Cookstown based small business in the 'top ten'

Cookstown-based TES(NI)Ltd was one of the top ten finalists in a fierce competition for the prestigious title UK Small Business of the Year In Parcelforce's annual awards on 22nd October 2003.

Brian Taylor and Noel McCracken, Directors of TES(NI) Ltd, which was recently named 'Northern Ireland Small Business of the Year', met the competition and the judging panel for the first time at a black-tie awards ceremony at the London Studios, hosted by the Minister of Small Businesses Nigel Griffiths and Broadcaster Michael Buerk.

Although pipped at the post for the title of 'UK Small Business of the Year 2003' by Croft Engineering based in Warrington, Noel McCracken said: "Being Northern Ireland Small Business of the year and one of the top ten in the UK finals has given everyone at TES(NI)Ltd a huge boost. I have witnessed TES(NI)Ltd develop into a thriving enterprise, and to have been chosen by professionals as a candidate for this award was tremendously gratifying".

As regional 'Small Business of the year' in the Parcelforce Worldwide Awards scheme, TES(NI)Ltd picked up prizes worth £6,000.

Professor Ted Fuller, from the University of Teeside Business School, and Chair of the judging process, said: "TES(NI)Ltd is an excellent example of a well managed small business with a great future. The judging panel had a difficult job finding one overall winner and TES(NI)Ltd should feel justifiably proud of what their business has acheived. After all, some 4,500 small business across the UK entered the awards scheme and TES(NI)Ltd has shown that it is one of the best."

Vanessa Leeson, Managing Director of Parcelforce Worldwide said: "Businesses like TES(NI)Ltd are the backbone of the UK and we believe these awards are an excellent way to recognise the contribution small businesses make to the economy, an incredible 38% of UK gross domestic product."

(SP)