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Aberdeen company named Scottish Innovation Through Technology and Business Of The Year winner

Aberdeen, UKLearning NewsAtlas

Atlas in the running for two top UK business awards

John Rowley (Atlas CEO, Left) accepts awards
John Rowley (Atlas CEO, Left) accepts awards 

An innovative Aberdeen business will line up alongside some of the UK’s most successful companies as it competes for two top awards.

Atlas, which is based at the Science & Energy Park in Claymore Drive, Bridge of Don, has won Scotland’s Innovation through Technology Award, sponsored by Dell, and Business of the Year, sponsored by Westfield Health.

The e-learning business is now a finalist in its category for the UK title in the Chamber Awards hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce, which were created to celebrate the UK’s most successful businesses.

Bob Collier, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: “Our congratulations go to Atlas for this double achievement. They were considered against companies from all over Scotland in what was a very tough competition so they have already achieved great success in being named Scottish winner in their categories. The company is an excellent example of the calibre of home-grown businesses from North-east Scotland. They now go on to represent us at the national finals next week and are excellent ambassadors for the region.”

John Rowley, Atlas’ chief executive officer, said: “From a region with a global reputation for fostering world-class innovation and technology companies we are delighted to be shortlisted as the Scottish regional winner for these national awards. Not only is it testament to the support we have received from our customers over the past 12 months as we embarked on a major growth strategy, being shortlisted as a finalist also stands as a credit to the passion for knowledge which drives our people and the culture of innovation that exists within our company.”

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The health of the UK’s economy relies upon the confidence of our businesses to grow, invest and create jobs. That’s why the British Chambers of Commerce has been working hard to ensure government makes good on its promises to encourage enterprise, and do everything in its power to help businesses grow.

“All the good things we want to see in society depend on business and wealth creation. These awards provide a snapshot of some of the most impressive companies from across the country. Many of these business owners are working day in day out to build upon the companies they have built from scratch, creating jobs in local communities, and contributing to the economic recovery we so desperately need. We’re delighted to be able to celebrate the success of these companies through the Chamber Awards.”

Atlas provides innovative and interactive e-learning for the global oil and gas industries, working with around 350,000 people a year, across 35 countries, and using 20 different languages. Its content library extends to over 1,000 hours of learning, covering a wide range of subjects such as the environment and HSE courses.

The company recognises that in order to be at the forefront of the market it needs to continue to innovate and invest in new technology. Its flexible partnership approach helped it become the only EU business to be awarded a share of a major training contract with the US oil company, Exxonmobil.

Having won two awards in Scotland, the company is now in the running for the UK title in both categories, as well as the chance to collect the Award for Outstanding Business Achievement – with a top prize of £25,000 and runner up prizes of £15,000 and £10,000.

There are nine categories, backed by high profile sponsors including RBS and NatWest, BT Business, BT Directories, Dell, DHL Express, BSI, AXA PPP healthcare and Westfield Health. The national winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on November 24th 2011.

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