loud computing and managed hosting company in running for best UK small to medium sized business 

iomart Group plc (AIM:IOM), the leading managed hosting and cloud computing services company, has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s most prestigious business awards.

The company is a finalist for the National Business Awards 2011 in partnership with Orange. iomart has been shortlisted in the Santander Small to Medium sized Business of the Year category.

Stephen Dury, Santander Corporate Banking’s Director of Strategy and Market Development, and member of the shortlist panel, said: “iomart is operating in a highly competitive market and has shown the leadership courage required to grow by proving to be capable of expansion through organic business development and acquisition. A great achievement from a dedicated team at iomart.”

iomart was recently named Scottish Digital IT Company of the Year 2011 and is ranked as one of the top 25 cloud services providers in the world by Talkin’ Cloud 50 and as one of the top 10 managed hosting providers by MSPmentor 100.

Angus MacSween, CEO of iomart Group plc, said: “We are delighted that iomart’s commitment to sustainable growth and innovation is being recognised on the UK stage. We’ve worked hard to position the company as a leading provider in the competitive market for cloud services and being shortlisted for the National Business Awards alongside some of the most famous names in British business demonstrates that we’re making real headway.”

Announcing the finalists, Steve Pateman, Head of Santander Corporate, Commercial and Business Banking said: “Small and medium sized businesses are the drivers of the UK economy, and the National Business Awards are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the innovation, flexibility and hard work of these companies. I would like to wish all the finalists every success both in these awards and for their future business ventures.”

Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone, Chair of Judges, the National Business Awards, said: “The economic climate continues to present UK businesses with an unprecedented challenge: it is therefore particularly encouraging that the entries in this year’s National Business Awards have shown no drop in quality or performance. Congratulations to all finalists for demonstrating tremendous strength in their ability to adapt and innovate which no doubt reflects the resilience and optimism that are the hallmarks of UK enterprise.”

Organised by UBM plc, winners will be honoured at the National Business Awards gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, Tuesday 8th November, where George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will deliver this year’s welcome address.

Martin Stiven, Vice President of Business at Orange, part of Everything Everywhere, said:
“Reaching the finals of the National Business Awards is no mean feat and I am delighted that the calibre of entrants keeps on improving. All finalists have demonstrated exceptional drive, resilience and innovation during challenging economic conditions. Many congratulations to all finalists and best of luck with the next stage of the competition, I very much look forward to the live judging in September and October.”

Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all 2011 finalists.