SOHAM S telemarketing company, Blue Donkey, has been recognised for its all-round business excellence. The firm has won the Newmarket Business Association s Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Barclays Bank. The winner was announced at the NBA

SOHAM'S telemarketing company, Blue Donkey, has been recognised for its all-round business excellence. The firm has won the Newmarket Business Association's Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Barclays Bank. The winner was announced at the NBA's awards and presentation dinner on Friday at the Rowley Mile's Racecourse's Millennium Suite.

Master of ceremonies, Colin McLean, said of Blue Donkey: "The winner in this category is a large business with a local community focus and a strong commitment to staff development and training. They are very clear about their current positioning and where they are heading. Market leaders in their field, they are fast becoming a household name in East Anglia."

The judges considered the business model itself, business objectives and the various elements that combined make business excellence, including what differentiates the Soham-based company from its competitors and what has made the difference between success and

failure for the business.

This latest accolade finishes off a bumper year for the company despite decline in the sector felt elsewhere. The major boost for 2006 was significant export to Europe and North America, accounting for more than 30 per cent of total sales.

"2007 will bring with it exciting opportunities to take new formulae into Blue Donkey's 10th year with an even more ambitious plan to create more jobs," said Blue Donkey's managing director, Sureya Landini.

"Winning this award means a lot as it stands for a tremendous team effort this past year by all our staff in search of excellence across all aspects of the business. It is recognition for a year's hard work and at a time when we have successfully negotiated accreditation for Investors in People.

"It is the culmination of a huge investment made in scrutinising the operation to raise standards wherever possible. This award is for all the staff"

n Blue Donkey was established nine years ago in Wilburton. The company has grown steadily and, having outgrown the Wilburton offices, moved to more fitting, spacious premises in Soham in 2003.

The company is a multi-award-winning business, having won numerous trophies in recent years. This includes an Employee Development Award, sponsored by the Learning Skills Council and an Enterprise Award, from the Institute of Directors-sponsored, East of England Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Blue Donkey boasts an impressive client portfolio, including Godfrey Davis, Guardian Media group and the Bank of Scotland.

INFO: Contact Kez Ahmet (email: kahmet@bluedonkey.co.uk),

Tel: 08450 66111 or visit Blue Donkey's website: www.bluedonkey.co.uk