A host of companies across Greater Manchester have been named finalists in the Greater Manchester Business Awards 2020, with the winners to be announced in a virtual award ceremony in September. Judging the awards will be an independent panel of business peers and the virtual show will raise money for children's and young people's mental health charity, Pennine Care.

The awards, which are organised by the Rich Media Group celebrate ​the ​professionalism ​and ​excellence ​of ​businesses ​and ​organisations ​in ​Greater ​Manchester and feature eight categories including Business of the Year (under 10 employees); Business of the Year (over 10 employees); Business Person of the Year; Business Innovation/New Business; Customer Service Excellence; Community and Social Responsibility; Employer Of The Year and Wellbeing in the Workplace.

Finalists include GC Business Growth Hub clients:

• Depledge Strategic Wealth Management Ltd, a Trafford based financial planning services company shortlisted in the Business of the Year (under 10 employees) category
• Forty3 Media, a web design agency based in Oldham who is also a finalist for the Business of the Year (under 10 employees) category
• Sudlows, data centre and infrastructure specialists nominated for the wellbeing in the workplace award and for the business person of the year category recognising Managing Director, Andy Hirst
• Motion Videos UK, an independent animation, motion graphics, and creative video design studio in Oldham recognised in the business innovation category.

Commenting on the company’s recognition as a finalist in the Greater Manchester Business Awards 2020, Scott Green, founder of Motion Videos UK said:

“Since my 2008 BA Hons in interactive motion design, I have come a long way and worked with a range of local and international businesses, marketing agencies and brands. I have all the technical gear you would expect from a creative video design studio, but more importantly I have the ideas. Ideas that inspire, educate, entertain, all with the aim of transforming my clients’ prospects into customers and turning their investment into success.

Being a finalist in the Business Innovation category, is a tremendous honour. My journey so far has made me a proud business owner and being recognised for my creativity and innovation which is always at the heart of everything I do is extremely rewarding”.

Over the past year, Scott had worked closely with the Hub’s People, Skills and Talent team and the mentoring service, and engaged with Specialist Advisor, Neil McCluskey in early 2020 to discuss his business model, challenges and long term plan.

Following recommendation from Neil, Scott applied and took part in Greater Connected, the Hub’s cohort programme designed to help Digital, Creative and Tech (DCT) businesses grow through clarity, focus and community. The 12-hour intensive support from the programme enabled Scott to rethink his value proposition and core message and better position the business in the marketplace.

Speaking about the support received from the Hub, Scott said:

“Working with Neil over the past couple of months has been fantastic and it has helped me refocus and crystallise my business proposition. I now have a better understanding of what I need to do, to help my business grow even further and that starts with a clear business plan with proper goals”.

If you are a Greater Manchester digital, creative and tech (DCT) business you can access high-impact support and specialist guidance from one of our expert advisors. Enquire now.