MANCHESTER, England, July 10 --

- National Business Awards Regional Programme Sponsored by Orange 2009

Over 350 business leaders and guests attended The National Business Awards
Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange, in Manchester, Thursday 9th July, to
celebrate the success of the North of England and Northern Ireland’s most
innovative, ethical and successful businesses.

Nine organisations were duly rewarded including Cumbria-based Smith Engineering
who triumphed with The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award for its
remotely operated ground vehicles designed for use in hazardous areas. It was
Saltaire’s Pace, a leading technology developer for the global pay TV
industry with clients such as BSkyB, that won the prestigious Grant Thornton
Business of the Year Award.

Commenting on the winners, Gary Coombes, Director of Business Sales for
headline sponsor, Orange, said: The quality of finalists this year has been
outstanding, making many of the judging decisions very close calls. All the
winners displayed resilience and determination to succeed in what has
undoubtedly been a challenging environment, and it is organisations such as
these that will help to stimulate renewed growth in the local economy.

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year trophy went to Manchester-based
Myprotein.co.uk now Europe’s leading online manufacturer and supplier of
sports nutrition and health products. The success of this business has resulted
in year on year triple digit growth. The judging panel duly awarded the
organisation for its product development and successful growth strategies, said
Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, The National Business Awards.

Quick Holdings Plc, Bolton, won The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year
Award for developing the world’s first interactive Dance Fitness System -
the Cyber Coach. The System delivers dance classes, such as salsa and
cheerleading, online where up to 32 people can play computer games
simultaneously.

It was double victory for Leeds-based Remote Asset Management Ltd (RAM)
tonight. Robert Janes, National Business Awards judge and founder of Stonebyte
PR, presented Chris McClellan with the much sought after Entrepreneur of the
Year Award for his exceptional leadership and vision. RAM was also awarded The
Customer Focus Award title. Jacqui Marchesi, Business Development Manager, ICS
and chair of judges for the awards category said: After a closely fought contest
between a number of extremely worthy entries and much hot debate between the
judges, it was agreed that RAM should be the overall winner given the
organisation’s ability to demonstrate an holistic approach and genuine
understanding of customer focus.

Crown Spa Hotel in Scarborough, won the Health, Work well-being Award for
Small Business. The judges were impressed by the remarkable change in culture it
has achieved through a mixture of leadership, innovation and employee
engagement. This in turn has resulted in leading edge sector results in staff
turnover, employee satisfaction and improved business performance.

The Employer of the Year Award went to Doncaster Chamber of Commerce
Enterprise. The organisation clearly demonstrated how training and communication
has been completely overhauled to inspire staff to help motivate and deliver
tangible success in business for its members.

Exactly the calibre of company The National Business Awards are made for. It
positively oozes qualification and excellence, said Councillor John Pennington,
chair of judges for the category, when presenting Preston-based i-know UK with
The Growth Strategy of the Year Award. i-know UK has delivered applaudable
organic growth up 100% year on year with profit to match and a company that is a
credit to UK Plc, Pennington added.

When asked to comment overall on this year’s winners, Gary Coombes,
Director of Business Sales for headline sponsor, Orange, said: At Orange we know
that winning recognition in The National Business Awards is a huge achievement
and the success of each winner should be highlighted so that suppliers, partners
and customers know that they are dealing with an organisation that is forward
thinking and vibrant in its approach to business thinking.

To obtain further information and see the full list of winners and finalists
visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals

The National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange, is United
Business Media’s business recognition platform with its particular
emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business. Acknowledged as the
UK’s leading showcase for achievement in business, The National Business
Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its business
recognition platform and annual awards ceremonies.

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

WINNERS AND FINALISTS NORTH OF ENGLAND NORTHERN IRELAND

The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award

Winner: Smith Engineering, Maryport, CA15, 8NF

Finalists: aql, Leeds, LS10 1JQ; Biskit Marketing Design Ltd, Otley, LS21 3PB;
Farnell, Leeds, LS12 2TU; Kings Security Systems, Bradford, BD4 7HH; Mitrefinch
Ltd, York, YO30 5YY; Northern Doctors Urgent Care, Newcastle, NE12 8EG;
Spartasoft, Manchester, M60 1QD and Yorkshire Water, Bradford, BD6 2SZ

