All across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, individuals and businesses have had to step up and face a brand new normal this past year. Having to adapt to ever-changing initiatives, to be innovative in their approaches and steadfast in their commitment, there has been some phenomenal work throughout our region.
So, do you have Swansea Bay's 2021 Business of the Year? What about winning the Innovation Award for your ingenious idea that diversified your company's direction? We want to hear from you to find this year's success stories.
From the Business in the Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award created in the wake of the pandemic to the Start-Up Business of the Year Award to celebrate new ambition and success, there are thousands of entrepreneurs that we want to applaud but need your help in doing so. Just before the deadline on Monday, August 2.
The will take place on Thursday, October 21 at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. Presenter and journalist Frances Donovan has previously hosted the event and will be leading the ceremony once again this year. Tickets will be available for purchase soon, for more information, visit .
Winning an award is more than just a title to add to a list of achievements or a certificate to hang on the wall. Winning encourages all members of the business, uniting the team with the knowledge that hard work pays off and motivating further progress.
Family firm, LBS Builders Merchants won both the Family Business of the Year and Business of the Year categories in 2020. Director Rachel Davies explained how the team were hugely proud of their win, and added that: "This type of recognition is testament to all the commitment, expertise and hard work of our 400-plus team in delivering our LBS strategy."
Read more about the business's successes following its win.
The 16 categories below span across the diverse expanse of Swansea Bay's business industry. Whether you know a specific individual who spent the past year climbing the ladder of success, or your business looks the right fit to win one of the awards, we encourage all companies from the region to enter so that your expert work gets the recognition it deserves.
Most Read
Don't miss the deadline on Monday, August 2 for the chance to win.
The categories for the are:
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by
This award will go to the individual who has made a significant impact on the business world during the past year, either by steering a highly-successful business or by launching a ground-breaking new company or product.
Young Business Person of the Year
This award is made for the business person under the age of 30 who best demonstrates ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. This award is open both to young entrepreneurs that are enjoying success in building their own business and to those employees that have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.
Innovation Award
Sponsored by
This award will go to a company or individual who has made a significant impact on the business world during the past financial year with a new idea. It may be through the successful launch of a new company or business model, the revival of an existing one, by developing and marketing a new product or by diversifying business direction. The ethos of the business will also be taken into consideration.
Female Tech Talent
Sponsored by
This is an award designed to celebrate the outstanding contribution from a female to Wales’ digital tech scene. It could be a pioneering entrepreneur who has built their business from the ground up to a respected name, or a woman within a company who has become a shining light in digital tech. We want the winner’s story to inspire generations of businesswomen to come.
Business in the Community Award
This award will recognise the business who has demonstrated responsible business practices across the four areas of: local community, environment, their people and supply chain. Judges will look for evidence of a contribution to the overall wellbeing of the community, its environment and general quality of life. Applicants must demonstrate a working partnership using positive influences to support suppliers and other partners to adopt best environmental, workplace and community practice.
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Workplace equality as more than just policies and practices, it is something that runs through the heart of what a business does.
Don’t miss
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 has put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of their business culture with outstanding results.
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.
Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award
The Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award will recognise businesses within the tourism and hospitality industry that have demonstrated resilience, innovation and adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Judges will be looking for businesses who have overcome adversity whether that is through offering a take-out option to survive, creating outdoor seating or switching their entire business model. We also want to hear about how these businesses may have supported their local community and their plans for the future.
Customer Focus Award
The Customer Focus Award aims to honour firms which give great service and are truly dedicated to their users. Judges will be looking at how customer service strategy has: increased growth or market share and improved financial performance; embedded ethical or sustainable practice; enhanced customer delivery and engagement; more effective leadership and management, alongside more engaged and motivated staff; and optimised innovation and improved operational excellence.
Fastest Growing Tech Business Award
The winner will be able to demonstrate annual revenue growth greater than 10% year on year over the last three years. Judges will be looking at the turnover, profitability, head counts, demonstrable success and/or a great technology platform at the heart of the business, all of which are driving growth. They will acknowledge all ways of growth, for example, organic growth, self funding, second round funding (It is second round funding, growth to be more than 20% year on year).
Employer of the Year
This award honours the region’s top employers. These companies will have demonstrated strong investment in their employees as well having a reward scheme and other key employee benefits. Judges will also be looking for companies that can show a significant commitment to the ongoing training and education of its employees for them to gain the necessary skills to maximise their contribution.
Family Business of the Year
This award is open to first generation family-owned companies, multi-generational businesses and publicly owned firms in the Swansea Bay Region in which founding families still hold a significant stake. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past 12 months. The winner will have demonstrated the work that has been done to mitigate or capitalise on the impact of Covid-19 on people, processes and profit, as well as long-term planning. Our judges will be looking at the agility of the business for their people and the future.
We want to hear about what they have done to protect their business and their people and what is in place to build on in 2021. We also want to hear what they have done that has supported their wider community, for example, fundraising, diversification to home deliveries, or online ordering.
Start Up Business of the Year
Sponsored by
The Start-Up Business of The Year award will go to an organisation that has been established within the past two and a half years. It must demonstrate evidence of entrepreneurship and/or innovation, has defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow and thrive, and can evidence solid business plans, future growth potential and a determination to succeed. The judges will take into consideration managerial performance, sales growth, profit achievement, number of people employed and evidence of a satisfied customer base.
Small Business of the Year
The Small Business Of The Year Award is open to companies in the Swansea Bay Region with fewer than 25 employees. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past six to 12 months. The winner will have demonstrated the work that has been done to mitigate or capitalise on the impact of Covid-19 on people, processes and profit, as well as long-term planning. Our judges will be looking at the agility of the business for their people and the future. We also want to hear what they have done that has supported their wider community.
Medium - Large Business of the Year
This award is open to companies in the Swansea Bay Region with 25 or more employees. The judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past six to 12 months. The winner will have also demonstrated the work that has been done to mitigate or capitalise on the impact of Covid-19 on people, processes and profit, as well as long-term planning. Our judges will also be looking at the agility of the business for their people and the future.
We want to hear about what they have done to protect their business and their people and what is in place to build on in 2021. We also want to hear what they have done that has supported their wider community.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will go to the businessman or woman who, in the opinion of the judges, has made a considerable, profitable and lasting contribution to the local economy over a period of at least 20 years. This may be awarded to a member of a company or a member of a business organisation.
Business of the Year
The winner of this award will be selected by our judging panel.
- If you, or your business would like to be a bigger part of our awards we do have some sponsorship opportunities available. Interested? Contact Nikki at Nikki.Kandola@reachplc.com or 0116 366 5126 for further information.
If your business fits the requirements for any of the categories above, before the deadline on Monday, August 2.
The will take place at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Thursday, October 21. Tickets will be available for purchase soon. Visit for more information about the free to attend webinar on Monday June 14.