THERE are now just two weeks left to enter THE ONE competition for 2012, which offers a prize package of business support worth more than �40,000 for one of East Anglia’s top entrepreneurial businesses.

THE ONE, now in its third year, is open to start-up businesses from Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk, with the winner to be chosen on the basis of a competitive pitch to a panel of judges.

The competition, originally the brainchild of Nichola Cain, managing director of Voice Communications is again being run through the East Anglian Daily Times in conjunction with a number of other successful businesses in the region.

The winner of THE ONE competition this year will win a prize package consisting of:

: : PR consultancy and implementation from Voice Communications to the value of �5,000;

: : Advertising in the EADT to the value of �5,000;

: : Business consultancy from Angela Kimberley to the value of �3,500;

: : On-line marketing from Climbing Trees to the value of �5,000;

: : Legal support from Ellisons Solicitors to the value of �3,500;

: : Accountancy advice and annual returns from LB Group to the value of �3,000;

: : Leadership and management coaching from Julie Clements (24 hours of one-to-one coaching) to the value of �3,500;

: : Call answering services from MyRuby to the value of �1,500;

: : Design consultancy from Phelan Barker to the value of �5,000; and

: : Website consultancy from Rubious to the value of �5,000.

All of the business support and services are to be used over the following 12 months. In addition, the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex chambers of commerce have agreed to provide a year’s membership for the winner.

The judging process is being hosted by the 16th Century Layer Marney Tower, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in the UK situated in the heart of the Essex countryside near Colchester. Surrounded by established gardens with views over the Blackwater Estuary, the house was built in 1520 as a large country residence for its aristocratic Tudor owners.

Today, Layer Marney Tower is a popular wedding venue, providing a stunning, historic background to any big day. The tower provides a unique location for conferences and is also popular with visitors when it is open to the public during certain periods of the year.

To be in with a chance to be THE ONE in 2012, simply download the entry questionnaire at www.onecompetition.co.uk and return it by Friday, October 26. In addition to the qualifying questions, entrants will be required to provide a description of their business, product or idea, an outline of their ambitions and key achievements and to explain what they hope to achieve from winning the prize.

If you are shortlisted by the judging panel, you will be invited to present to the judges on Tuesday, November 13 at Layer Marney Tower. You will be required to present your pitch for 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes for questioning.

For further information, or in the event of any difficulty with your submission, please email Donata Rio on donata@voicecommunications.co.uk or call 01376 460 060.

The panel of judges for THE ONE 2012 is:

: : Nichola Cain

Nichola Cain is the founder and managing director of Voice Communications. After working for some of the UK’s largest PR firms for nearly a decade, Nichola established Voice Communications in 2006 to offer businesses a new breed of dynamic PR.

She has more 15 years-worth of PR experience, working with some of the UK biggest brands including Marks & Spencer, The Carphone Warehouse, Volvic, Tropicana, RBS, Copella and Quaker.

Nichola is a brand strategist and her broad knowledge ensures she delivers excellent strategies and tactical solutions for clients with a focus on return on investment.

As a business owner herself, Nichola is able to provide business support to her clients which include �19million family-run food manufacturers Opies, and Wincanton Records Management, the fastest growing records management company in the UK.

www.voicecommunications.co.uk

: : Stuart Sheldrick

After previous experience in both large and small accountancy practices, Stuart Sheldrick joined LB Group in 2003. At the age of 28, Stuart became one of the youngest ever directors of LB Group and is now the most senior partner in the Chelmsford office.

As a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor, Stuart is a specialist in both accounts and tax. His specialist expertise in advising small, fledgling companies coupled with his enthusiasm and creative thinking for new ventures results in a thorough value added service at all times.

Stuart has a broad knowledge on a wide range of industries and sectors and is also a mentor at Anglia Ruskin University.

www.lbgroupltd.com

: : Seamus Clifford

After completing his studies for a LLB (Hons) degree in Law and Politics from Cardiff University and gaining a commendation in the Legal Practice Course from Cardiff Law School, Seamus Clifford joined Ellisons as a trainee solicitor in 1996.

Two years later, Seamus qualified into the Corporate and Commercial team and in 2000 he joined the corporate finance team at Berwin Leighton Paisner, where he worked within the highly regarded hotel, leisure and restructuring teams. In 2006 Seamus returned to Ellisons as partner and head of the corporate and commercial practice.

Seamus specialises in a range of corporate and commercial services, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and corporate finance.

www.ellisonssolicitors.com

: : Julie Clements

In 2005, having left her successful London-based career in management and training, Julie Clements realised her dream of setting up her own personal development coaching & training company.

In the seven years since, she has established herself as one of the UK’s leading life coaches and personal development professionals.

