The Plymouth University Vice-Chancellor’s Enterprise Awards have named Azook Community Interest Company 'Innovative Business of the Year 2012'.
One of over 250 companies nominated for the awards, the Azook team are delighted to have been recognised for their work.
Director Claire White said, "When we started we knew that we
had to create sustainable products rather than simply engaging projects. It is really rewarding to see communities benefiting from the products and services that we provide." She also paid tribute to the work of the unpaid volunteers and board members who have enabled Azook to carry out a wide range of community activities.
Bernard Curren, manager of the university's innovation centres, said: "Azook is an example of what can be achieved when people are
driven to make an idea succeed, it has been a privilege to work with
Claire and the team through the difficulties of developing a viable commercial model which is now achieving real success. They were our first ever social enterprise client, and are truly
inspirational in the way they have taken what was a public sector
project and turned it into a commercial entity focused on their social
ambitions making a tangible change in communities."
The University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Purcell, said:
"These awards are always very special, even more so this year as we
celebrate our 150th anniversary as a higher education provider in the
city."
The Azook team are looking forward to building on their success and will continue to find new and innovative ways to connect communities with their cultural heritage.
To find out more about the awards visit www1.plymouth.ac.uk/vcawards
