Sponsored nationally by Royal Bank of Scotland Group, the Awards recognised and rewarded innovation in the application of information and communication technologies to improve the business performance of small and medium sized businesses in the UK.

UK businesses are making more sophisticated use of ICT than ever before - a fact to which the e-Commerce Awards have been a witness over the duration of the awards programme.  Criteria for entry became more competitive and the Awards had categories for, among others, the 'best use of broadband, 'teleworking' and 'advanced supply chain'. 

The Government's support through the Department of Trade and Industry ensured a high profile for the Awards and the winners enjoyed both the financial rewards and the profile that goes with leadership in the business sector.

Run on a regional and national level, the Awards encouraged best practice across the UK and provided hundreds of success stories that showed how using e-commerce can have a major impact on profitability and business success.

 When the Awards launched in 1999, they attracted 236 entrants. In 2002, the number of participants rose to 1,683, a sevenfold increase. In 2003 there were a record 2,945 participants, reflecting the growth in e-Commerce and the relevance of the Awards to UK small and medium organisations.  

The overall National winner  received a top prize of £30,000 plus £8,000 for being either a National category winner or National Innovation Award winner.  Each regional winner received £2,000 in prize money.

The programme culminated in a gala awards dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. 

Past Awards winners included:

2003 - National Winner:
Response Maintenance and Building Services Ltd, a company that offers a 24/7 building and repair service covering all trades in the Wolverhampton region.
Site: www.response-maintenance.co.uk

2002 - National Winner:
Global Recycle a Glasgow-based online trading exchange for the world's recycling industry.
Site: www.globalrecycle.net

2001 - National Winner:
Pryse Jones, a legal practice based in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, that specialises in conveyancing and the handlng of all property related legal matters.
Site: www.movingahead.co.uk

2000 - National Winner:
DGC Distribution, an importer and distributor of musical instruments and accessories.
Site: www.guvnor.com

1999 - National Winner:
Civil Defence Supply (CDS), the company that supplies riot contract and special operations equipment, training and consultancy to police, military, enforcement agencies and prisions.
Site: www.civil-defence.org

Click here  for more information about the national E-Commerce Awards and other winning entrants.