New awards categories to recognise Sheffield business diversity
Wednesday, 28th October 2009
Sheffield’s growing reputation in both the sport and health sectors has led to the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce adding two new categories to this year’s Business Awards.
The city has seen an influx in businesses developed to support, manage and create commercial success for the region through sport.
The Williams Fasteners Excellence in Sports Services Award will celebrate the role played by an organisation which has made an outstanding contribution to sport in the city, either directly as a team or indirectly as a promoter of sporting achievements.
Sheffield International Venues has been managing key venues such as Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Don Valley Stadium, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, EIS - Sheffield and iceSheffield for more than a decade to both amateur and professional sports people.
The company recently announced record sales figures of £24m - demonstrating a substantial 10per cent rise on the previous year.
Also, Sheffield has become home to a number of small and medium sized enterprises which are responsible for creating products and equipment for the sports industry. Companies such as Bromley Technologies, HD Sports, Zen Oracle Golf and ANSYS UK have all become leading providers for a host of international sports.
Yuri Matischen, Chamber senior vice president and managing director of sports consultancy MLS, said: “It is fantastic that the Chamber has recognised the value of the sport and leisure sector by introducing this specific award for the industry.
“It is an indication of the growing impact sport has had on Sheffield’s diversified economy. Sport and physical activity is a key part of the city’s DNA, Sheffield people are impassioned by it and many young people from the area are inspired by it.”
Meanwhile, the Sheffield Chamber and NHS Sheffield have joined forces to promote the actions of businesses in the region which support staff to lead a more healthy lifestyle.
The NHS Sheffield Healthy Business Award recognises an organisation that is investing in the emotional and physical wellbeing of its employees by supporting its workforce to sustain a healthy diet, a healthy mind or to integrate physical activity into their lives.
Jan Sobieraj, chief executive of NHS Sheffield, said: "Many employers in the city fully recognise the benefits of having a healthy workforce and therefore take steps to support their employees. We have joined forces with the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce to celebrate these employers.
"With this new category for the Sheffield Business Awards, we want to praise organisations which have taken significant steps forward to support the physical or emotional wellbeing of their employees.
“The current economic climate is a challenging time for both employees and employers, but that’s why now is the perfect time for organisations to start thinking more about investing in their workforce’s health and wellbeing. Staff are likely to be more productive at work if they are healthy and are also less likely to take time off sick.”
Applying to win an award could not be easier. The Awards have a dedicated web site www.sheffieldbusinessawards.org.uk where businesses can register their details, gain access to the application form and submit an entry.
Deadline for entries has been extended by a week to October 23.
For more information about the Sheffield Business Awards please contact the Chamber events team on 0114 201 8899.
