NCB's Nation Builder Awards lauds hard work

THIRTEEN ORGANISATIONS and individuals from across the island have been nominated for the 2011 NCB's Nation Builder Awards, with one organisation nominated in two different categories.

The nominees represent a wide variety of businesses, such as the production and distribution, manufacturing, hospitality and technology industries. The award categories include Nation Builder, Innovation, Women in Business, Start-up and two new categories, Impact and Vision.

The Impact Award will be presented to a non-profit organisation and an individual who has undertaken a project or initiative that has positively impacted the lives of others over the past year. According to Bernadette Barrow, assistant general manager, NCB SME Unit, "The introduction of the Impact Award is a key part of the bank's focus on encouraging and supporting nation building and philanthropy at all levels." The winners of this category will receive cash donations through the NCB Foundation to support their respective initiatives.

In a bid to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit among Jamaica's youth, the new Vision Award was also introduced this year. NCB will provide seed capital of up to $250,000 to a final-year management studies student with the best business plan prepared as a part of their final-year programme. The Vision Award is made possible through a partnership between NCB and the University of the West Indies.

The Vision Award winner, together with the other winners in the various categories, will be announced at the NCB Nation Builders Awards presentation ceremony on Tuesday, October 25, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. NCB's special guest speaker at the event will be Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, a Jamaica-born millionaire farmer, whose brand of products is found in leading supermarkets in the United Kingston, under the label 'The Black Farmer'.

Through the NCB Nation Builder Awards, Emmanuel-Jones will have an opportunity to inspire and motivate the entrepreneurs at the awards gala.

Celebrating achievements

The NCB Nation Builder Awards, now in its fourth year, is an NCB initiative to celebrate the achievements of Jamaican small- and medium-size businesses.

"NCB has always supported Jamaica's entrepreneurs, large or small. We recognise that it is not easy to start and sustain a business when faced with related pressures and challenges," said Audrey Tugwell Henry, senior general manager, NCB Retail Banking. "Those businesses that maintain sound operational practices, a focus on community involvement and remain viable and profitable have earned the recognition that the NCB Nation Builder programme offers. For those that are still building and perfecting their framework, we encourage their continued effort and drive," she continued.