Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 now open for nominations
21st May 2010

Barclays Bank Plc has joined forces with 'The Sun' newspaper, and some of Britain's best known names - in a national search to find men and women who have beaten the odds to triumph in business - by opening nominations for the Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010. The bank is seeking individuals with an inspiring story to tell and whose grit and determination has turned tragedy into triumph. With over £50,000 worth of prizes, including £10,000 for the winner and £5,000 for the runner up plus support, advice and expert mentoring, the 'Trading Places' Awards have already helped hundreds of small businesses. This year, Barclays and 'The Sun' have come together to make a special Award of £3500 to a business that is helping local people by putting something back into the community. It is free to enter the awards and nominations close on Friday 16th July 2010.

Steve Cooper, Managing Director - Barclays Business, Barclays Bank PLC said "We want to learn about people who have triumphed over the odds to start a business. People who might have started working for themselves as a means of beating long-term unemployment or a life on benefits. Or perhaps after being made redundant, with no prospect of another job in sight. We also want to hear from people who were already running a business when they experienced an event that changed their life in an instant. For example, a serious illness or personal tragedy that could have had the power to ruin their business dreams." Like Fiona Wright and Bernice Fletcher.

Fiona, Bernice and Cath

Fiona Wright and Bernice Fletcher both developed breast cancer and underwent surgery. Afterwards, finding it hard to buy stylish lingerie, they teamed up with friend Cath Stone to launch Lingerie Illusions, selling a range of attractive, yet practical, underwear. The three partners, previous finalists in the Awards, found that the publicity they received helped their business to develop and raised their profile in their community, where they now offer advice and comfort to other women with breast cancer.

Joe Brown

Joe Brown, 21, was determined autism would not hold him back. A meeting with a local farmer got him thinking. And the result was Joe Brown’s Egg Round, with Joe offering a personal door-to-door service that provides fresh free-range eggs to grateful customers. Preston-based Joe used his Trading Places prize money to buy an electric delivery buggy – and says turnover has now shot up!

Brad Stewart

Bradley Stewart was in a car crash that left him paralysed and in a wheelchair. But Brad was determined to get on with his life and set up Blitz Discos. Brad now takes his successful mobile music business to special events all over central Scotland. “Your life changes dramatically when you have an accident like mine”, says the inspiring DJ, “but it doesn’t need to stop.”

Kevin and Nikki Sweet

Redundancy and long-term unemployment were something the Sweets knew all about – Kevin was made redundant three times in as many years. The family decided to break the cycle and head for the Welsh countryside. Today, Kevin and wife Nikki run their own successful cider-making business. And, since winning Trading Places, sales have doubled.

The Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 Judging Panel

Steve Cooper, Managing Director - Barclays Business, Barclays Bank PLC
Jane Fletcher, Director for Innovative Projects, Leonard Cheshire Disability
Helen Stevenson, Chief Marketing Officer, Yell
Laurie South, Chief Executive, PRIME
Bernie Morgan, Chief Executive, cdfa
Micky Walsh, Director of Client Services, Crisis
Lopa Patel, Founder, Redhotcurry.com
Steve Hawkes, Business Editor, The Sun
Sophie Beesley, Head of National Business Programme, The Prince’s Trust
George Derbyshire, Chief Executive, NFEA
Robert Epstein, Head of Small Medium Business, Microsoft UK

Nominations Rules

You can enter yourself or someone you know, but the person you nominate has to be resident in the UK and running a business that is trading and registered in the UK, Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Ireland. More details and all the terms and conditions can be found at www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces - alternatively, telephone the Awards Office on 020 8673 2020 during weekday business hours.

Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 dates

• Closing date – Friday 16 July
• Top 100 advised – August 2010
• National Finalists confirmed – October
• National Finalists interviewed in London – Tuesday 2 November
• The Barclays Trading Places Gala Dinner held at The Savoy Hotel, London – Tuesday 30 November 2010

Barclays Money Skills

Trading Places is part of Barclays Money Skills Community Investment programme in the UK helping to improve people's financial capability. Barclays Money Skills helps people to develop their confidence and ability to manage money, which includes budgeting, making informed financial choices and knowing where to get help.