Small Business Minister, Nigel Griffiths has honoured the UK's top community and social enterprises at the finals of the Enterprising Solutions Awards in London. The awards celebrate the success, innovation, and unique nature of businesses that display both entrepreneurial flair and a commitment to social change.

Clinching the top prize of £10,000, Cardiff-based Pack-IT Product Promotions became the fifth company to win the awards since they began in 1999. This year's awards are supported by the DTI, Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest in association with Social Enterprise Magazine and The Observer.

Pack-IT, who faced strong competition from four other finalists from around the UK, provides training opportunities and permanent paid employment for people with learning and physical disabilities. Pack-IT's employees, both able and those with disabilities, are all key players in the business's success story. The company reaps benefits from having a committed, long-serving workforce and continues to win contracts as a commercially viable business. Pack-IT has grown from its early beginnings into a three pronged business supplying mailing, storage and distribution, and on-line services.

Announcing the winner, Nigel Griffiths said:

"The social enterprise sector is going from strength to strength. These awards are a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate that profit and social objectives can make a winning combination."

"The firms here tonight are changing the way we deliver business solutions to social problems. This year's winners have been a catalyst for change, breathing new life and opportunity into their communities and serving as an example to others."

Mr Griffiths also launched A Progress Report on Social Enterprise: a strategy for success. The report, which is available at: www.dti.gov.uk/socialenterprise sets out how, a year on, the Government is delivering on its social enterprise strategy. Through this strategy, Government aims to provide a more enabling environment for social enterprises, help make them better businesses, and deliver a greater understanding of their value.
Notes to Editors

1. For further information on the Social Enterprise Visit Programme, go to www.socialenterprisevisits.com or call 0870 458 4147.

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