The E3 Business Awards were launched at a time when the UK and North West regional economies had been hampered by the global financial crisis. As conditions improved, we looked to the region's entrepreneurs and innovators to help accelerate the region’s economic recovery, an undertaking that required determination, a strong enterprising spirit and a real investment in enterprise, education and employment.
It also required commitment from every sector and community, so it was vital that we worked together and made the most of our collective strengths as a region.
There were already many companies demonstrating exactly this kind of commitment; businesses and individuals from many different cultures and communities that set an example by investing in the future. These were the companies that did not merely tighten their belts when times were hard; they grew their businesses, created new jobs and demonstrated their faith in the next generation through apprenticeships, training programmes and close ties with the education sector.
The E3 Business Awards recognised these enterprising and forward-looking organisations; the entrepreneurs and educators from across the North West who worked hard to lead the return to regional prosperity.
The North West had certain traditional strengths and was developing new ones as entrepreneurs from different educational, commercial and cultural backgrounds contributed their skills and expertise to the regional melting pot. This ever-changing mix generated new market opportunities all the time.
If the North West is to make the most of such opportunities, it must recognise, support and bring together all its various strengths: entrepreneurial energy, technical expertise, commercial acumen and much else besides. It must also appreciate that these qualities do not reside exclusively within one single group or blue-chip business elite. They can be found in all our communities – and the E3 Business Awards are there to celebrate them.
The North West region needs a multicultural awards scheme to provide a platform on which ideas, information and opportunities can be shared freely, and upon which beneficial new partnerships and collaborative projects can be built.
