News Release

16 June 2006

BUSINESS MENTOR WINS REGIONAL ARTS & BUSINESS AWARD

James Garrett, Business Manager for Beam Global Distribution UK Limited has won The Three Choirs Vineyard Individual of the Year Award at The Arts & Business South East Awards 2006. The Awards held at the art deco, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, are to celebrate the best corporate and cultural relationships in the South East region.

The Three Choirs Vineyard Individual of the Year Award is presented to a business volunteer in recognition of outstanding individual achievement to positively benefit the arts. James was placed as a Mentor with Mairead Turner at South East Dance by Arts & Business South East. The partnership between them has proved successful and rewarding for both - due in part to the strong rapport and environment of trust established early on. Mairead's capacity to review and critique her own and her organisation's performance, and her desire to improve, has paired well with James' core coaching skills of listening, questioning and support.

Mairead Turner, Chief Executive of South East Dance says: “James mentoring has been invaluable, his input has helped us to examine, critique and improve our working practices and provided us with access to invaluable skills and information. His questioning and supportive approach has helped us to benchmark ourselves as an organisation, which will result in a huge improvement to our working methods in the future.”

250 people witnessed James and his fellow winners, Gunwharf Quays, Siemens plc, Penningtons Solicitors, Silicon Valley and Oxford Bus Company, take Awards away. From the arts, Chichester Festival Theatre was awarded Special Recognition for their innovation in working with business.

Jane Chambers, Regional Director, Arts & Business South East said: “My congratulations go to all the winners of The Arts & Business Awards 2006. In our 30th year nationally and 10th year in the South East, it is inspiring to see business and the arts working together for mutual benefit in so many innovative ways. The quality of not only the winners but all those short-listed has been so impressive that I hope that it inspires others to get involved.”

- Ends –

The Winners

The Southern Business Times Sustainability Award

Penningtons Solicitors and The Watermill Theatre

The SEEDA Arts & Business Community Award

Gunwharf Quays with Aspex Gallery

The Arts & Business Employees Award

Siemens plc and Public Works

The Three Choirs Vineyard Individual of the Year Award

James Garrett, Beam Global Distribution UK Limited & South East Dance

The Noa Noa (Brighton) First Time Sponsor Award

Silicon Valley and Watts Gallery

The RPM Print & Design Brand Identity Award

Oxford Bus Company and Artpoint

The Beam Global (UK) Special Recognition Award

Chichester Festival Theatre

The AMA Creative Champion of the Year Award

Gunwharf Quays

Notes to Editors

• Images and more information on all winners are available on request
• A&B spokespeople are available for interview
• Arts & Business aspires to be the world’s most successful & widespread creative network. We help business people support the arts & the arts inspire business people, because good business & great art create a richer society.
• Arts & Business believes that the arts offer a unique, creative and proven means for businesses to achieve their individual, corporate and community goals.

Contact

Jeff Gould

023 8061 9172

07977 098 852

jeff.gould@AandB.org.uk