Truly Inspiring!
Chief Executive at North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Babs Murphy, describes her excitement for this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards
For the last 41 years, Babs Murphy has been a crucial part of the Chamber of Commerce. Hailing from the North-East but having resided in Lancashire for more than 40 years, she is now an adopted Lancastrian. Here, she reflects on the latest award preparations ahead of the glamorous Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs) ceremony to be held in September: “I am incredibly excited to share with you all the amazing journey we have been on leading up to the BIBAs.
“As the event draws closer, I can’t help but reflect on the hard work, dedication, and passion that has gone into making this year’s awards the best yet.
“First and foremost, I am thrilled to announce that we received a record number of applications for the BIBAs this year. It was truly inspiring to see so many businesses in Lancashire putting themselves forward to be recognised for their hard work and dedication. It was a testament to the thriving business community that we have here in Lancashire and it made the task of choosing our finalists incredibly difficult.
“With more than 120 judges sitting on the 20 category panels, the process of narrowing down the applicants was no easy feat. Each judge brought their own expertise and knowledge to the table, ensuring that every business was given a fair and thorough evaluation. After much deliberation, we were able to dwindle the numbers down to just eight businesses for each category. It was a tough decision, but we are confident that we have chosen the best of the best to represent Lancashire at the BIBAs.
“One of the highlights of the BIBAs process has been the BIBAs on Tour. In the final leg of the journey, we travelled the length and breadth of Lancashire visiting businesses who had made it through to the final round. It was an incredible experience to see firsthand the passion and dedication that these businesses put into their work every day. From small startups to long-standing local institutions, the variety of businesses we visited was truly inspiring.
“As we visited each business, it became clear that the passion for what they do was what set them apart. From innovative startups to established industry leaders, each business had a unique story to tell and a dedication to excellence that was truly inspiring. It was an honour to meet the faces behind these incredible businesses and to see their hard work and dedication.
“Now, as we prepare for the BIBAs ceremony, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. The night promises to be a celebration of the best of Lancashire business, with awards being presented in categories ranging from Small Business of the Year to Family Business of the Year. The evening will be a chance to honour and recognise the incredible businesses that make our community unique and thriving.
“I am proud to be a part of the BIBAs and to have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible passion and dedication that drives the businesses of Lancashire. As we prepare to announce the winners at the ceremony, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing journey. The BIBAs are not just an awards ceremony, they are a celebration of the hard work, perseverance and dedication that goes into running a successful business.
“I’m so looking forward to seeing who will come out on top at the BIBAs – the competition is fierce, but I know that each and every business that has made it this far is a deserving winner in their own right. I am excited to celebrate with them and to honour the incredible work they do.
“So, mark your calendars and join us at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the Be Inspired Business Awards. It promises to be a night of celebration, inspiration and above all, recognition for the incredible businesses that make Lancashire such a vibrant and thriving community. I can’t wait to see you there!”
The BIBAs are taking place at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Friday 20th September.
Main image: Babs Murphy, Brendan Cole, Chamber President Jane Cole, Lancastrian of the Year David Taylor CBE DL, Tim Webber MBE
