Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your apprentices so they take care of your business.

Winners in this category won’t be standing still and doing the same old things, they’ll be moving and shaking, leading in their markets. In terms of this category, enterprise can be defined as showing initiative and willingness to undertake new projects.

This award recognises businesses that have been trading for over 10 years and continue to demonstrate strong performance, resilience, and growth. It celebrates those that have stood the test of time while maintaining high standards, adapting to change, and making a lasting impact in their business community.

You’ve come into business in the last 2 years (start date on or after the 1st January 2025) with a bang and are really getting noticed for what you do. Tell us what makes you the best of a great new crop.

Innovation in your business means doing something new, different, smarter or better that will make a positive difference. Innovation therefore ranges from implementing a time-saving office procedure to a brand new product.

This award will go to the business with under 50 employees that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.

This award will go to the business with over 50 employees that can demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.

This award will go to a business person or entrepreneur who shows outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.

This award will be presented to the best female business owner or a female who has had a positive impact on a business/es. They will show how they have exceptional drive to succeed and how they have been integral to making the business or businesses a success.

This category celebrates both Community Businesses and Not for Profit Organisations. What these businesses have in common is that their focus is on positively benefitting society. All profit from a community business is reinvested in the local area and all profit from a charitable organisation goes to fulfilling their objectives.

This award recognises businesses prioritising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and demonstrating a commitment to change.

Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your employees so they take care of your business.

This award recognises companies that have run a successful operation selling goods and/or services overseas – compliantly and sustainably. Successful entrants will be innovative, dynamic and have a great story to tell!

The winners of Family Business of the Year will be combining their passion in business with their shared family values. We recommend your business being passed down at least 2 generations. The judges will be looking at how you can grow your business while still keeping your core family values at the center of everything you do.

High growth firms are referred to as ‘gazelles’ for the way they are racing ahead, contributing massively to employment growth. Our judges want to know about your achievements and plans for even more success.

This award will recognise a business that has set the benchmark for excellence, value and innovation within the hospitality, leisure or tourism sector. Judges will be looking for entrants to demonstrate how they’ve delivered outstanding experiences, pushed the boundaries of innovation, created new value and provided exceptional service and quality.

You have moved on from being merely a UK-based importer or exporter of goods and/or services in any sector. You have now established a permanent presence overseas and are increasing your turnover and profitability through international trade.

The winner of the category will be innovating and adapting their business to not only thrive but benefit the wider community. Our judges will not only be looking at how you plan to create a positive impact, but what you are currently doing to put this in place.

The winner of this category will give outstanding assistance and advice to those who buy or use the business or organisation’s products or services. They will be able to provide customer testimonials to back up their submission.

Being “green” and “sustainable” in business terms means reducing or removing the harmful impact that products and/or services have on the environment. Tell us how you excel in this area!

Irrespective of your size, your website says it all. It should look great, be really easy to navigate, showcase whatever it is you do but most importantly, it should engage the viewer and keep them on your site for as long as you need them.

For business people aged 30 or less (by 1st January 2027) who have demonstrated a high degree of entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future. The judges will be looking to identify an individual who has set up a business or has had a significant influence in the business, that has set and achieved objectives within its business plans and established a position of sustainable profitability and success.