Safetyflex Barriers has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at this year’s National Business Awards. The manufacturer of anti-terrorist bollards and barriers is part of the GME Springs group in Coventry. Pictured – left to right outside Edgbaston cricket stadium in Birmingham – Rob Gerrard and Marcus Gerrard, directors at Safetyflex Barriers.
In the final they are going up against finalists including Transport for London and Compass Group UK & Ireland. The winner is named at the National Business Awards gala dinner held on November 12 in London.
Russ Shaw, Founder of Tech City Advocates and judge for the category said: “Combining traditional skills with leading technology has produced a nice product in Safetyflex as a more unimposing anti-terrorist bollard. A good all-round case study in innovation.”
Marcus Gerrard, director at Safetyflex Barriers, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have made it through to the final of the most prestigious business awards in the UK. Innovation is at the forefront of every security product we design and produce to protect people and key infrastructure all over the UK and we are proud our achievements have been recognised by the judges. We’ve enjoyed a whirlwind year ever since producing anti-terrorist bollards and barriers for 2012 Olympic sites all around the UK and now we’re really looking forward to taking our place at the National Business Awards final on November 12.”
Over 150 of Britain’s businesses, leaders and social enterprises have been named as finalists for the 2013 National Business Awards. They represent 15 categories including the Croner Employer of the Year, the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year and Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year. This year’s shortlisted businesses have a collective global turnover of more than £341 billion, covering activities as diverse as telecoms, construction, entertainment, publishing and manufacturing. One fifth of the finalists turnover more than £1 billion annually – with the lowest turnover peaking at £30k and highest reaching £55 billion. They represent regions from all over Britain including London, Exeter, Glasgow and Cardiff.
Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of judges for the National Business Awards, said: “These organisations and leaders represent exceptional success over the past year. The environment has been tough; these are the firms leading the way to growth. There’s a broad spectrum of sectors represented, as well as organisations of very different sizes, reflecting the diversity of British business and the vitality of our economy. Congratulations to all our finalists.”
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “The quality of finalists is outstanding every year – with Britain’s most promising new businesses and most impactful social enterprises recognised alongside top performing SMEs and the most sustainable mid market and large cap firms.”
Finalists were chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated for the titles. They will now prepare to make presentations to expert juries who will decide the category winners. The overall winners across all 17 categories will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 12 November at the Grosvenor House, London.
Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk. The National Business Awards supports The Prince’s Trust charity.
