves the best chance to be recognised and spotlighted in the all-new Awards, and in order to make this possible and ease the pressure on them just a little, we are extending the entry deadline for a further three weeks.

"Furthermore, family business owners are often extremely modest about their achievements. We want to give them every opportunity to find the time to make their entry and highlight their successes."

Entries to the Awards are free and can be made online at the Awards website www.familybusinessawards.co.uk. The process is quick and easy, with clear explanations and information about each category and the information required at every step of the way. Businesses can enter as many categories as they wish and for which they are eligible, and the Awards are open to any Midlands-based family business regardless of their size or industry sector.

The Midlands Family Business Awards' is a not-for-profit venture, with all proceeds going to charities supporting young enterprise and young people - The Children's Society, The Willow Foundation and The Venture Foundation.

Sponsors include RSM Tenon, sponsor of the headline category ‘The Family Business of the Year, with additional individual category sponsors EFG Private Bank, Connect Midlands, Aviva, Young & Pearce Solicitors, AXA Elevate, Blusource and The Mitre Group, with additional support from Regional Development Agency emda.

The Awards panel of judges includes James Timpson (MD, Timpson), Tim Storer (MD, Pukka Pies), Peter Thornton (former Chairman of Thorntons plc), Peter Leach (author, Family Businesses: The Essentials), Grant Gordon (Director General, Institute for Family Business), Judy Naake (founder, St Tropez), Carrie Rubins (Director, Pentland Group) and Mark Samworth (Samworth Brothers).

For more information about the Awards visit: www.familybusinessawards.co.uk, or contact Wilsons' Marketing Manager Leah Bradley, tel: 0115 942 0111, email: lbradley@wilorg.com..