The very best people and companies from across Cheshire are set to be celebrated at a glittering ceremony in December as the region's business awards are launched today.
The will honour the cream of the crop from across the area in the magnificent surroundings of Chester Racecourse on Wednesday, December 1.
Hosted by journalist and presenter Lucy Meacock, the awards will culminate in the ceremony and dinner as the prestigious gongs are handed out, recognising enterprise, achievement and innovation across Cheshire.
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The awards are free to enter and offer opportunities for businesses of all sizes, from new start-ups to the most established names, to gain recognition and respect.
North West Business Editor Tom Houghton said: "We are absolutely delighted to launch the 2021 Cheshire Business Awards.
"Launched by the market-leading Cheshire Live, Chester Chronicle, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicles and Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News - together with BusinessLive - we can't wait to celebrate the area's amazing entrepreneurial spirit
"That's coming after what’s been the most difficult year in memory for firms in the majority of sectors.
"We look forward to shining a light on those who are leading the way and helping put Cheshire on the world stage as a place to do business.
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"Our awards are open to any firm - big or small, that operates here. If you think your company deserves the recognition these awards bring, please complete an entry form.
"Previous winners have gone on to achieve amazing things and I urge as many of you as possible to enter this year’s awards.
"We look forward to receiving your entry and seeing you at the ceremony in December."
Frances Barrett, editor of CheshireLive, added: "Cheshire is a county renowned for its excellence in a number of economic areas not least financial services, technology, motoring, and tourism to name just a few.
"The Cheshire Business Awards celebrates the people who are quite literally the best in the business.
"An opportunity to recognise the manufacturing and service sectors, where we applaud achievement and innovation, where we salute those at the cutting edge of competition and production.
"We do so with genuine pride as we pay a special tribute to those whose hard work and success lies at the very heart of this region’s economic health.
"We would like to invite you to enter the Cheshire County Business Awards, with 12 categories to choose from, we feel confident that one of the awards will help inspire your team, highlight your successes and show your potential clients that they should work with you. "
This year's categories are:
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Business Start Up Award
We’re looking for the best business start-ups. This category is open to companies in the region that have been in operation for a maximum of three years as of October 1, 2021.
Judges will pay particular attention to the origins of the company and how it started out, its business plan and indications of how it has been pursued so far.
They will also look at what differentiates its products/services from their competitors, managerial and financial performance, notable achievements to date, has defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow and thrive and can evidence potential growth.
Business of the Year (up to 49 employees)
If you can demonstrate outstanding business performance in your industry and employ up to 49 people this is the category for you.
Judges will be looking for your specific business achievements and a strong financial performance together with significant local economic impact.
Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
If your business employs more than 50 people and can show outstanding business performance, enter this category.
Judges will consider evidence of a strong financial performance, excellent business achievements, your contribution to local prosperity and other specific initiatives that make you stand out from your peers.
Employer of the Year
We are looking for the employers who can best demonstrate how their leadership and policies support staff development, engagement and satisfaction creating a positive and supportive workplace with a well-motivated and well trained team.
The winner will be more than just a good company to work for, its culture will deliver commercial results and it will be an inspiration to other businesses.
Inspiring Apprenticeships Award
Apprenticeships are good for both businesses and for individuals. They are an important way of improving the skills base in the region, giving young people opportunities beyond the classroom and providing local companies an opportunity to inspire and shape their future workforce.
This award is open to any business in the region who has demonstrated a real commitment to training local young people through apprenticeships, providing them with real work experience whilst being supported by workplace mentors.
Apprentices should have been actively engaged in the shaping of working practices and been offered a job on completion, ideally with a plan for further development and/or progression opportunities within the business.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Does your company strive to achieve a balance between your competitive aims and the interests of society?
This award will be presented to the private sector business or individual judged to have the best history of taking into account the effect of the business operations on the community and the economy.
This can include companies that give time or money to charities or the voluntary sector.
Green Award - sponsored by
The judges are seeking the business or organisation which has demonstrated good environmental or sustainability practice, reducing energy costs, minimising waste or by other means reducing their carbon footprint. If this is you, enter this award.
Exporter of the Year
This award is open to businesses based in Cheshire that export their products or services overseas.
The judges will be looking for a good business that can demonstrate sustained success relative to the size of their businesses and potential for the future.
Innovation and Enterprise Award
This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisation's success.
Judges will be looking for originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.
Young Business Person of the Year
For business people aged 35 or under. This category is looking to recognise business leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future.
Judges will be looking for a successful entrepreneur or a senior manager who has made a significant impact on their business, who has set and achieved objectives within its business plans and established a position of sustainable profitability and success. Please state your date of birth on your entry form.
Business Person of the Year
The Business Person of the year is a judges’ choice award and not open for entry. The winner selected by the judges will be an individual who stands out from the crowd, has an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrates outstanding achievement and inspires others around them.
The winner of this award will have been instrumental to the success of their business, growing the reputation of both their business and the region.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award recognises organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce that excels in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity. The category will cover excellence in all areas of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.
The judges will be looking for a vanguard in business that can demonstrate an effective inclusion and diversity strategy that goes beyond legal compliance and seeks to add value to an organisation, contributing to employee wellbeing and engagement.
Entries must demonstrate how the business has gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, shown commitment and dedication to equality, can exhibit positive results on the organisational culture and prove that they are a true champion of diversity and inclusion.
How to enter
To enter the Cheshire Business Awards 2021 simply the website and complete an entry form. You can enter as many categories as you like that are relevant to your business.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday, October 27.
After a robust judging process the finalists will be announced on BusinessLive, CheshireLive and in our newspapers Chester Chronicle, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicles and Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News.
The winners will be announced at our celebration dinner and awards ceremony on Wednesday, December 1 at Chester Racecourse.
Tickets for the event cost £75 plus VAT each while a table of 10 is priced at £700 plus VAT.
For all enquires please contact the events team on 07917 693561 or email jane.smallwood@reachplc.com.