Business Continuity Company Plan-b Limited has been selected as a finalist in the 2012 AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

Recognised for excellence in the Large Business $10m-$50m turnover category, Plan-b will join 49 other finalists in this years' AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards - a record number in the awards seven year history.

Sarah Trotman, Founder of the Excellence in Business Support Awards and Director of Business Relations at AUT Business School says the high level of interest this year is highly encouraging for New Zealand business.

"The Excellence in Business Support Awards were established in 2005, and never before have we had 49 finalists. It's a true reflection of the quality of applicants we have had this year.

"Such interest in recognising quality in the field of business support indicates an understanding that, with world-class business support, New Zealand can build world-class business," says Trotman.

For Dean of AUT Business School Geoff Perry, being aligned with the awards provides an important opportunity to build on the Schools existing engagement with industry.

"The Excellence in Business Support Awards are regarded highly among industry, providing organisations the chance to benchmark their performance alongside others in their field. As a Business School, it's important for us to celebrate the businesses that contribute to the economic and social development of our region, so that together, we can continue to add value to the changing world of business," says Dr Perry.

The robust entry and evaluation process of the awards enables finalists to reflect on how effectively their organisation achieves business excellence in all key areas including leadership and planning, customer and market focus, provision of business support, evaluation and improvement, and business results.

Finalists now have until 6 July to submit their final applications. The winners will then be announced in October at a black-tie gala dinner in Auckland. The Supreme Award will be chosen from the category winners.

Evaluation of all nominations will be overseen by The New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation, including evaluators for the management department of AUT Business School. Excellence will be assessed using the international Baldridge criteria.