In association with HSBC

HSBC is one of the world's largest financial services organisations, operating from 9,500 offices in 85 countries and territories around the globe, and as such it is uniquely positioned to help support its business customers, from budding entrepreneurs to corporate giants. Renowned for the support and expertise it provides the business community, HSBC was delighted to become a sponsor of the Thames Gateway Business Awards.

Carol Bagnald, HSBC London Regional Commercial Director will also be on hand to support the West London Business Awards. Carol's overall responsibility is for commercial business across the London Region she is also a director for South London Business, West London Business and also Chair for Celsius, the exclusive Top 100 Corporate Club for CEOs/MDs.

This year's keynote speaker is Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

New Product/ Business Award

Barking and Dagenham Enterprise (BDE) is proud to be sponsoring the New Product/ Business Award at the 2009 Thames Gateway Business Awards.

BDE is about inspiring people and businesses to seize opportunities available to them, as well as celebrating those that take it up. This is why we are particularly proud to be sponsoring this award, which celebrates businesses in the Thames Gateway, a region that has a range of opportunities.

Outstanding Young Person

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About the Learning and Skills Council, London

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in London exists to make the region better skilled and more competitive. It is responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone and has a single goal: to improve the skills of London's young people and adults to world class standards. Its vision is that young people and adults in London have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce.

Training & Staff Development Award

Train to Gain is managed by the Learning and Skills Council. It is the government's flagship service to support employers in England, of all sizes and in all sectors, to improve the skills of their employees, unlock talent and drive improved business performance. A key element of Train to Gain is the skills brokerage service which offers free impartial advice, and helps find the best training solution from high quality and responsive training providers to meet business needs.

Apprentice Award

Apprenticeships are also run through the Learning and Skills Council. They can make organisations more effective, productive and competitive by addressing skills gaps directly. They are designed to help employees reach a high level of competency and performance by combining classroom and practical, on-the-job learning. There are over 180 different Apprenticeship frameworks available across 80 different industry sectors. To find out more about the LSC London please go to http://www.skillsforlondon.org/

Business of the Year Award

TNG, part of Avanta Enterprise Ltd, has over 25 years experience and is one of the UK's largest training providers. TNG delivers, through its large number of Government contracts, a tailored training and mentoring service linked to local labour market needs to support people from welfare into work. TNG also delivers training to employed individuals who wish to gain vocational qualifications, and works with businesses to meet the needs of both individuals and their organisations. TNG specialises in assisting hard-to-reach groups such as the long term unemployed, lone parents, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities.

“TNG is proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 Thames Gateway Business Awards. Local businesses have an important part to play in the community, supporting regeneration through employment and helping the local economy. We are pleased to be able to play a part in recognising and celebrating the achievements of businesses in the region.”

Innovation Award

The University of East London (UEL) and Knowledge Dock, UEL's enterprise development service, is once again proud to sponsor the Innovation Category at this year's Thames Gateway Business Awards. Knowledge Dock, with its impressive array of enterprise support services, such as the Knowledge Dock Business Centre, access to student talent and academic consultancy, helps to connect SMEs to the expertise and resources of UEL to help them develop and grow their business.

Marketing

For the past twenty years Lynhurst Press has provided and maintained an outstanding reputation for producing high quality print to some of the UK’s largest companies. Using litho and digital presses enables us to cater for both large and small requirements.

The exceptional service we provide is delivered to all of our clients through the professionalism and eye to detail of our staff at Lynhurst Press.

Growth Business

Utilize is a Microsoft Gold partner and one of the fastest growing ICT providers in the Thames Gateway area. From its Hornchurch office, a 50-strong team of IT consultants and Sage specialists manage over 500 customer sites throughout London and the South-East.

Utilize support services range from an 8-hour response to 24-hour cover with the option of its award-winning 24/7/365 network monitoring service. The company provides a wide range of network solutions for the small to medium-sized business including PC hardware provision, server installations, online backup services, email solutions, anti-spam software, Web security products, Internet connectivity and specialist printer repairs. The company is also a supplier of Siemens office phone systems as well as mobile voice and data solutions from all major providers.

Following its acquisition of a local Sage partner in 2007, Utilize created a specialist software division within its business. This strategic move has proved popular with customers as it is enabling Utilize to unite hardware support with Sage application support in a single all-encompassing contract.

As a previous Thames Gateway award winner, Utilize is please to be giving something back this year and wishes all entrants the very best of luck.

