Business Excellence Awards 2021: Firm shows support after tough year
AFTER seeing how many businesses have struggled over the past year, one firm has taken it upon itself to do something to show its support.
Citrus IT Support, which is based in Portsmouth, has stepped up to sponsor the Medium Business of the Year category at this year’s The News Business Excellence Awards - helping to ensure this important event goes ahead.
The annual awards are set to return in May with a glittering ceremony at Portsmouth Guildhall, recognising the best in business across a range of sectors and categories.
Citrus IT Support director Daniel O’Brien said: ‘Last year was a bad year for many of us, now there is light at the end of the tunnel we wanted to be a part of something that celebrates the success of business in the city. Now more than ever is the time to support local businesses.
‘We work with many businesses and have seen how they have struggled through the pandemic. We really wanted to support.’
Citrus IT support was founded in 1994 and run as a small IT company supplying IT support, communications and consultancy in Hampshire. It was originally started by David Grenfell until it was merged in to the Citrus Group in 2020.
Daniel encouraged firms to get involved with the awards.
He added: ‘Portsmouth has been ranked number one on a list of the UK’s most entrepreneurial cities. By taking part you are rubbing shoulders with some of the best business owners in the UK.
‘There is a chance to network, meet like-minded business owners and be in the spotlight. We love going to build our network and to hear the inspirational success stories.’
Pat Smith, from lead sponsor the University of Portsmouth said: ‘This is an exciting category, where innovation, pioneering of new markets or the successful setting up of a major new operation, will need to be demonstrated.
‘These are all areas that help medium-sized businesses to grow.‘Last year's category winner was My Learning Cloud, who also won the Overall Business of the Year. I wonder if this year's recipients will also do the double.’