Media Centre: News Releases
Neutralize (*\*) wins two business awards
July 12th, 2005
The brilliant seeds of economic success were celebrated at an awards ceremony recognising the hard work of young entrepreneurs in Cornwall.
Women swept the board at the event - the first of its kind to be held by the Hub young persons' business network and Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). Awards were presented for a variety of achievements, commending entrepreneurs under the age of 30 who have set up their own business in the county.
Lucy Cokes won Best Use of Technology and the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year for her business Neutralize (*\*), an internet search engine marketing company based in Camborne. Since setting up the company six years ago, Neutralize (*\*) has grown into one of the biggest search engine marketing agencies in the UK.
Lucy said: "I was really pleased to win and I think it's fantastic that it was three ladies. I think all the awards were well deserved. My team at Neutralize (*\*) put a great deal of effort into keeping us at the top of our game nationally and internationally, as such we are much better known amongst hardcore internet businesses, so its really nice to get some local recognition."
Jo Hurley picked up the accolade for Best Business Concept with her company, Sea Squirts. She specialises in educating children about the marine environment with rock pooling expeditions and snorkelling trips.
Helen Gilchrist, editor and publisher of Falmouth-based Stranger magazine, won awards for Best Marketing Strategy and Best Promotion of Cornwall. She said: "We've been overwhelmed by how positive the response has been."
Martin Follett of Follett Stock solicitors and CCCI said during the event at the St Michael's Hotel: "I think we will be making this an annual event. What we can see here are young people who can be role models for others to show that this is a really vibrant place to do business. It's and indication of what's going on in Cornwall at the moment. This is an exciting place to be."
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, added: "These young businesswomen are to be congratulated on their achievements. New ideas, new markets and new ways of conducting successful business by this younger generation are the seeds of our economic success in the future."
The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hub Awards are sponsored by Follett Stock solicitors, Clowance Country Club, Exhibitions South West, Pooleys chartered accountants and Nokia. The Hub is sponsored by Cornwall Enterprise, Lloyds TSB plc, Winter Rule, Finance Cornwall, Follett Stock, Education Business Partnership, Trading Pages and Pirate FM.
About
Neutralize
http://www.neutralize.com
Tel: 0870 0630707
Neutralize
is one of the UK’s leading full service search engine
marketing agencies. In 2005 Neutralize were Finalists for "Marketing
Firm of the Year" in the UK Innovation and Growth Awards and
are committee members of SMA
UK (the Search Marketing Association UK) and
Nominet.
About
the Hub
http://www.cornwallhub.org
The Hub is a business network created and run by young business people
in Cornwall. The Hub aims to offer networking opportunities to like-minded
members of the Cornish business community and provide a link to the established
business community. The Hub has been in existence since January 2003,
and now boasts over 500 members from the business community across Cornwall,
making it the fastest growing business network in the South West.