Outstanding Young Person of the Year

"Winner of the Outstanding Young Person of the Year category will win 2 tickets to the MOBO awards which are taking place at SECC, Glasgow, Scotland and Wednesday 30th September".

Best Use of Technology

SPX Rail Systems a division of SPX Hydraulic Technologies are part of the SPX Corporation based in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

While SPX corporate headquarters is in Charlotte, North Carolina, they have operations in 35 countries around the world. You will find SPX companies in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe, as well as in the Americas — and are continuing to grow. Visit our web site www.spx.com for more details.

SPX Rail Systems who are based in Dagenham, Essex design and manufacture point operation equipment and Level Crossing Barriers.  The business has over 40 years experience in the design and supply of Point Actuation Systems and Level Crossing Barriers 

The SPX Clamplockâ„¢ system uses the latest In-Bearer technology and is designed to meet the requirements of conventional and high speed applications for the Global Rail Networks. The SPX Clamplockâ„¢ design makes it suitable for most rail profiles including CEN60 and the modular structure aids installation and maintenance. To meet the requirements for the need to reduce maintenance costs and increase performance and reliability, SPX Clamplockâ„¢ system incorporates Automatic Lubrication and can be supplied with condition monitoring which predicts failures before they occur

The SPX Level Crossing Barriers are the standard units fitted in the UK and can be adapted to suit the requirements of the International Level Crossing design engineer.

All products are manufactured to ISO 9001: 2000 Quality Management System and uses Lean Manufacturing Tools and Techniques.

Our dedicated team of Engineers are continually striving to design systems to meet the ever increasing demands of the global Rail Networks.  

The SPX Rail Systems team are committed to supplying a world class service for the supply of equipment to the global Rail Industry   

Diversity in Business

Innovate Her will help boost your business in the current challenging environment. By joining the Innovate Her network of like-minded women, you’ll get inspiration, information and innovation.

Based at the UK’s first purpose-built Women’s Business Centre in East London, our team of expert business counsellors and network of female business owners can help you innovate with new products, new services, and new systems 

Innovate Her is open to all forward thinking female entrepreneurs*. Join Innovate Her and watch your business grow!

 

Innovate Her is delighted to be sponsoring the Diversity in Business Award at the 2009 Thames Gateway Awards.

*Open to women-owned business trading in Newham. Tower Hamlets and Hackney

Project part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund

Marketing Award

Thomson Snell & Passmore is a highly respected legal practice and one of the largest law firms in the South East of England employing over 200 staff. The firm is ranked by the leading independent guides to UK law firms in 25 specialist practice areas and a number of individuals are quoted as leaders in their field. We have achieved this by continuously aligning ourselves with our client's ever changing needs as well as ensuring that we provide quality and practical legal advice to both businesses and individual clients.

Kip McGrath, a well established Australian tutoring Franchise are the largest teacher led independent tutoring company in the world with over 30 years of experience. Its renowned successful methods are in seven countries and the foundations of its growth come from traditional teaching methods combined with latest technology which enables children to drive themselves to high achievement.  Children improve their national curriculum levels in English, maths, reading, writing and spelling. Kip McGrath specialises in individualised learning programmes that build confidence and boost self esteem. Ambika says, "The children are our prime focus, outstanding customer service to kids is the Kip McGrath recipe for success".

Kip McGrath UK London & Eastern England Region are very proud to be a sponsor of the 2009 Thames Gateway Business Awards. Outstanding Customer Service helps bring back repeat business and parents and children have benefited from quality supplementary education that makes a difference. We are committed to raising educational standards in the local community and enriching the Thames Gateway areas by supporting build businesses of value to the region. We are delighted to be able to play a part in recognising and celebrating the achievements of local businesses.

Associate Sponsor

Tower Hamlets College is a general Further Education College in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London with a turnover of approximately £30 million. Serving the community out of five centres, the College provides academic and vocational training for 16-18 year olds, training and education for adult learners, employment advice and training to support people into work, training and consultancy to employers throughout London.

Associate Sponsor

PowerVote is an audience response system which allows any participants at a meeting or a conference to answer questions directly, through individual keypads. 100% integrated into PowerPoint, the results are instantly displayed visualy via graphs and charts. PowerVote is a perfect tool for education, training, and marketing & communication event. If you want to know more, please visit: www.powervote.co.uk

Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex. The Foundation is eager to help young people take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. The major focus of our work is the Achievement Award Scheme. Since it has been established the Foundation has awarded grants totalling over £50million.