Bees knees is the business

Elaine Grundy Elaine Bowers - 1635 • Published 4 Jun 2008 16:30

THE creme de la creme of Inverclyde"s businesses will gather at Greenock town hall for a gala dinner on Friday.

The event marks the finals of the fifth annual Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee"s Knees Awards. In total nine companies have been short-listed for the prestigious awards but only three will walk away with the much coveted Bee"s Knees trophies.

The finalists in each of the three categories are:

l Bee"s Knees Award for Best Leadership sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde: Ruth Cooper, head of student services, James Watt College; Gerry Edwards OBE, vice president and managing director, National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd; and John Torley, managing director, Blairs Ltd.

l Bee"s Knees Award for Best Employer sponsored by Workforce Plus: Ballyconnelly Construction Ltd, Blairs Ltd, and Promedics Orthopaedic Ltd.

l Bee"s Knees Award for Best Business sponsored by Greenock Chamber of Commerce: Cloch Housing Association, Promedics Orthopaedic Ltd and Stepper Technology Ltd.

Each of the finalists will be guests of Greenock Chamber at the awards dinner, when the winners will be revealed.

One winner in each of the three categories will be awarded a cheque for £1,000 and an exclusive Bee"s Knees trophy.

Special guest speaker at the dinner is serial entrepreneur Gio Benedetti CBE, chairman of Benedetti International plc, who will present the winners with their prizes.

Elaine Stewart of Elaine Stewart Public Relations Ltd, chamber senior vice president and chair of the judging panel said: 'Once again our judging panel was faced with quite a challenge.

'Entries highlighted the great diversity of talent within our local business community.

'This year our Bee"s Knees Awards were given a whole new dimension as we were looking at outstanding individuals, as well as businesses creating a bit of a buzz.

'We"ve seen flair and we"ve seen great fortitude from a fabulous wealth of people and companies who are making a real impact on their markets locally, nationally and internationally.

'As we continue an exciting period of significant regeneration for Inverclyde, we believe the combined strength of our business community will do much to add to its success.'

Joining Elaine on the judging panel line up were Bill Nicol, chief executive, Riverside Inverclyde; Jan Phillips, customer service operations manager, Jobcentre Plus (representing Workforce Plus); Bill Mitchell, Chamber past president and partner, Patten & Prentice; and Charles Shaw, chairman, 5pm.co.uk and chairman X402 Ltd.

The Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee"s Knees Awards 2008 is sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde, Workforce Plus, Turnberry Homes, Elaine Stewart Public Relations Ltd, The Greenock Telegraph, Blairs Ltd, James Watt College of Further and Higher Education, National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Vested Interest Design, Inverclyde Council and the Bank of Scotland.

Tickets for the awards dinner on Friday 6 June are available from Hugh Bunten, executive administrator of Greenock Chamber, telephone 715555, or email hugh.bunten@greenock-chamber.org.uk

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Jun 08

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