Categories

This category is open to any business with a turnover over £30 million.

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with a workforce of 250+ 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 and/or team growth
• How you have overcome 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 will go to an organisation that can best demonstrate that it has the customer at the heart of the business.  In no more than 1000 words applicants will demonstrate:

• Describe your customers, the customer journey and why their experience with you is unique
• How the company measures ongoing customer service 
• Steps taken to improve the customer experience across the organisation
• Evidence of customer engagement through data and testimonials

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

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 dynamic contribution made to the local community by supporting local charities, initiatives or other community events. This category is open to both businesses and Not for Profit 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. 

Open to SaaS companies, digital agencies, technology innovators who are excelling in their field. In no more than 1000 words, please provide evidence of the following;

• Overview of your product or service, USP and markets you operate in
• Key achievements in your business directly related to the technology or digital product or service
• How you ensure you are competitive and continually leading in your field
• How you ensure your staff and customers remain engaged with your product or service

This award recognises the business that has shown pre-eminent commitment to the development and welfare of its people, by encouraging communication, creativity and proactivity throughout the organisation. The winner will be able to show appreciation, genuine commitment to, and trust in, its people leading to success in business, as well as a fulfilling and stimulating working environment. An award for a business that has great staff relations, good staff retention, with excellent training and who cares for their employees. The best companies to work for! The judges will look for evidence and testimonials that confirm all of the above.

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, applicants will need to demonstrate;

• 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 category is open to any business with a turnover up to £3 to £30 million.

 In no more than 1000 words, entrants must demonstrate:

• Evidence of clear strategy and vision, aligned with financial and/or team growth
• How you have overcome 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 category is open to any business with a turnover up to £3 million.

In no more than 1000 words, entrants must demonstrate:

• Evidence of clear strategy and vision, aligned with financial and/or team growth
• How you have overcome 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 will be presented to a business that puts sustainability and the environment at the heart of its business. In no more than 1000 words, describe your company’s commitment to:

• Ensuring its environmental impact is kept to an absolute minimum, for example through recycling, carbon offset, water conservation or sustainable energy schemes.
• Sustainability achievements in the last 12 months
• How you are helping to drive wider progress in the green economy
• Demonstrate your business growth and financial success whilst delivering social and environmental benefit. 

Open to those aged 40 and under, 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 category recognises businesses that have made a significant commitment to supporting employee health and wellbeing. In no more than 1000 words, please explain:

• What action you are taking to promote health and wellbeing in the workplace
• The positive impact implementing an employee health and wellbeing strategy has had on the company and how this will benefit future growth
• Ways your strategy is different to other companies in your field
• Testimonials from staff about their experience.