Last updated at 15:01, Tuesday, 26 June 2012

A MUSIC-LOVING entrepreneur has been nominated for a prestigious business award.

NOMINATED: Rob Dunphy

Rob Dunphy, director of Research Team, has been nominated for the Business of the Year (Small) category of the CN Business Awards 2012.

Mr Dunphy founded the market research company, based in Carlisle Street, Barrow, in 2008.

The company carries out mystery shopping, street and event surveys, perception management, call centre monitoring, in home interviews, focus groups, benchmarking and customer insight studies.

The 36-year-old businessman also devotes much of his time to the community music project, Sonic Zoo, which he runs with Graham Newby.

Local bands have been using its Barrow town centre East Beach recording studio, while younger musicians have laid down their own tracks on the ‘Bandwagon’ youth music programme.

The next phase of Sonic Zoo will see the team launch a 24-hour online radio station.

Mr Dunphy was nominated for the award by Sue Coulson, the director of Backbarrow-based company Coulson Associates Ltd.

She said: “Rob is a credit to his organisation and also the local community.

“As well as Research Team, he spends many hours also running a community-based music studio which gives musicians in the area a platform to get their music heard as well as being mentored and guided in life skills and gain opportunities to be part of something.

“None of this would be possible without Rob.

“His company research team is a very professional and successful organisation which prides itself on working within the Cumbria business community and delivering a high level quality service.

“His local clients include myself, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Cumbria Tourism.

“On top of Rob's professionalism he really is one of the good guys and definitely is a worthy contender for the small business of the year award.”

Nominations are still open for the CN Business awards, organised by CN Group, parent company of the Evening Mail.

The awards, in association with Barclays and Invest in Cumbria, acknowledge the best in business across Cumbria.

All shortlisted entries will receive coverage in CN Group newspapers and websites.

The awards will culminate in a night of celebration at Rheged, Penrith, in October.

To see a list of categories or to apply, visit www.cnbusinessawards.co.uk or call Alison Sisson on 01228 612617.

First published at 13:11, Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk