Having already been named a ‘UK National Champion’ in this year’s prestigious European Business Awards, Norse Group, which includes local company and chamber member Newport Norse, is now aiming for the title of National ‘Public’ Champion and the subsequent international stage of the awards.

Competing against other UK National Champions for the public vote, the company with the most votes will be named National ‘Public’ Champion for the UK on March 7, 2016.

The first phase of the online voting is open from now until February 26, 2016.

Newport Norse, which is based in Telford Street, is a facilities management and contract services provider, which provides a range of property management and facilities management services to Newport City Council.

Norse Group brings together facilities management specialist Norse Commercial Services, property consultancy NPS Group and care homes provider NorseCare, and was recently shown in an independent report to be boosting UK economy by £286m a year, and has put £70m back into the public purse.

Mike Britch, Norse Group managing director, said: “With just over seven weeks for people to vote online for their favourite company, we are hoping that as many people as possible will watch our video and vote for us. The public vote means a great deal as it is our existing and potential clients, staff and stakeholders showing their approval of our success.”

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, said: “Last year the public vote generated more than 170,000 votes from across the world. It is a very important part of the Awards as it gives these entrepreneurial companies another way of showcasing their achievements.”

The European Business Awards was created to recognise and promote business success and support the development of a stronger business community throughout Europe.