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Winner: Chris McClellan, Remote Asset Management Ltd, Leeds, LS10 1DX

Finalists: Anthony King, Kings Security Systems Ltd, Bradford, BD4 7HH; Chris
Jordan, Cabfind Ltd, Liverpool, L3 8LX; Linden Kitson, Lick UK Ltd, Elland, HX5
9DN; Michael Conway, Quayside Clothing Limited, Manchester, M17 1EH; Jo Sellick,
Sellick Partnership, Manchester, M2 5AH; Chris Harrison, Tech Support Holdings
Limited, Doncaster, DN10 6QR; Matt Newing, Elite Telecom, St Helen’s, WA11
7RP; Hazel Barry, H2K Skincare, Harrowgate, HG1 2PW and Oliver Cookson,
Myprotein.co.uk, Manchester, M23 9LE

The Grant Thornton Business of the Year Award

Winner: Pace Plc, Saltaire, BD18 3LF

Finalists: Elite Telecom, St Helen’s, WA11 7RP; Nisa International,
Grimsby, DN31 1SJ; Reflex Vehicle Solution, Stockton On Tees, TS18 3TX; Spiritel
Plc, Wigan, WN2 2DX

The Health, Work well-being Award for Small Business

Winner: Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2AG

Finalists: Chess, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, SK9 7JP; Doncaster Chamber of
Commerce Enterprise, Doncaster, DN4 5JQ; px limited, Cleveland, TS17 6BF and
BNS Nuclear Services (Manchester), Manchester, M44 5AY

The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year Award

Winner: Quick Holdings Plc, Bolton, BL2 2HP

Finalists: aql, Leeds, LS10 1JQ; GB Group, Chester, CH4 9GB; Marks Spencer
Group Plc (in collaboration with Leeds University) Leeds, LS2 9JT; Smith
Engineering, Maryport, CA15, 8NF; Spartasoft, Manchester, M60 1Q and Yorkshire
Water Brinker, Bradford, BD6 2LZ

The Customer Focus Award

Winner: Remote Asset Management Ltd, Leeds, LS10 1DX

Finalists: Advance Security UK Ltd, Hillingdon, UB10 9PF; Chess Telecom,
Cheshire, SK9 7JP; Liverpool City Council, Liverpool, L18 3JD; QVC, Liverpool,
L70 2QA; Royal Bank of Scotland, Harrogate, HG3 1XE; TouchStar Call Centre
Software, Manchester, M12 6JH and UKFast, Manchester, M1 4BT

The Growth Strategy of the Year Award

Winner: i-know UK Ltd, Preston, PR25 3GR

Finalists: Elite Telecom, St Helen’s, WA11 7RP; Fonezone
Telecommunications LTD trading as Barclay Communications, Belfast, BT7 1DT;
Interim Partners, Harrogate, HG1 1TS; Knowsley Lift Services, Liverpool, L7 9NG;
Mobica Limited, Wilmslow, SK9 1AY; Nisa International, Grimsby, DN31 1SJ and
Reflex Vehicle Solution, Stockton On Tees, TS18 3TX

The Employer of the Year Award

Winner: Doncaster Chamber of Commerce Enterprise

Finalists: Advance Security UK Ltd, Hillingdon, UB10 9PF; British Independent
Utilities, St Anne’s, FY8 1QG; Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2AG; HLM
Architects, Sheffield, S1 2LA and KCOM Contact Centres Ltd, Hull, HU2 8PU

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year

Winner: Myprotein.co.uk, Manchester, M23 9LE

Finalists: Cabfind Ltd, Liverpool, L3 8LX; Cumbrian Cottages Limited, Carlisle,
CA3 0LJ; Donwood Double Glazing Ltd, Gateshead, NE10 0HW; Event Marketing
Solutions, Cheshire, CH65 4LQ; Human Recognition Systems, Liverpool, L13 1FB;
Imerja, Manchester, M15 4PS; Lick UK Ltd, Elland, HX5 9DN; Place Group Ltd,
Manchester, M3 4LZ and Quayside Clothing Limited, Manchester, M17 1EH

SOURCE: National Business Awards

For further information and images please contact: The National Business Awards,
Henriette Svensen - Communications Manager, Telephone: +44(0)20-7234-8753/
+44(0)750-091-7628, Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com