Punch announced as National Business Award Finalist

One of the UK’s leading pub companies, Punch Taverns, has been shortlisted for the Business Enabler of the Year Award at this year’s National Business Awards.

Going up against nine businesses across different industries, Punch will compete for the prestigious award, with the winner being revealed at the National Business Awards gala dinner held on 12 November in London.

Charles Ward, judge for the category said: “The traditional pub trade is suffering from a similar malaise to high street retail. Failure rates are alarming so the Punch Franchise Tenancy model is a true innovation in supporting pub entrepreneurs to buck the trend through up-skilling managers and encouraging differentiation.

Andy Slee, External Affairs Director, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this year’s awards. This year, we have introduced a number of initiatives, such as the Punch Franchise Tenancy, to get our licensees off to the best start whilst continuing to support them throughout their journey with us.  

 “I want to thank our licensees and the Punch Taverns team for their hard work at getting us to this stage and I look forward to the finals in November.”

Over 150 of Britain’s leading businesses, business leaders and social enterprises have today been revealed as finalists for the 2013 National Business Awards.

The finalists announced yesterday represent 15 categories including the Croner Employer of the Year, the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year and Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year. The Leader of the Year finalists  and Decade of Excellence winner will be announced over the coming months.

This year’s shortlisted businesses have a collective global turnover of more than £341 billion, covering activities as diverse as telecoms, construction, entertainment, publishing and manufacturing.  One fifth of the finalists turnover more than £1 billion annually – with the lowest turnover peaking at £30k and highest reaching £55 billion. They represent regions from all over Britain including London, Exeter, Glasgow and Cardiff.

Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of judges for the National Business Awards, said: “These organisations and leaders represent exceptional success over the past year.  The environment has been tough; these are the firms leading the way to growth.  There’s a broad spectrum of sectors represented, as well as organisations of very different sizes, reflecting the diversity of British business and the vitality of our economy.  Congratulations to all our finalists.”

Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “The quality of finalists is outstanding every year – with Britain’s most promising new businesses and most impactful social enterprises recognised alongside top performing SMEs and the most sustainable mid market and large cap firms.”

Finalists were chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated for the titles. They will now prepare to make presentations to expert juries who will decide the category winners. The overall winners across all 17 categories will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 12 November at the Grosvenor House, London.

Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists and to book a table at the event.

The National Business Awards supports The Prince’s Trust, a charity that offers practical and financial support to young people who need it.