Pictured above: Charlotte Prow (Wilsons' MD), Chris Taylor and Jeremy Cope of Smith Cooper (headline sponsor of the Midlands Family Business Awards 2011), Annabel Prow (Wilsons CEO); (Wilsons underwrites the not-for-profit Awards' initiative)

This year's Midlands Family Business Awards, the only initiative in the region that recognises family-run or owned businesses and their leaders, has launched with new categories and sponsors.  

One of the Midlands' leading accounting and business advisory firms, Smith Cooper, is headline title sponsor of this year's Awards, which launched in 2010 and is underwritten by Nottingham insurance and and financial advisory firm The Wilson Organisation, itself a third generation family business.

Aviva, Barclays, Key Personnel, Positive Outcomes, PwC, Roythornes and Unum is each also confirmed as an individual category sponsor in the 2011 Awards, which will once again run as a charitable, not-for-profit initiative, with The Children's Society, The Willow Foundation and The Venture Foundation named as beneficiaries for the second year.

Also new for the 2011 Awards are categories entitled 'Rural Family Business of the Year', 'Service Excellence' and 'Best Small Family Business'.

The total ten categories also include Business Innovation, Commitment to the Community, Fastest Growth, International Development and Leading Adviser to Family Businesses.

Details of the 2011 Awards and its portfolio of sponsors were unveiled at launch events in Nottingham and Birmingham last week (5th and 6th April). Speaking at the event, the Awards' Project Manager Hilary Campton explained that entries for the Awards can be made from the 3rd May until the 30th June 2011, adding: 

"We are thrilled to be launching the Awards with so many quality sponsors already in place - without them, the Awards wouldn't be possible - and with three categories that are new for this year.

"With only a few weeks until the Awards open for submissions, it is important entrants know they can nominate themselves or their own business, or nominate on behalf of a friend, client or contact. Furthermore, all Award entries are free. Businesses can enter more than one category and as well as the online Award submission process on the website www.familybusinessawards.co.uk this year we are introducing a paper entry option and forms can be downloaded from our website."

Annabel Prow, CEO of Wilsons added: "The contribution family businesses make to both the regional and national economy is all too often underestimated. Independent surveys indicate that family businesses account for 65 percent of private sector enterprises in the UK - that's three million firms employing in the region of 10 million people, or 42 percent of the UK's total employed. Family businesses make a significant contribution to the UK economy, and this year, the Awards will continue its work towards changing perceptions, as well as shine a worthy spotlight on the great work of the Midlands' family owned and managed businesses."

Smith Cooper's Chris Taylor, the firm's managing director in Nottingham, adds: "Smith Cooper is both delighted and excited to be involved as headline sponsor of this year's Awards. The objectives and demographic of the Awards fits well with the firm's core client base of predominantly Midlands-based OMB's and family businesses, and will represent a key focus for our business development activities throughout 2011. We have enjoyed a long professional relationship with Wilsons which adds to our anticipation and delight over being involved with the Awards this year."

For more information about the Midlands Family Business Awards 2011 and details of all ten categories, sponsors and how to enter and get involved, visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk, or contact Ped Briggs, The Wilson Organisation, Tel: 0115 942 0111, email: pbriggs@wilorg.com. 

All Award finalists and winners will be unveiled at a prestigious ceremony in Birmingham on Thursday 17th November 2011.

The Wilson Organisation, based in Nottingham, is underwriting the Midlands Family Business Awards. The company provides professional independent insurance, financial, risk management and corporate finance solutions to businesses and individuals both regionally and nationally. It is a Top 100 UK independent broker and has developed innovative solutions through strong relationships with insurers and financial services providers. For more information, visit: www.wilorg.com, or Tel: 0115 942 0111.