Member Article

UCLan backs the BIBAs

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is continuing its support of the Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs) after endorsing the ceremony for over a decade.

In addition to sponsoring the Business Person of the Year category, the University is helping support the winners of the BIBAs through the delivery of an academy of excellence.

One of Lancashire’s biggest and longest running awards ceremonies, the BIBAs is organised by the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Winners of the awards are enrolled on the BIBAs Academy, a year-long programme which provides advice, support and expertise required to help achieve further success.

The winners will receive valuable insight from the county’s most successful business leaders through a series of masterclasses and workshops held at UCLan’s Preston campus.

Representatives from UCLan including Dr John Lonsdale, Director of Innovation and Enterprise, Professor Sue Smith, Director of the Centre for SME development, Alison Hitchen, the Centre Manager and Dr Allison Jones, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, will also form part of the judging panel to help determine the winner of the Business Person of the Year award.

Businesses across Lancashire are now being encouraged to enter the BIBAs, with categories including employer of the year, small business of the year and family business of the year, with March 31 the deadline for applications.

The awards ceremony will take place later this year on September 15 at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Professor Sue Smith said: “UCLan is always keen to support the county’s business community in any way possible and we’re thrilled to be on-board with the BIBAs for 2017 by sponsoring a category and through the delivery of the winners’ academy. We strongly encourage Lancashire businesses to put themselves forward for this year’s awards, and look forward to meeting the nominees when the judging process begins in May.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by UCLan .