Categories

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.  Your business must have been trading for 2 years or less to apply. Entries should not exceed 500 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

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with up to 50 employees who is excelling in their field. Entries should not exceed 500 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

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with 51-250 employees who is excelling in their field. Entries should not exceed 500 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

To recognise outstanding performance by a company with 251+ employees who is excelling in their field. Entries should not exceed 500 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 celebrates UK companies expanding or launching operations overseas. Entries should not exceed 500 words.  Applicants should demonstrate:

• How international trade has benefited the business 
• How new markets are identified and the strategies that have been implemented to penetrate them
• Evidence of positive sales, market share performance and customer feedback
• Expansion plans for the future.

Open to SaaS companies, digital agencies, technology innovators who are excelling in their field. Entries should not exceed 500 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 a business that can demonstrate an efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing. Entries should not exceed 500 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

This award will be presented to a business that puts sustainability and the environment at the heart of its business. Entries should not exceed 500 words. You should 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. 

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.  Entries should not exceed 500 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 recognises businesses that have made a significant commitment to supporting employee health and wellbeing. Entries should not exceed 500 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.

Our Rob Burrow Outstanding Contribution to Charity Award is new for 2024 and will celebrate a Yorkshire company or individual which has done the most to help a good charitable cause in the past 12 months. With this year’s Excellence in Business awards taking place at the stadium, The Yorkshire Post believed it would be a fitting tribute to introduce a special award this year named after him to celebrate the best charitable achievements by a Yorkshire business or business person. Rob's family will be in attendance on the evening of the awards in November to present the trophy to the winner. This category is NOT open to charities and entries should not exceed 500 words.  

This award will recognise any apprentice who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their trainer or mentor. Entries should not exceed 500 words. Please provide evidence of how your apprentice:

• Has shown exceptional drive and commitment to their apprenticeship, learning and personal development
• Is an inspiration to other apprentices and employees in the business
• Demonstrates an ability to overcome obstacles and barriers in learning or at work
• Has brought an idea into the business which has had tangible results to the company

This award celebrates a business leader or entrepreneur who shows outstanding drive, commitment and results. Entries should not exceed 500 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 is for a business that employs two or more family members and has achieved success in its field or industry.  Entries should not exceed 500 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 new category for 2024 celebrates outstanding achievements in the design and execution of new commercial projects in Yorkshire that enhance the economies and communities of the areas they are located in. This accolade recognises projects completed within the past 12-18 months that exhibit exceptional architectural innovation, environmental sustainability, and functionality. This award highlights the collaborative efforts of developers, architects, contractors, and planners who have transformed their visions into exemplary commercial landmarks that set new standards for future developments. Entries should not exceed 500 words.

This is a brand new category for 2024 and is open to any restaurant, hotel, café, pub or bar. This category aims to celebrate and reward the hospitality businesses who are showing the highest levels of committment and success in the Yorkshire region.  We are looking for an organisation in this sector that excels in their field. Entries should not exceed 500 words.

• Top achievements in the last 12 months
• Approach to customer experience and loyalty
• Involvement in the local community
• What makes you stand out from the crowd