Julie offers services such as life, business and leadership coaching, and she is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis, Time Line Therapy and Archetypal Branding (personal and corporate).

Julie works with businesses and clients to ensure that they realise their full potential and are able to develop their professional and personal talents. Her unique approach to personal development ensures her clients are empowered and equipped for success at all times.

: : Alex Holliman

Alex Holliman founded Climbing Trees in 2010 to help businesses maximise their online presence and enhance their brand. A specialist in online marketing, with nearly 20 years industry experience, Alex has the skills and expertise to ensure that his clients make the most of the internet, and drive desired traffic to their website.

Before establishing Climbing Trees, Alex worked within the advertising industry and has experience of working with brands such as Waitrose, Lloyds TSB, London Zoo and Amnesty International, amongst others.

Alex has a broad knowledge and expertise in search engine optimisation (SEO), pay per click (PPC), social media and affiliate marketing as well as advertising and blogging.

www.ctom.co.uk

: : Natalie Perillo

Natalie Perillo is the founder of MyRuby, an outsourced telephone reception service based in Colchester. Since 2007, MyRuby has been providing clients all over the UK with the services of a great receptionist without actually being in their office.

Having gained a first class honours degree in Business Studies from the University of Westminster, Natalie’s early career centred on sales and marketing. In 1996, Natalie co-founded her first business, Direct Marketing agency Made With Love and worked on a number of key accounts including Lever Faberge, Philips, and Unilever Bestfoods.

In early 2004 Natalie moved into the Telecoms sector when, along with fellow Directors, she acquired a struggling Call Centre from the French Advertising giant Havas.

www.myruby.co.uk

: : James Phelan

After graduating from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, with a first class honours, James Phelan moved to Helsinki where he attended the University of Industrial Arts on a State Scholarship.

It was during his time in Helsinki that James was awarded the Rector’s Award for his contribution to design leadership. James then moved to London where he gained valuable experience working with Atelier Works, Black Sun, Radley Yeldar and as design director at Williams & Phoa.

After the birth of his son Ruairi in 1997, James moved away from London with his partner Lissa to build their own home in the Essex countryside. Whilst working on the house, James took the position of design director at Silk Pearce, based in Colchester, before establishing Phelan Barker in 2002.

Phelan Barker has built a strong reputation for design led solutions, completing projects for international as well as national clients including Royal Mail, BBC, Layer Marney Tower, DC Electronics and Beauty Without Cruelty.

www.phelanbarker.com

: : Greg Goodson

Greg Goodson is a founding member of Rubious, a creative web agency based in Suffolk.

After attending art college, Greg chose to specialise in Graphic design before beginning his career in a small design team at a local printers. This experience at his first job solidified his intent in developing a career in the field and expanded his knowledge of the world of design and print.

In 2007 Greg’s employers branched out into web design, which proved to be the perfect opportunity to develop his design skills further. In 2009 Greg was made redundant and decided that it would be the perfect time to set up his own company. Along with colleague Shaun Robinson, Greg co-founded Rubious to specialise in creating truly bespoke, innovative websites.

As creative cirector, Greg oversees all design aspects of Rubious’ work and ensures that all projects undertaken by the company are completed to the highest standards and fulfil all the client’s needs.

www.rubious.co.uk

: : Angela Kimberley

Angela Kimberley is managing director of Angela Kimberley Ltd, a specialist organisation which offers business coaching, consultancy, advice and project management support for government funded initiatives and projects.

With more than 30 years in the industry, Angela has experience in working across a wide range of sectors and government bodies. Angela is an approved Growth Coach for Growth Accelerator helping ambitious businesses achieve rapid and sustainable growth. Angela also holds several contracts including KPMG, LSIS, ACER, and Ixion Holdings.

Angela Kimberley Ltd has gained national and regional recognition for its services of business and enterprise advice, coaching, project management, and training. In 2010, Angela was named Southend Business Woman of the Year, before being awarded the Essex County Business to Business Winner title the following year.

www.angelakimberley.co.uk

: : Duncan Brodie

Duncan Brodie is the business editor on the East Anglian Daily Times. He was born in Bury St Edmunds and attended Reading University where he graduated in 1981 with a BA (hons) degree in history.

The following year Duncan joined the EADT as a trainee reporter and in 1984 passed the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ final exams, gaining the highest mark in the country.

Besides working as a general reporter for the EADT in Woodbridge and Bury St Edmunds, he also acted on an interim basis as the title’s Crown Court and county council correspondent in Essex.

Duncan first joined the EADT’s business and agriculture desk in 1985 where he remained until 1988 when he was appointed news editor for the Essex edition, based in Colchester.

In 1994 he moved back to the business desk in Ipswich, taking over as business editor later that year. In 1996 he also took on overall responsibility for the EADT’s agricultural coverage.

www.eadt.co.uk