Rochdale Business Awards launch

Steering Group chair Steve Lowe, from NatWest Business and Commercial Banking, formally launched this year's Business Awards

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Rochdale 2012 was launched when sponsors, past winners and guests gathered at Springhill Hospice.

Steering Group chair Steve Lowe, from NatWest Business and Commercial Banking, formally launched this year's Business Awards, announcing that the gala presentation dinner will be in the Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday November 2.

He thanked the ongoing sponsorship from the companies and organisations who were involved last year and welcomed the new category sponsors, Richard Whittaker Ltd. and YFM Partners.

During the course of the evening, Bamford Contract Services came forward to sponsor the champagne reception.

NIPR, the AV contractors, launched a DVD of last year's gala dinner after a speech by Kitsa Efthymiadis, from Molesworths Solicitors, on why the law firm sponsored last year's inaugural awards and the benefits the firm had gained for being involved.

Sue Rigby, from Business of the Year winners Richard Whittaker Ltd., spoke of the excitement generated by the firm's short-listing, and the sheer joy of winning.

Joanne Cochrane and Martina Roche, from Start -up Business of the Year Tracing Steps Theatre and Dance Company, echoed her words and told the invited audience that their success had convinced the business partners to go full-time with their new venture.

“We have used our success to market ourselves all over Greater Manchester – we now work with 650 people each week,” said Martina.

The evening closed with Mr Lowe presenting a cheque to Christine Webb, the chief executive of Springhill Hospice, to bolster the more than £2,300 raised on the evening of the gala dinner for the hospice, the nominated charity of the business awards.