Looking at the last 12 months, you’d be forgiven for noticing that our capital city has grown in stature somewhat. September 2014 saw the widely reported NATO summit and the arrival of every major world leader to Wales in one sitting.
After a series of Euro qualifying wins Wales football saw their stock rise June 2015, placing them at 10th in the world. And now, for the first time, attention is being cast on those taking Cardiff to new heights on the business stage, at the inaugural Cardiff Business Awards which is set to be unveiled at City Hall on the 18th September.
The Cardiff Business Awards are just a few weeks away and with the city set to host the first business ceremony that focuses on Cardiff exclusively, a number of its biggest contributors have learned they’ve made the finals to compete alongside the best the city has to offer.
Among them, digital experts and suppliers to local government Zipporah – who, after a rousing year overseas, have been selected for the awards Best International Business category.
Based out of Wentlooge, the up and coming software manufacturer have generated an increasing level of interest and recognition over the last year. In December 2014 the business won the South Wales Chambers ‘International Newcomer’ category, and in May 2015 Director Emma Powell won Wales’ most coveted award for women in business – Leading in Wales’ ‘Women in Leadership’ award.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, founder of the Wales Fast Growth 50 awards, Ken Poole, Head of Economic Development at City of Cardiff Council and Barry Evans of NatWest Bank selected Zipporah as a finalist – and now Zipporah will go head to head against 3 other international category finalists, with the winner to be announced at City Hall’s glittering ceremony.
Scott Burton, Zipporah Director and lead on the business’s international efforts had this to say:
“It’s great to see Cardiff developing in business. Over the last decade it’s really accelerated in commercial activity, it’s become a real centre of economic prosperity in the UK. It’s important that we recognise and celebrate these successes alongside the developing business culture we have now that perhaps didn’t exist as fervently not so long ago. It’s great that the Cardiff Business Awards have taken on that responsibility. We’re sure they are going to do a great job in putting on a memorable night and we’re really looking forward to seeing who wins”.
The event itself is being organised by local company Grapevine Event Management. Its founder, Liz Brookes discussed her thoughts:
“We are delighted to announce our shortlist, which includes a host of talented businesses and individuals who have achieved significant commercial success and made Cardiff the thriving economic city it is today.
“We received many strong entries and it was very difficult to whittle the nominees down. However, we are delighted that our finalists demonstrate the talented business people and businesses that make Cardiff such a great place to work.”
Barry Evans, Regional Director at Natwest – the main sponsors of the awards – added:
“NatWest is delighted to be among the principal supporters of the Cardiff Business Awards. Cardiff is a vibrant city with a strong enterprise culture which we work hard to support. Our various initiatives designed to benefit the business community of the capital include the launch next year of an accelerator hub in association with social enterprise Entrepreneurial Spark.”
In addition to the award sponsors, a number of Cardiff’s entrepreneurial communications businesses such as Brighter Comms, Cleartech Live and Bluegg are also providing support for the event.
Those interested can read more about the Cardiff Business Awards at http://cardiffbusinessawards.com/
The shortlisted companies and individuals are as follows:
- Creative and digital business of the year (sponsored by the University of South Wales): Atticus Digital; Effective Communication; Liberty Marketing; Yard Digital
- Entrepreneur of the year (sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University): Andrew Cooksley (ACT); Richard Theo (Activequote); Andrea Callanan (Sing and Inspire); Steve Dimmick
- Financial and professional services business of the year (sponsored by Welsh Government): Activequote; Deloitte; Eversheds; Quantum Advisory
- Green business of the year (sponsored by Wales Enviromental): ECO2; Fareshare; SMS plc; Wardell Armstrong
- International business of the year (sponsored by Brighter Comms): Colin Jones Clarke and Hartland; Genesis Biosciences; IQE PLC; Zipporah
- Retail business of the year (sponsored by Blake Morgan): Nata&Co; PA Black; Specsavers; Tiger Stores
SME of the year (sponsored by Cardiff and Vale College): CPS Group; Liberty Marketing; Orchard Media; TB Davies - Start-Up business of the year (sponsored by Cardiff Council): Action Petz, Compare my move, Crafty Devil, Tiger Stores, Trakcel
- Technology and innovation business of the year (sponsored by Cardiff University): Genesis Biosciences, IQE Plc, TrakCel, Yard Digital
- Tourism and leisure business of the year (sponsored by First Great Western): St David’s Hotel; Park Plaza; Cardiff Devils; Wales Millennium Centre
- Young businessperson of the year (sponsored by Eversheds): Nicholas de Figueiredo (Capital Law); Nick Saunders (Depot); Lloyd Morgan (Rockadove)
