WITH the search for the county’s top companies now well under way, we look at the first of a series of profiles of the three categories open for entries in the Daily Echo-backed Hampshire Business Awards.

This week we shine the spotlight on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) newly-launched award category.

In place of the RBS International Trade Award, for the first time this year is the RBS Management Team of the Year Award, which recognises a group whose hard work, commitment and insight has had a major positive impact on a business.

Dan Salanson, head of corporate banking for RBS in the Solent region, said: “We are aware of the wealth of strong management teams in the region and we want to bring these to the fore and celebrate them at this year’s awards.

“It may be that a team has worked on a particular project or has been involved with the long-term management of a business.

“In each case, we would be looking for examples of leadership, drive, commitment and the ability to think and plan ahead.

“With tougher trading conditions prevailing, the presence of a high calibre strategic management team is essential.

“It is often in more challenging circumstances that the strength and adaptability of a management team comes to light.

“Factors such as market knowledge and creative ideas, coupled with a management team that has the full support and backing of staff throughout its organisation, become ever more crucial to assist a business and help drive it forward,” he added.

The RBS Management Team of the Year Award is just one of three categories open to businesses, with the KPMG Company of the Year Award and the Bond Pearce Award for Innovation also up for grabs.

To get involved or to find out more about the Hampshire Business Awards, log on to dailyecho.co.uk/ business or call Hazel Gibbs at KPMG on 023 8020 2051.