Two local companies from Powys are in the running to be named one of the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted in the 2020/21 final of the Amazon-backed Rural Business Awards.
PM Training and Assessing Ltd from Brecon has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Innovation category and Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd from Builth Wells has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project category in the 2020/21 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon.
The Rural Business Awards 2020/21 will mark the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy. The final takes place in February 2021. The awards are organised by rural businesses for rural businesses to celebrate their achievements and develop a strong network for rural business owners.
PM Training and Assessing Ltd was set up in 2005 by Paul and Pam Martin to provide assessor training to those in railway signalling.
Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise. The company provides community transport services, linking with existing bus and rail route wherever possible, endeavouring to increase social inclusion and improve quality of life in the rural area.
Speaking after being shortlisted for an award, Laura Burns from Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd said: “We’re over the moon at the news that we’ve been shortlisted for a Rural Business Award. Receiving recognition like this from Amazon and the Rural Business Awards is a welcomed boost during a difficult year. Last year we were the National Runners-up in our category, having been the Winner for the Wales and Northern Ireland Region, and we’re hoping we have shown the judges even more about what we do this year. ”
“This year has been challenging for many rural businesses and it’s more important than ever to show our support for them,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “The Rural Business Awards are a great opportunity to highlight the outstanding contribution of rural businesses to the UK’s economy. I would like to congratulate PM Training and Assessing Ltd, Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd and all the nominees on being shortlisted and wish them luck ahead of the national final. Thousands of small businesses from rural areas selling on Amazon now export to customers around the world, and to date small businesses on Amazon have created over 85,000 jobs.”
The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain. Anna Price said: “We’re proud of the rural sector and all that it’s achieved during this tumultuous year and we’re grateful to be able to highlight its amazing talent. We’d like to commend PM Training and Assessing Ltd and Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd for this great achievement, and we wish them and the rest of the shortlisted businesses all the best for the final.”
This year, businesses had 13 categories they could enter, ranging from Best Rural Start-Up Business and Best Rural Diversification Project, through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and The Triumph Over Adversity Award.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, this year the awards will be entirely judged and run online. The finalists will skip the regional finals and compete against fellow rural businesses and entrepreneurs from across the UK at the National Final Awards Ceremony on Thursday 25th February 2021.
Winners will be decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies and rural charitable organisations and announced at the National Final Awards Ceremony on Thursday 25th February 2021.
