A law firm which has spent the past seven years building links with Brighton and Hove's artistic community has won recognition for its efforts.

DMH Stallard scooped the Outstanding Achievement Award at the inaugural Arts and Business South East Awards, held in London recently.

The firm has helped further the careers of dozens of artists by holding bi-monthly exhibitions in the reception area of its Brighton offices in Queens Road.

It also incorporates art into its annual general meeting where, among other things, actors have performed theatre pieces on the importance of customer care.

DMH Stallard is also a sponsor of the Brighton Festival.

Partners Tim Aspinall and Keith Robinson, events co-ordinator Tina Stiles and marketing director Chris Yates received the award at the Hampton Court Palace event.

Managing partner Mr Aspinall said: "DMH Stallard has always been a great supporter of the arts.

"Arts and Business brings companies closer to the arts and shows how it can improve the working environment.

"To receive the award was a great surprise and honour for the firm."

Arts and Business is a Government-funded organisation which promotes close working relationships between the two worlds.

Jane Chambers, South-East regional director, said: "The idea of building partnerships between business and the arts is something that can benefit both parties.

"Artists can benefit from the commercial acumen of their business partners and, in some cases, the publicity of having their work on display.

"On the other hand, the arts can be used to inspire businesses, improve staff morale and can be incorporated into companies' training programmes."

She added: "It's about taking a little bit of a risk on something, trying to do something different to get better results for your business.

"Creative thinking is important."

Other winners on the night were American Express (AMEX), which won the Long Term Sponsor Award for its ongoing partnership with The Brighton Festival.

AMEX has sponsored the festival for the last 20 years, helping organisers reach new audiences for contemporary dance and putting on workshops for schools.

Other partnerships which took home awards were:

The Innocent Drinks First-Time Sponsor Award. Winner: Gossypium, in partnership with the Intrepid Theatre Company.

The Midnight Communications Insight Award. Winner: Eurotunnel, in partnership with various independent artists.

The AXA PPP Healthcare Outlook Award. Winner: Gunwharf Quays, in partnership with various arts partners.

The Courvoisier Business Advisor of the Year Award. Winner: Lisa Walden, who works at Prudential, in partnership with the Proteus Theatre Company.

Tuesday May 10 2005