Azzurri Communications has won the ‘Most Dynamic Business' award at the Thames Valley Business Magazine 2009 Awards. The judging criteria for the winner was based on being able to demonstrate a consistent record of growth, as well as demonstrating creative and innovative thinking across all aspects of the business.

Azzurri employs 750 staff across eight UK offices and delivers integrated voice, data, mobile and contact centre solutions to a customer list that includes over 25% of the FTSE100. It was formed in 2000 and in its first six years pursued an aggressive ‘buy and build' strategy, acquiring 16 businesses. Over the last year Azzurri has shifted its strategy, becoming increasingly customer focused while continuing to prosper.

Gordon Matthew, Chief Executive Officer for Azzurri explains: "Winning the Most Dynamic Business award represents a strong validation of Azzurri's unique place in the market. Our ability to deliver and manage the most innovative, flexible and cost-effective telecommunications solutions for customers has meant we've seen organic growth despite the challenging economic climate. Put simply, through working with Azzurri, our customers can remain agile. This is a compelling story whatever the market environment."

Matthew continues: "Azzurri aims to practice what it preaches and we've looked hard at our own business. Bringing a number of acquired businesses with different processes and cultures into a single cohesive entity has not always been easy, but over the last year we've clarified our vision, nationalised our internal structures and processes, refined our service delivery model, and launched our five Centres of Excellence. Our customers are already seeing the benefits, which positions Azzurri for further growth."

Deloitte's Ian Barton, head of corporate finance advisory Thames Valley and leader of the Most Dynamic Business category's judging panel, said: "This year we were looking for organisations that have perhaps faced up to quite difficult challenges and found ways of dealing with them which demonstrate a different sort of dynamism."

The Awards were open to every company in the Thames Valley area and sought to recognise not only profitability, innovation and employment but also the contribution made to the local economic community and the provision of support to culture and charities in the region.

The Awards were presented at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on November 19th 2009.

Further information (external website)