BUSINESS award winner Tony Harris has appealed to the unsung heroes of Oxfordshire commerce to put themselves in the spotlight.

Mr Harris, technical director of the overall 1997 Oxfordshire Business of the Year Award winner Software 2000, said before the company won the award, few people had heard of them.

He said: "We are essentially a backroom company, but I found the awards an ideal way to increase our visibility in the area."

Speaking at the launch of the 1998 awards, he said raising the profile of the company, based at the Oxford Science Park, was important as few people knew much about the firm's products - drivers that translate information from computer screens to printers.

He said: "Visibility is important for recruiting, staff confidence and promoting confidence in suppliers.

"I would urge others to enter. It really has been most helpful and we will be trying again this year."

The awards scheme to recognise the county's business success stories has received a unanimous thumbs-up from previous winners, who praised the competition for delivering credibility, confidence, coverage, prestige and a boost to morale.

John Whitney, managing director of software company Vector Fields of Kidlington, joint winner of the 1997 export category with Bicester-based Reynard Racing Cars, said: "I would definitely recommend others to enter. "We have benefited twice over - inside the company where morale has been boosted and outside where overseas customers have been impressed to read of our success in our newsletter." The winners of the customer care category were KCI Medical of Witney. Lucy Walden, personal assistant to managing director Nick Cotter, said: "It was a great motivator for staff and gives customers confidence." Other winners last year were Linnells solicitors of Oxford, which won the developing people category; Midas Heating Services of Abingdon, which was voted top small company and the Thames Transit bus company, which won the community involvement category. Organisers of the 1998 awards are expecting a record-breaking entry. Stephen Dexter, managing partner of business advisers Grant Thornton and chairman of Business Link Heart of England, said: "I hope this year will see even more successful Oxfordshire companies entering the awards." The awards, which are being run for the fourth year, are now firmly established as the premier accolade recognising excellence in the county, with interest growing every year. Last year a total of 228 businesses were nominated and 98 made full entries. This year a new sponsor, Cowley-based DHL International (UK), has joined the list of firms sponsoring this year's awards. Organisers are again keen to hear not only from businesses, but want nominations from suppliers and customers. The categories range from export, customer care and community involvement to developing people and small business. The awards will be handed to the prizewinners by a celebrity guest of honour at a glittering awards dinner at the Randolph Hotel, Oxford, in early June.

Sponsors of this year's awards include Lloyds Bank and the Heart of England TEC who are sponsoring the small business category; Rover and Dale Carnegie, developing people; DHL International (UK) and Business Link Heart of England, export; Unipart and Grant Thornton, customer care; Oxford & County Newspapers and FOX FM, community involvement.

Anyone interested in entering or nominating someone for this year's awards should contact Sue McKellar at the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council on 01235 553249.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.