A “Secret Millionaire” from Newcastle-under-Lyme is set to add extra sparkle to the borough’s Business Boost Awards.
Dominic List will be the guest speaker at the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Boost Awards presentation night.
And the annual competition has received a further boost as high levels of sponsorship has allowed organisers to increase the Business Boost prize pot.
Category winners will now receive £1,500 each to help towards a business project, an increase of £500 on 2014.
Born in Silverdale, Dominic List is Chairman of IT solutions and services companies Comtact and Comtact Healthcare that leverage cloud, convergence and mobility technologies to drive employee productivity and performance.
The creation of two technology companies worth £10m+ in just four years led to an approach from Channel 4, producers of the popular Secret Millionaire TV programme, The programme featured Dominic going undercover, resulting in him helping to fund several community projects in Peckham, London.
Dominic said: “I have always had an eye for business and a passion for encouraging UK company growth. I was, therefore, delighted to be asked to attend the Business Boost final and I am looking forward to hearing about, and helping to celebrate, growing businesses in my home area.”
This year’s Business Boost final will be held on Thursday, October 8 in the new £3.5 million Donaldson Hall at Newcastle-under-Lyme School.
The Business Boost Awards looks at the potential of the borough’s small and medium sized businesses and works to encourage their growth.
Cash prizes are on offer, along with subsidised apprenticeships and membership of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, for the winning businesses. Entrants are also given practical help in areas such as honing their business plans.
The competition was founded in 2008 and is supported by a number of local entrepreneurs, along with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Keele University Science and Business Park and Aspire Housing.
Past winners have included Best of British Beer, Park Hill Farm, Appointments Personnel, Peak Pursuits, Little Trove and Rydale Roofing.
Business Boost is open to all small businesses that pay their rates or council tax to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council regardless of whether they employ people or work out of their bedroom.
There are three categories; Entrepreneurial Spirit, Customer Focus and Recognising Social Enterprise, each with its own respective winner. This year, for the first time, there will be an overall winner, awarded to the business with the potential to have the greatest impact on the local economy.
Closing date for entries is August 9. For competition details and the application form go online to http://www.businessboostawards.org.uk.
Bernard Lovatt, Chair of the Business Boost Committee, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Dominic to the Business Boost awards. Our project is about inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and Dominic is a fantastic example of what can be achieved.
“I’d also like to thank Newcastle-under-Lyme School for agreeing to host the awards event for the first time. The Donaldson Hall is a fabulous new space and will allow us to accommodate over 100 guests in comfort.”
ENDS
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