BIBAs will leave a lasting legacy

That was the message today from organisers of the Be Inspired Business Awards, which went off with a bang at a sell-out event at Blackpool Tower.

Planning is already under way for 2015 after Friday night’s massive event .

BIBAs organisers at the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce are now looking to the future with legacy projects following the prize-giving ceremony.

The chamber is launching the BIBAs Academy alongside Lancaster University Management School to deliver a top end support package to its winners.

Also new is the BIBAs Foundation, a fund made up of donations from leading members of Lancashire’s business community which will be handed to organisations and charities throughout the county.

Chamber vice-president Norman Tenray, the managing director of Longridge-based builders’ merchants, OBAS UK, said: “Far from handing out trophies and then leaving it at that, the BIBAs is continuing its support for its winners with a fantastic package being offered by the BIBAs Academy, and helping make Lancashire a better place through the BIBAs Foundation.

“Yet again, these awards are leading where the rest follow.”

Babs Murphy, chief executive of the chamber, said: “The BIBAs has been raising the bar for Lancashire’s business community for many years and it has achieved this yet again.

“We have not only selected the very best of the best from the more than 1,200 firms which applied for our awards, we have thrown the spotlight on the wealth of talent our county has.

“Our business community is rarely recognised for the crucial role it plays in our communities, providing jobs and investment and an opportunity for entrepreneurial talent to be realised, so we believe passionately in celebrating businesses’ contribution to Lancashire.”

A total of 19 BIBAs were handed out on the night, which was attended by more than 1,000 business people and guests.

Singer Peter Andre was the surprise performer at the event.

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