Barclays joins hunt for stars

As well as being title sponsor for the awards, now in their 18th year, the Barclays Business team has chosen to also back the search for Company of the Year.

Martin Bonner, Barclays’ regional business director, said: “We don’t just see ourselves as bankers, but as an integral part of the business community.

“That is why being involved in the Rising Stars Business Excellence Awards is so important to us.

“We know that the quality of entrants will be high and judging will be tough, but it will all be worth it to celebrate the successes of businesses that are forward thinking in their approach and in finding ways to achieve their strategic goals despite the current, difficult, economic climate”

Barclays has a team of business managers, based at its local branches in Bedford, Luton and the surrounding area. They spend most of their time visiting business customers at their premises to discuss lending and other banking solutions, together with advice and guidance on achieving ambitions.

Barclays Business is the business banking arm of Barclays. It has more than 700,000 customers with a turnover up to £5m that are a mixture of start ups, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.

Last year Barclays supported a record number of business start ups – over 100,000, the biggest number since the bank’s records began.

l The awards will be presented at Park Inn, Bedford, on Thursday, November 10. The closing date for entries is Friday, October 7. But the message is, don’t wait as early entrants could benefit from coverage.

l To enter the awards, visit www2.lutontoday.co.uk/ risingstars2011/

l To become a sponsor, email [email protected] or phone her on 01908 651263.