Categories

This award celebrates a business leader or entrepreneur who shows outstanding drive, commitment and results. In no more than 1000 words, applicants should demonstrate how the individual excels in the following areas:

• Enterprising qualities and sound management practices
• Approach to sustainable growth and commercial acumen 
• Entrepreneurial skills and inspiration to others
• Leadership skills and ability to bring their team into their vision and future plans

This award recognises a business that can demonstrate an efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing. In no more than 1000 words, applications should show:

• Growth and consistent commercial performance, increased market share and operational effectiveness
• Approach to training, team and future talent
• Approach to sustainability and positive impact on the environment.
• Any investment in R&D and the ROI it has generated

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with a workforce of 1-249 staff who is excelling in their field. In no more than 1000 words, entrants must demonstrate:

• Evidence of clear strategy and vision, aligned with financial growth and/or team
• How you have overcoming challenges and turned difficult situations around
• Excellence in your field and commitment to customer service
• Investment in training and performance
• Innovative or effective marketing

This award celebrates innovation: of products, services, business models or initiatives. If you are doing something different that is creating change or making a positive difference to your clients, customers or staff, then this award is for you.  In no more than 1000 words, entrants will need to:

• An overview of your innovation
• The process implemented to research, develop and launch it
• The positive impact of your innovation; covering any or all of the following - business, team, clients, stakeholders, wider community.
• Future plans and how innovation plays a part in them

This award is for a business that employs two or more family members and has achieved success in its field or industry.  In no more than 1000 words, applicants will need to:

• Explain why the company represents a successful family business; how the family are involved and the benefits they bring to the success of the business
• Family values and how these have guided the development of the business
• Plans for growth, including product/service development, family representation, people development, and/or your commitment to the community
• Your future plans for the business, including how current and future generations will be involved

This award is open to start-up businesses operating for under two years. In no more than 1000 words, please provide:

• An overview of why the business launched and the gap in the market at that time
• Evidence of your business success and progress to date
• How your business/service/product compares to other start-ups, particularly those in your business sector
• Vision and plans for future growth

Open to any restaurant, hotel, café, pub, retail, leisure facility, or similar business excelling in its field and driving positive economic impact for the area. In no more than 1000 words, applications will demonstrate:

• Overview of your business and top achievements in the last 12 months
• Approach to team, staff retention and training
• Approach to customer experience and loyalty
• Involvement in the local community

This award recognises a dynamic contribution a company has made to the local community by supporting local charities, initiatives or other community events. This category is not open to charities, CICs or community focused organisations. In no more than 1000 words, entrants will 

• Explain the company’s strategic mission to engage with the local community and why this was important to the business
• What the strategy involves and how this is implemented
• The positive impact the strategy has on the community; people, places, purpose
• How the business works with the community in relation to employee engagement, marketing, training and support.