Noel Chadwick Ltd :: British Small Business Champions 2004

British Small Business Champions 2004 :: A Grand Day Out

Now in its 3rd year, British Small Business Champions - sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Lloyds TSB and the Mirror Group newspapers - provides a showcase to celebrate the outstanding achievements of British small businesses, and to recognise the success of entrepreneurs.

This year, British Small Business Champions attracted record levels of interest from both young and well-established enterprises operating right across the business spectrum throughout the UK. Six regional winners from North, Central and South England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales were chosen to go through to the National final.

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The Road To The Final
Back in May, John's daughter - Rebecca - decided that there was nothing to lose, and filled in a detailed application form to participate in this year's competition.

Then in June, she was informed that Noel Chadwick Ltd had been short-listed and that a Regional judge would be visiting to carry out assessments.

When the judge - Mrs Linda Taylor of LTA Recruitment

(last year's Northen region runner-up) - arrived, she was shown around the business, including the abattoir, shop, and 1817 cafe bar and restaurant. She also got the chance to meet and interview the management and staff.

Just before she left, she told John and Rebecca that Noel Chadwick Ltd was going to be a Regional finalist. She just had to argue her case and convince her other judging colleagues...which she did magnificently!

On 22nd September, members of the Chadwick family - with other representatives of the business - attended a lavish awards ceremony at Old Trafford, Manchester. After speeches from last year's National winner and special guest - Jason Robinson - the winner of the Northern England region was announced. It was Noel Chadwick Ltd!

Next stop, the National final on 10th November at Claridges, London.

The Big Day Arrives [top]
On the morning of 10th November, John and wife Maureen, together with daughter Rebecca and her husband Peter, departed Wigan for the evening's award ceremony at Claridges.

All four representatives of the business were originally to arrive at Claridges at 18:30pm for a Champagne Reception before the ceremony started. However, a few weeks prior, Rebecca had been informed of an alteration to the arrangements. Not only was there going to be a Champagne Reception at Claridges, there was also going to be a reception held at No. 11 Downing Street - hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself, Gordon Brown MP. Two representatives of the business had to be nominated to meet the Chancellor...and it was John and Rebecca.

So, as evening came, John and Rebecca left for Downing Street, while Maureen and son-in-law Peter left for Claridges.

A Trip To Number 11 Downing Street [top]
Here is Rebecca's account of her trip to Downing Street.

"After an hour-long briefing session at the FSB's offices at Catherine Place, we left for Downing Street. At exactly 5:25 pm, our car pulled-up outside, and we were ushered through the main gates. Once we passed through security, we were soon walking down one of the most famous streets in the world. We were not allowed to stop at Number 10, though, as apparently this is not the done thing. So, we continued on to Number 11.

"Once inside, Dad and myself were shown to the State Room where we awaited - along with the other Regional winners - the arrival of the Chancellor, Nigel Griffiths MP, and Stephen Timms MP.

"After a brief chat with Nigel Griffiths, I lined up for the official photo shoot. A spare place was vacated on my left for the Chancellor.

Rebecca, Gordon Brown, and other Regional winners

"Gordon was running late, but when I finally met him, he showed a great deal of interest in what we did and then slotted into the gap left for him perfectly! (see above). Unfortunately, because Dad was not in the photo, he did not have the chance to speak to Gordon...just as well, really!

"All too soon, our time at Downing Street had come to an end, and we - and the other finalists - dashed back to our hotels for a quick change before the National awards ceremony began at Claridges."

Champagne At Claridges [top]
Meanwhile, Maureen and Peter had the unenviable task of socialising - with representatives from the other Regional winners - while drinking Champagne on the 6th floor of Claridges. Apparently, it was a tough challenge - but one which they admirably rose to.

As the start of the ceremony drew close, all four met up again on the ground floor of the hotel - ready for the evening's event.

The Ceremony Starts [top]
The evening began with an excellent meal - as you would expect from Claridges - accompanied with copious amounts of wine, served by excellent waiting staff. With over 200 people in attendance, they worked extremely hard on the night, and were an absolute credit to the hotel and the event itself.

After the meal, TV newsreader Fiona Armstrong took to the stage to host proceedings as the ceremony started in earnest.

All the Regional winners, including the Merit winner, were presented in-turn with their awards. Before each winner was presented with their cut-glass trophy, a video - filmed at their place of work - was shown to the audience. For Noel Chadwick Ltd, John had been filmed (watch the video now). It's probably safe to say that John's video was the best received on the night, showing a relaxed and charismatic businessman. When the video finished, a roar of approval erupted as the John, Rebecca, Maureen, and Peter made their way to the stage to accept the award.

Once all the Regional awards had been made, Sir Christopher Meyer - Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission - took to the stage and delivered a speech about business enterprise.

Then, following a comfort break, it was time for the big announcement.

And The National Winner Is... [top]

It was approximately 22:15 pm. It was time to learn who had won the overall, National award.

Fiona Armstrong returned to the microphone and addressed the tense audience before producing the envelope with the National winner's name inside.

After a long pause, she announced the winner...Noel Chadwick Ltd. The spotlight aimed directly at the winner's table, music blasted into life (Heather Small's [M-People] Proud), and the audience erupted into a spontaneous cheer.

John, Maureen, Rebecca, and Peter then made their way to the stage to accept the National award - an emotional and very proud moment. John then made a short acceptance speech - with the memorable opening line "...Well, bloody hell...".

After the speech and photographs, the award ceremony was officially at an end. Numerous representatives from the sponsors and runners-up offered their congratulations. Once again, it is a credit to the event that the runners-up - though disappointed - were so generous with their comments and praise afterwards.

After more socialising and drinking into the wee small hours of the morning, it was time to go. The only problem...how to get four rather tipsy adults, with two large boxes containing delicate cut-glass trophies and a very large banner, back to the hotel safely!

Next stop...New York!

John delivering his National winner's speech

John - now in full flow - delivering his National winner's speech

Maureen, John, and Rebecca with the National award

Maureen and John with the National award

Carol Undy, John, Maureen, and Sir Christopher Meyer with the National award

Daily Mirror Article [top]

In recognition of British Small Business Champions 2004, the Daily Mirror - one of the event's sponsors - printed a fantastic article on Wednesday, 17th November in its Your Money supplement. The article - entitled "We Are The Champions" - occupied a centre, double-page spread. Click on the thumbnail on the right for a detailed image.

If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help.

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