Press Release

Forimmediate release

Friday14 November 2003

Which is the best-managed UKcompany?

UK businesses arebeing given the chance to prove how well managed they are by entering a majornew business award. The Institute of Directors (IoD) in association withCranfield School of Management will be selecting the nation's best-managedcompany over the next 12 months.

Businesses are beinginvited to complete a special investigative survey developed by Cranfield thatwill assess just how well British companies are run.

All companies thatcomplete an entry will receive a benchmarking report that will show theperformance of the company in comparison with others in their business sector.The data will also be used to compare businesses both within geographic regionsand nation-wide.

The top performingbusinesses will be contacted by the panel of judges to arrange an assessmentvisit. Those short-listed will then beinvited to the award ceremony in London.

The IoD's DirectorGeneral, George Cox, said:

Cranfields novelapproach should provide a fascinating insight into how companies compare. Anything that provides new analysis andstimulates better performance by UK companies is to be welcomed.

Mike Sweeney,Professor of Operations Management at Cranfield, said:

Cranfield and the IoDhave developed the Best Managed Companies Award scheme to recognise and topublicise corporate management excellence within the United Kingdom.

"This is an opportunityfor companies of all types to participate in an important award scheme whichwill enable them to benchmark their business management achievements againstthe best within their industry sector and nationally.

Ends 14.11.03 No.207

Contact Points

Richard Taylor, PressOfficer, Tel. 020 7451 3264

Mobile and out of hours. 07721 734886

Email. press@iod.com

Web. www.iod.com

David Marshall,Director of Public Affairs, Tel: 020 7451 3263

mobile and outof hours: 07764 883420

KateEnright, Press & PR Manager, Cranfield School of Management

Tel.01234 754425

Email. kate.enright@cranfield.ac.uk

Notes to editors

The Institute ofDirectors is a non-party political independent organisation with around 55,000members. In addition to its wide range of business services, the IoD providesan effective voice to represent the interests of its members to government andkey opinion-formers. It also brings the experience of business leaders to bearon the conduct of public affairs.

Application forms canbe downloaded from

http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/groups/opsman/iodsurvey/entry.asp

or by contacting

Dawn Gallyt

Cranfield School ofManagement

Cranfield

Bedford MK43 0AL

Tel: 01234 751122