We are delighted to announce that Rowan Executive Search will be sponsoring the Red Rose Awards for the third year running, as this year’s Small Business Award sponsor!
Rowan Executive Search is the North-West’s leading search firm. They work with privately-owned and PE-backed SMEs, building board and management teams.
With 20 categories open for entries, there’s something for all businesses in Lancashire to aim for. The Red Rose Awards celebrates business through sector specific categories, plus categories open to all such as employer of the year, customer service award and the innovation award.
Paul Waite, director of Rowan Executive Search, explains why the organisation supports the Red Rose Awards, how the event has grown and how it benefits Lancashire’s economy.
RRA: What changes have you seen in the Red Rose Awards over the years that you have been involved?
PW: Over time the awards categories have expanded and evolved. They now encompass new categories and old favourites including; Small business Award and Scale-up Award, whilst some under-subscribed awards have been removed. The ceremony is also more sensitive towards the various sectors in Lancashire, and it feels as if the portfolio of awards on offer now is more relevant and reflective of the region as a whole. This seems to be reflected in entrant and attendee numbers, and we’re seeing the event grow in both size and popularity every year.
We’ve also seen a lot of the same sponsors (including ourselves) returning to sponsor the awards year after year, the loyalty of which shows the quality of the event, and demonstrates the collaborative nature of the wider business community here.
RRA: What is the most rewarding part of being a sponsor?
PW: We enjoy the whole journey of being a sponsor. From being involved in the awards and the judging days which are always fun and a great way to meet the region’s businesses and people integral to their success, to the actual awards evening which is always a spectacle.
RRA: How do you feel that the Red Rose Awards benefit Lancashire?
PW: The event focuses on and celebrates SMEs and other businesses in the region, and acknowledges the important role that people play in business’ growth and success. Our mantra is ‘People-Powered Growth’, and we feel a real affinity with the Red Rose Awards because of that.
RRA: How do you feel that your involvement with the Red Rose Awards benefits Rowan Executive Search?
PW: We’re already well-established in the region, but our involvement with the awards not only exposes us to other businesses who may not be cognizant of us, it also underscores how seriously we take our mission as drivers of business growth in the region. We love to see other SMEs succeed and contribute to the Lancashire economy, and are proud to represent the region.
RRA: Do you have any words of advice for businesses who may be considering entering this year?
PW: For the small business award - This is the start of your journey – getting to this size of 25 employees is the start of an exciting journey and scale up.
All entrants – The Red Rose Awards is a great platform to get your company and position within Lancashire recognised, proven by looking at previous winners’ success – a great platform for accelerating growth.
Since the awards were launched in 2011, it has steadily grown and become the centrepiece attraction for the business community.
Businesses interested in entering the awards have until August 20 to submit their entry forms. The finalists will be announced on September 10, and they will then be given the opportunity to put their best case to the judges on September 22 and 23.
For more details, visit www.redroseawards.co.uk
The headline sponsors for Red Rose Awards 2021 are Forbes Solicitors and Barclays.
The awards are also sponsored by Anderton Gables, Azets UK, Business Health Matters, Cube Thinking, Eventus Recruitment Group, Four Recruitment, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Mattioli Woods, Napthens Solicitors, Peter Scott Printers, Pink Link, PM+M, Porsche Centre Bolton, Rowan Executive, Sales Geek, Seriun, Sundown Solutions, Two Zero and The University of Central Lancashire. The charity partner is Community Foundation for Lancashire.