A new awards competition for West Midlands based information and communications technology (ICT) companies has been announced by the ICT Cluster Opportunity Group (COG) of Advantage West Midlands. The West Midlands ICT Awards seek to recognise excellence amongst West Midlands ICT companies, helping to share and celebrate best-practice within the region.
For the inaugural 2005 competition, awards will be made in six categories:
- Most innovative product or service
- Most value-added private sector project
- Best value public sector project
- Best public sector procurer
- Best use of skills training
- Best international trader
In addition there will be one overall award, the Regional Champion Award, for the company that not only excels in one of the six categories, but is also the best example to other companies in the region of how to not only deliver excellence in IT, business and people management, but also fully embraces and promotes the opportunities offered within the West Midlands ICT Cluster. The Regional Champion will receive a cash prize of £2000.
The Awards open on 18 July 2005 and entry forms can be downloaded from the ICT Cluster web site at www.wmictcluster.org. Entries must be submitted by 1 Oct 2005. Judging will be carried out during October by a panel drawn from not only the ICT Cluster Opportunity Group but also from current regional ICT projects, local ICT companies, and even local ICT users.
David Burden, COG member and Marketing and Communications Task Group leader said: “We think it is important that these awards celebrate both business as well as technical excellence. ICT companies should be focussed on the needs of their customers, and ensure that their products and projects deliver real value. As a result we are keen to get end users involved in the judging process. We are also dedicating one award to the public sector organisations that buy IT to recognise those public procurers that are taking advantage of the strength of capability in our local ICT SMEs.”
Stuart Webb, ICT Cluster Manager for AWM added, “These awards are an excellent opportunity to show regional and national ICT buyers just how strong a group of ICT companies we have in the West Midlands. With over 3000 ICT companies covering everything from network support to advanced opto-electronics and photonics, local businesses do not need to look outside the region to find excellent ICT suppliers. These awards will let us showcase the very best we have, and raise awareness for everyone else.”
The winners will be announced at the West Midlands ICT Cluster Annual Conference on 18th November at the Motorcycle Museum and presented by Sir Peter Rigby, Chairman and CEO of SCC plc, after his keynote address to the Conference.
Notes to editors
The ICT Cluster is one of thirteen clusters set up by Advantage West Midlands. These clusters have been chosen on the basis of their current strength in the region and their potential to create jobs and economic growth. Business Clusters aim to grow the competitive advantage and reputation of the region in key markets and industries to increase economic prosperity. The group leading the ICT cluster is industry led, having a majority of private sector members supported by several key public sector partners.
Advantage West Midlands is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England whose role is to provide leadership and action to create more, better jobs and an improved quality of life for all in the West Midlands.
