News

July 09, 2010

Awards recognise triumphs over adversity

Small-business owners who have triumphed against challenging circumstances or personal difficulties have been invited to compete for a £10,000 prize, following the launch of the 2010 Barclays Trading Places Awards.

The awards are open to all UK-based businesses and aim to celebrate entrepreneurs who have beaten the odds to succeed in business.

Prizes include £10,000 for the national winner, as well as business software and advertising packages for each of the ten finalists. In addition, a prize of £3,500 will be made to one outstanding finalist who can demonstrate that their business is helping the local community.

Each of the ten finalists will also win an all-expenses paid trip to London to attend the prize-giving gala dinner on 30 November 2010.

"Trading Places is a celebration of men and women who, in spite of great personal challenges, have taken steps to establish a sustainable business and in doing so changed the direction of their lives for the better," said Barclays Business managing director, Steve Cooper.

Winners from the 2009 awards include a cystic fibrosis sufferer who overcame her disability to set up a successful retail gift business, and an ex-alcoholic who established a thriving mail-order firm specialising in cake design.

The deadline for entries to the awards is 16 July 2010.

• For more information about the awards and to apply online, visit the Barclays Trading Places Awards website