IN WHAT surely must be a sign of the times, Credit Today has launched what it called the first set of national awards to recognise the "very best in the insolvency and rescue sectors".
In an economic downturn, the accountants and lawyers who spec
ialise in insolvency work and corporate recovery are bound to do well – and will be rewarded for their efforts with a new set of gongs.
As the credit crunch continues to bite and businesses face a tougher outlook, the magazine has unveiled a host of awards, including "insolvency practitioner of the year" and "corporate recovery firm of the year".
The 19 categories also include corporate recovery firm of the year and a prize for the top insolvency litigation team.
Kelly Stanley, spokesperson for the Insolvency and Rescue Awards, said: "It's a real opportunity for professionals in these fields to shine".
The judges include Patrick Boyden, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Ian Roberts, head of Royal Bank of Scotland's business recovery group specialised lending services.
Entrants have until 31 July to submit their nominations before the awards are presented at a gala dinner in London, in October.
FACT OF THE DAY
£16.3mSCOTTISH Enterprise (SE) has pumped £16.3 million into businesses through its research and development grant scheme in the first six months of the year.
More than £100m has been invested in total, according to the government agency. Carole McCarthy, director of innovation at SE, said: "For every £1 in grant contribution the public sector has made, the private sector has contributed more than £6".
KILLER QUOTE"OUR customers are adults and can make their own decisions about diet. We have offered healthier options but shoppers don't buy them in the same quantities as our regular products. Besides, I eat an awful lot of our products and I don't think of myself as fat."
Sir Michael Darrington, who is retiring as managing director of bakery chain Greggs
GOOD DAY
Claude SystemsDALGETY Bay-based Claude Systems has completed a contract to supply airport operator BAA with 130 induction loops and 20 speech enhancement systems for Heathrow's new Terminal 5. Every third check-in counter now has an induction loop.
BAD DAY
Broadband users BUSINESSES are losing efficiency because of the UK's slow average broadband speeds, the Communications Management Association said. About a third of businesses questioned by the CMA said they currently do not receive satisfactory access to the net.
The full article contains 417 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
