DORSET Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to introduce three new sponsors to the award category line-up for the Dorset Business Awards 2018, as well as welcoming back a long-standing sponsor.

HSBC and Premier Shipping & Packing Ltd (PSP Logistics) both sponsor the Exporting Excellence award, and Beales Gourmet is returning as a sponsor for the Outstanding Customer Service award alongside new sponsors Teachers Building Society.

The Exporting Excellence award will celebrate the contributions Dorset exporters have made to both the county and international economy. Any business that enters must have been trading for at least three years and have a record of international trade during that period. Companies are encouraged to showcase successful and innovative approaches to exporting.

Frank Dixie, managing director of PSP Logistics, said: “The Dorset Business Awards are highly renowned and respected in the region and when HSBC asked us to join them in sponsoring the Exporting Excellence Award we jumped at the opportunity. Our vast knowledge of exporting will certainly be an asset during the judging process and our involvement gives PSP greater visibility in Dorset.”

Anthony Reed, head of corporate banking at HSBC, said: “HSBC is proud to support the Exporting Excellence Award in recognition of the importance that exports play in both Dorset and the wider the UK economy, influencing level of economic growth and employment.

“Companies who export report higher levels of productivity, profitability and innovation. HSBC’s international banking network covers 53 international markets providing access to around 90 per cent of world trade flows and as such, we are delighted to have the opportunity to recognise businesses that excel at exporting.”

Companies looking to enter the award for Outstanding Customer Service should have a proven track record of exceeding customer expectation and delivering a world class experience. The judges will be looking for entrants who have listened and responded to customers’ needs in order to gain a thorough understanding of their customer base.

Justin Cohen, commercial manager of Beales Gourmet at the Italian Villa, said: “We are delighted to be returning as sponsors at this year’s Dorset Business Awards, having sponsored this category last year. We chose to co-sponsor the Outstanding Customer Service category as this is such a major cornerstone of our own business.

“We cater for over 350 weddings and events every year, and our team are passionate about delivering memorable events with exceptional levels of customer service. We’ll be looking for businesses who share this same passion as we know that there are many Dorset companies that exude customer focus, so we’re looking for the cream of that crop.”

Simon Beresford, chief executive officer of Teachers Building Society, said: “As a building society, we are owned by our members rather than shareholders, and excellent service is at the heart of all that we do. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Dorset Business Awards for the first time and the Outstanding Customer Service Award is a perfect way for us to reflect on our own emphasis on service. Winning this prestigious accolade sends out a clear message to the local business community and to customers that your company is providing a world class service experience.”

In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, the Awards are also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entries can be submitted via dorsetubsinessawards.co.uk. The closing date for entry is Friday August 3. Entry is open to all companies based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode and entrants do not need to be a member of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For further information about the awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the Gala Dinner which will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 1, please contact the DBA team on 01202 714800.

Sponsor profile – Beales Gourmet

Beales Gourmet is Dorset’s favourite event caterer that also manages the multi award-winning Italian Villa at Compton Acres, hosting weddings, corporate and private events. Tony and his team cater for around 350 events each year, making them one of the most prolific event caterers in the south, with a focus on outstanding service and local, seasonal ingredients. From small private parties to large corporate events for 1500 guests, Beales Gourmet does it all with flair.

Sponsor profile – Teachers Building Society

Teachers Building Society was founded over 50 years ago by the National Union of Teachers (now the NEU) to help teachers to own their own homes and provide a safe haven for their savings. Its primary activity is the provision of residential mortgages to the education profession, as well as other customers, in England and Wales while savings accounts are available to everyone in the UK. Its range of savings accounts for businesses and charities regularly feature in Best Buy charts.

Sponsor profile – PSP Logistics

PSP Logistics is a leading global freight forwarder based in Dorset, Hampshire and London. It specialises in air and sea freight, project shipping, export packing, express courier, boat transportation and letters of credit. With a carefully selected network of partners across the globe, PSP is able to provide a professional and competitive door to door service. In fact PSP is one of the few companies in England that has the ability to both manufacture wooden cases and arrange the necessary freighting.

PSP has been tried, tested and trusted by many leading brands and has an ISO9001:2015 certified quality management system and is a proud member of BIFA, IATA and British Marine.

Sponsor profile – HSBC

HSBC is one of the world’s largest banks. They support over one million UK businesses, among 37 million customers worldwide. In 2017, they won the title of The World’s Best Bank in Euromoney magazine’s Awards for Excellence and are an official partner of the International Business Festival 2018. Its experts in markets, liquidity and cash management design sophisticated, cross-border solutions. HSBC has eight specialist sector teams and its Leverage Finance service supports deals of all sizes, facilitating M&A, syndication financing and access to high-yield bonds and Treasury. Its Commercial Banking Origination service facilitates and advises on sophisticated corporate financing in the UK and Europe.

Past winners say...

Mike Wingrove, contracts and exports manager, AGI Ltd., Exporter of the Year 2017

“We believe that internally, it has been great for morale both within our contracts department who work directly with Exports/Imports and companywide for our employees, to see recognition being given for their hard work and commitment to high standards. This has also created a degree of healthy competition to see what other awards we can achieve.

“Externally, we have had many companies we interact with on a regular basis congratulating us for our outstanding achievement and freight forwarders have contacted us requesting the opportunity to work with us indicating AGI are recognised as a world class organisation to trade with.”

Chris Palmer, managing director, Anytech Solutions, Outstanding Customer Service 2017

“Winning a Dorset Business Award last year has given the entire team a great big pat on the back. We work really hard for our clients and to be awarded for something we do naturally really has confirmed what we hoped for has been achieved. If you’re considering applying don’t hesitate, just do it!”