With their work judged to be amongst the best in the area, East Anglia finalists Business Link have earned places on the shortlists for the Corporate and Business Communications and the Best Newspaper or Magazine categories.

Following a scrupulous judging process, the ‘Open for Business’ campaign, launched in February to support pubs in the region, was identified as an outstanding Corporate and Business Communications campaign. Similarly, The Know - the bi-annual publication produced by Business Link, specifically for the purpose of communicating directly with its clients – was deemed to be one of the best of its kind.

Pat Smith, Chief Executive of Business Link in the East of England said: “We are extremely happy to have our hard work recognised in this way; reaching the shortlist is a tremendous achievement for our communications and marketing team. Whilst our focus is and continues to be on supporting the region’s small and medium sized businesses, recognition from a third party provides reassurance that our communications are of a top quality standard.”

Ann Mealor, CIPR Acting Director General said: “This year more than ever, consultancies and organisations entering the PRide Awards want to spotlight their achievements while boosting morale - and being a PRide finalist does just that. Having gone through rigorous judging, to reach the shortlist is a great achievement and I offer my congratulations to all those who have reached this stage of the competition.”

The PRide Awards black-tie dinner will take place on Monday 7th December, at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Stansted Airport.

About Business Link in the East of England:

Business Link provides information, practical advice and support to help people to start, run or grow their businesses

Our clients fall in to two main categories:

-Those running or working in established small and medium sized businesses

-Those who want to start their own business

Both client groups can access independent, impartial and, in most instances, free help and support from Business Link in the form of:

-Free one-to-one help from an experienced Business Adviser (established businesses) or Enterprise Awareness Manager (start-ups)

-Workshops and briefings on a range of business subjects such as business planning, sales and marketing, legislation, developing people

-Telephone and online support through our Regional Information and Intelligence centre

Business Link in the East of England works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

Business Link is a government initiative to promote enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency