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. In no more than 750 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 a turnover of under £10m who is excelling in their field. In no more than 750 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 a turnover between £10m - £50m who is excelling in their field. In no more than 750 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 a turnover of £50m+ who is excelling in their field. In no more than 750 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. In no more than 750 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.

If your business has undergone significant transformation over the last 2 years we want to hear your story. In no more than 750 words, please share evidence of the following:-

• Challenges overcome and how you have adapted to change in order to manage this and be successful
• Demonstrate flexibility, innovativeness, and nimbleness 
• How you have on boarded your team to adapt to the changes 
• Future plans and strategies to manage change going forward

Open to SaaS companies, digital agencies, technology innovators who are excelling in their field. In no more than 750 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. In no more than 750 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. In no more than 750 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. 

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 750 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 award celebrates organisations that have diversity and inclusion at the heart of their business. In no more than 750 words, applicants should demonstrate the following key points:

• How the company embraces the benefits of a truly diverse workforce. 
• Strategy to offer opportunities for employees with different backgrounds and abilities to thrive and be engaged in the organisation
• Demonstrate the impact of, and positive outcomes from, embracing diversity and inclusion, in relation to the success of the company

This category recognises businesses that have made a significant commitment to supporting employee health and wellbeing. In no more than 750 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.

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 750 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.

This award will recognise any apprentice or trainee who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their trainer or mentor. In no more than 750 words, 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. In no more than 750 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 special award will be given to an individual who has shown a lifetime of commitment to their field, sector, industry or business. In no more than 750 words, please provide:

• Description of the individual and career history
• Overview of their career highlights and achievements
• The impact they have had on their business or sector, on their peers, employees, the wider community 
• Supporting testimonials