THE joy of six marks the launch of this year’s Liverpool ECHO Enterprise Champions competition. Since the start of our annual drive in 2002 to honour the region’s most exciting fledgling and established firms the competition, now in its sixth year, has recognised the city’s business world stalwarts and helped unearth the latest cream of the crop. This year the competition has been extended from six to seven categories to reflect the growth of Liverpool’s entrepreneurial spirit. From sole trader status to the most ethically-minded businesses, the Enterprise Champions awards are the perfect platform for Merseyside firms to celebrate their achievements. And the overall accolade of Enterprise Champion recognises the business or individual that has excelled and shown the greatest promise in their own right, or from the wide range of entries across the full range of categories. Last year’s June final in the Albert Dock’s Pan Am bar and restaurant saw city hair salons boss Robbie Webb clinch the main award of the night, which included a sparkling presentation by the star of BBC TV’s Apprentice series Ruth Badger. Robbie, who set up the Voodou Salons chain, had earlier that month been named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Global Salon Awards in Barcelona. But he admitted on the night of the Liverpool awards that the ECHO prize was that much sweeter: "We have just won a global award in Barcelona which involved 22 countries, but it means so much more to win this here in Liverpool." Robbie said today: "Since winning the ECHO Enterprise Champions Award the company has gained such a significant amount of positive press throughout the UK and with local press. "The award came at a pivotal time in 2006 as we had already been named as Global Award winners in Barcelona at a prestigious industry ceremony." He added: "The Voodou brand is one of Liverpool's fastest growing and respected companies. Winning the Liverpool ECHO Enterprise Champions Award has positioned the company favourably with our growing client base both in the corporate and retail sector." ECHO editor Alastair Machray urged readers and companies to use the competition and the publicity it can generate to chart their next steps towards growth and add to the city’s vibrant economy: "A new and exciting city needs new and exciting businesses. If our economy is to ride the crest of the wave that is Capital of Culture we need people to be bold, ambitious and creative." The Enterprise Champions categories in full >>> | 
