BD 02/08 - 05 June 2008

Amazed to discover that despite ELSBC’s remarkable achievements over the past 30 years ELSBC shied away from the limelight a nomination form was quietly submitted under the category “Customer Focus”, which was sponsored by O2, to the Docklands Business Club and East London Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2008. ELSBC have always been modest about their long established success in supporting micro-enterprises and small businesses across communities particularly in the most disadvantaged areas of east London.

In 2006 - 2007 the new businesses ELSBC supported injected £2 million new capital and created over 700 new jobs in east London. 3,800 people contacted ELSBC and registered an interest in their services. This is an ELSBC record compared to the previous year’s performance by 40%. The number of businesses that started up through ELSBC exceeded 400, and, with new work in the pipeline, ELSBC anticipate this figure may push over 500 in this financial year. Over 6,000 face to face counselling sessions took place (up 35%) and 535 clients attended ELSBC’s free four day Business Training course.

Barking & Dagenham Small Business Centre (BDSBC), a division of ELSBC, was delighted to open offices on Longbridge Road in January 2007. Within 12 months BDSBC helped to create over 130 new businesses, a 540% increase on previous years, and saw enquiries increase by 429% to almost 1300.

ELSBC were shortlisted and then selected as finalists. ELSBC wanted to share their special evening with Public and Private Sector organisations whose support had been invaluable. This included Ms Vicky Mirfin - Head of Community Affairs Lloyds, Mr Roger Beales - The Greater London Deputy Agent Bank of England and senior representatives from Barclays, Nabarro, Barking and Dagenham Enterprise and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

The Award Ceremony took place in the prestigious Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Tim Heath, ELSBC CEO, collected the “highly commended finalist” certificate. He was, by his own admission, delightfully confused to find himself hurriedly ushered back to the stage for a second time:

“…It was with pride that ELSBC was awarded a very special and unprecedented award last night for our “unique contribution to the economic growth in the five east London boroughs over the last 30 years”. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to make ELSBC the place for communities to be supported in enterprise. I would also like to thank Eseoghene Okonedo (Communications Manager) and Jane Coglan (Finance and Administration Director) for their efforts in compiling our application for the Customer Focus Award which so impressed the Judges they made this unique and very special award just for us” beamed Tim.

The awards are on display at ELSBC’s Wentworth Street office.