MALVERN'S Morgan Motor Company has won a place in an index of the top 100 innovative UK organisations for 2002.

Published in The Guardian newspaper on Monday, the index of BT's Vision 100 research and awards programme for 2002 includes the Eden Project (also overall winner), the John Lewis Partnership, easyJet and Morgan.

The scheme aims to identify organisations that have achieved strategic goals through visionary activities over the last 12 months - regardless of size, age or sector.

In Morgan, the index recognised that the world's only family-run motor manufacturer, established in 1909, has stood by its original vision of producing handmade sports cars for a niche market of driving enthusiasts, despite pressure to modernise.

The firm's cars, which boast immense power and 'retro' styling, are sold through 25 dealerships in the UK and another 30 abroad.

Buyers usually have a two-year wait for a Morgan although this waiting time has been cut from six years.

The Aero 8, launched in 2000, is Morgan's current flagship model and was the company's first new model since 1969.

The firm, once famously criticised on television by troubleshooter Sir John Harvey-Jones for a lack of vision, was pleased with the recognition.

Managing director Charles Morgan, the third member of the family to run the company, said: "The vision has been modified over the years. We've been doing this for a long time, we use very skilled craftsmen and have developed a huge bank of knowledge.

"People acknowledge that our tactics were right all along because people now want bespoke cars with style and character. Customers are happy to wait because they know they will receive a quality product and low volume cars have a much longer shelf life."

Contenders in the index were short-listed by a team of business journalists and researchers led by Cranfield School of Management. An advisory panel of opinion leaders and analysts then selected the final 100.

Hugh Merrill, director of Strategic Partnerships at BT Retail and an advisory panel member, said: "These visionary organisations have shown clarity of purpose, imagination and the capacity to break boundaries. They have taken original concepts, converted their ideas into reality and now connect with employees, suppliers, partners and customers in creative new ways."

Further details about the initiative can be found on the BT Vision 100 website, which can be found at www.business.bt.com/business /vision.