Heritage Foundation’s 10 Years Support to Awards

The only major sponsor to have ‘stayed the course’ from the beginning of these Business Awards – now in their 10th year – is delighted once again to support what is widely considered to be the number one event in the local business calendar.

Since the inception of the awards in 1997, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation has sponsored the New Business Award and believes that winning this category offers a great window of opportunity for fledgling businesses to make their mark in the business world.

Generally, this category attracts more entries than any other and Stuart Kenny, Director General of the Heritage Foundation, says this is “very gratifying.”

Mr Kenny was himself the winner of the ‘Business Person of the Year’ at the inaugural awards in 1997 and two years ago scooped the coveted ‘Individual Achievement Award’ in front of over 500 people.

Additionally, Mr Kenny has been asked to take the microphone to give a brief message at this year’s awards ceremony, on behalf of all the sponsors and previous winners over the last 10 years.

Regarding sponsoring the New Business Award again, Mr Kenny states: “There is no shortage of highly successful businesses in the Garden City, both new and established, and it can only be encouraging for them when their efforts are recognised through winning a prestigious Hertfordshire Business Award.”

In fact, over the years, the world’s first Garden City has had more than its share of winners. In 2004, no fewer than five of the 11 award categories went to Letchworth Garden City people or companies.

• Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation is an Industrial & Provident Society with charitable status and has an asset base in excess of £140m.
• The Heritage Foundation owns and manages a 5,300-acre property estate, comprising of offices, factories, shops, houses, community amenities and farms. It is currently planning a £60m regeneration of the town centre, spearheaded by Mr Kenny.
• The Foundation delivers its profits back to the town – the world’s first Garden City – and since 1995, has ploughed more than £15.5 million into the community through grants and amenities – equating to over £4,000 per day.
• The Heritage Foundation is town founder Ebenezer Howard’s company in modern times and the extensive added value it brings to the town does not cost residents or businesses a penny!
• Foundation owned enterprises include; Ernest Gardiner Day Hospital; First Garden City Heritage Museum, Standalone Farm, the Minibus Service, Broadway Cinema, the Tourist Information Centre and the Plinston.