ICM CEO Professor Thomas pictured with the ICM/National Business Awards book, “Defining Business Success”.

Chief Executive of The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), Professor Tom Thomas, recently chaired the judging process for the National Business Awards South of England finalists for “Business of the Year”, sponsored by Grant Thornton.

The judging panel met at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, and consisted of another four experts in their field: Christine Corner, Partner at Grant Thornton;  Sally Atkinson, Managing Director of Atkinson Executive Development Ltd.; Colin Mills, Founder and CEO of FD Centre and Philippe Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality.

Gathered together to examine the 10 short-listed companies, the panel considered each one based on a range of criteria, and then unanimously came to a decision on the winning entry.

The finalists hailed from a variety of industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, financial services, information technology, consultancy, transport, marketing and property development, and all demonstrated a high-standard of corporate growth and development.

The regional winners will be announced on 14 July 2009 at a prestigious event at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, and will then proceed to the UK National Business Awards, to be judged later in the year and presented in November.

Having been involved in the National Business Awards for a number of years, Professor Thomas feels passionately about his role in such a prestigious event, evidenced by the ICM book published in conjunction with the National Business Awards and Southampton Business School last year, “Defining Business Success – Selected Case Studies from The National Business Awards 2007”.

Professor Thomas commented: “The quality of finalists was extremely high.  All the companies showed strong growth and a commitment to their staff as well as an ethical approach to business. I hope to be involved in the judging process at the National level and we are sure to see some excellent companies competing for these prestigious awards.

“ICM is pleased to be associated with these awards and is working towards improving the standards of business education across the world.”