News & Events

Local Enterprise Agency Scoops Another National Award

Best Rural Programme 2008

The Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale has received a second National Enterprise Award from the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA). Last year the local Agency won an award for its Outreach activities; this year’s award recognises its Rural Programme.

Charlotte Stow accepting the award on behalf of the Enterprise Agency said, “Given that there are 190 independent Enterprise Agencies nationwide, all working exceptionally hard to innovate, inspire and deliver, we are absolutely delighted to have received an award for the second year running.”

With stiff competition from outstanding entrants in the National Enterprise Award for Rural Programme, the award was given to The Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley & Teesdale who demonstrated an excellent integrated approach and an unparalleled responsiveness to specific rural issues and needs.

Judges were impressed with the digital media element to the Agency’s activities, notably managing and maintaining online directories www.teesdale.co.uk and www.durhamdales.co.uk which promote 3,200 local firms and receive over 10,000 unique visitors per month. Also, highlighted was the key role that the Agency played setting up and running local community station Radio Teesdale www.radioteesdale.co.uk broadcasting both FM and online.

George Derbyshire, NFEA Chief Executive, said: “Rural agencies encounter particular challenges in both strategy and operations due to scattered communities and poor transport infrastructure. This award highlights an Agency which addresses the particular needs of its rural area, demonstrating innovative approaches to delivery.”

The winners were recognised at a dedicated ceremony at the Barclays sponsored NFEA Annual Conference during the gala dinner at The Royal York Hotel in York. Awards for Commercial Partnerships, Community Regeneration, Marketing, Rural Programme and Unsung Hero as well as a special NFEA Chairman’s Award and acknowledgement for a Corporate Partnership.

Developed by NFEA, and this year sponsored by ICONI Software, the National Enterprise Awards launched in 2007 to support and celebrate the achievements of the NFEA network of enterprise agencies. The awards recognise excellence in the delivery of enterprise support by encouraging the exchange of good practice and the development of improved services and organisations. Winners were chosen by an external judging panel, including Ann Carter Gray, Deputy Director from the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).