We've already found out how to write a winning entry into this year's Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards 2022 - now it's time to discover what will make each esteemed judge sit up and notice your entry.
These awards have seen hundreds of success stories get the recognition they deserve and businesses celebrated for their achievements.
Your business could be added to that list by before Monday, January 10.
There's no doubt that the grand black-tie ceremony will be a celebration to remember, with success being showcased from every corner of Stoke-on-Trent, from every industry and market.
Headline sponsored by , the highly anticipated event will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2022. For more information .
The judging panel this year is made up of some of the city's most innovative and entrepreneurial minds. Representatives from the sponsors which are a vital support to events like these, this panel knows first hand how much the local business community deserve to be recognised.
Here's some more about them and what they're looking for in the entries for 2022.
Paul Williams,
Paul Williams is a board member and director for place marketing with the Stoke-on-Trent City BID and he currently chairs the city’s Cultural Destination Partnership.
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He said: "I’m delighted to be involved in judging this year’s flagship Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards which provide an excellent profile-raising platform for businesses to enhance their reputation.
"The BID recognises that a strong business community creates an improved trading environment, so being able to create as many touch points for businesses to learn from good practice and each other is more important than ever in these challenging times.
"The process of applying for the awards will not only enable you to review and self-evaluate great customer service, ingenuity and innovation, the vital contribution your business makes to the economy or society, or even how good you are as an employer. Whatever your strengths, it is important to shout about these in an increasingly competitive landscape."
Hannah Ault and Louisa Shaw,
Hannah Ault is the board chair of sponsor We Are Staffordshire and director of Valentine Clays Ltd. She is also a director on both the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Boards.
She said: “As a local business leader in Stoke-on-Trent myself, I am incredibly passionate about our city, and the wider county. These awards showcase the brightest and best in business – an opportunity to celebrate all that local businesses have achieved in what has been one of the hardest economic and social periods in recent history.
"Despite these challenges, businesses in Staffordshire have in many cases, not only survived, but thrived – I’m personally looking for nominations that can demonstrate how businesses have innovated, adapted and flexed to account for these extraordinary times, including social commitments and supporting local workforces. Good luck to all nominees, we look forward to receiving your entries!”
Louisa Shaw is Staffordshire's first place brand manager, working with valued partners and businesses to develop and promote Staffordshire as the only place to live, work, visit and study.
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She said: “I’m delighted to be part of the judging panel for the awards. We Are Staffordshire’s mission, and the key focus of my role is to showcase our county as the place where people can live, work, visit, and learn – our local businesses are absolutely central to our inspiring story and show just how much Staffordshire has to offer.
“I’m really excited to discover our hidden treasures and organisations in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, to shine the spotlight on those who deliver great products and services behind the scenes, and whose stories really deserve recognition.”
Shine a spotlight on your most notable achievements by today. Entries close on Monday, January 10, 2022. |
Daran Harding,
Daran Harding has spent more than 30 years working in the banking sector across the Midlands and North West and is currently the director and head of business development at Dains.
Daran said: "I'm thrilled to be involved in the judging of our region's finest business talent. There is so much potential for success throughout Stoke-on-Trent and it's great to see it recognised - especially in the Growth Award which Dains is sponsoring this year.
"I'd love to hear how our local businesses have used their ingenuity during the pandemic to transform their trajectory of success. Adaptability is vital to business success and when this is combined with a flexible, capable workforce, almost anything is possible. An entry to the Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards is a great way to show that skill off."
Mark Inskip,
Mark Inskip has been a qualified financial adviser for more than 20 years, with many of his clients staying with him throughout his career due to his excellent service and relationship with them. He is a regional head of financial planning at Brewin Dolphin, one of the 海角视频's largest independent private client investment managers.
A long-time sponsor of local business and community awards, Brewin Dolphin is sponsoring the 2022 award for Business of the Year.
Sally McGill,
Sally McGill worked in senior financial positions prior to becoming the chief financial officer and deputy chief executive at Staffordshire University, an organisation committed to innovating and working differently. The headline sponsor of the event, Staffordshire Univeristy is also sponsoring the Science and Technology category.
She said: “Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards are a great opportunity for businesses to demonstrate how they are innovating and growing to meet challenges and opportunity, at the same time as positively impacting our regional economy.
"Innovation and enterprise are key to business growth and in recent years businesses have had to adapt to new ways of working in an increasingly digital world. Our University’s Innovation Enterprise Zone is Staffordshire University’s response to meeting business needs and providing access to specialist facilities, expertise, and training.
"It is important to recognise, showcase and celebrate the achievements of our new and established businesses. I’m honoured to be representing Staffordshire University on the judging panel for these awards and I encourage businesses large and small to take part."
Fiona Hawkins,
Fiona Hawkins is the managing director of marketing agency which helps company's achieve their goals. Throughout the past 20 years, she has worked with some of the country's largest brands. The company is sponsoring High-Performing Team of the Year, an attribute Fiona ensures for her own team by continually training and upskilling her specialists.
Fiona said: The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards is a place to showcase the region’s most exceptional businesses and individuals. After a turbulent few years, those businesses which have come out fighting and stronger than ever must celebrate that achievement.
"I’m looking to read inspiring stories from people who have stepped up, innovated, led and developed. Stoke-on-Trent has a plethora of successful and often modest businesses, and I’m eager to hear from them and to see how they’ve thrived. I’m hoping to come across businesses and people who are ambitious, determined and awe-inspiring."
Ross Edwards,
Ross Edwards is the managing director of the Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld, the dealership with the largest array of premium German brand motorhomes in the 海角视频 market. With his father having founded the business himself and the family joining to create a successful empire, Ross knows all about the ambition and spirit involved in becoming an entrepreneur.
Ross said: "We are proud to be backing the Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards 2022, and particularly the Entrepreneur of the Year category, to recognise those in our region who have quickly adapted to the changing landscape to grow business, turn profit and provide jobs to the local community. I am looking forward to the awards and hearing some amazing success stories.”
Geoff Riley,
Geoff Riley is the CEO of the Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre as well as acting as the 海角视频 representative on the board of directors of the European Business Innovation Centre Network in Brussels.
He said: "As a judge for the Stoke-on-Trent Business Live Awards I feel the Innovation in Business award fits into our overall remit of 'turning innovative ideas into business opportunities' and enables entrants into this category the opportunity to showcase their developing innovations and ideas.
"My involvement with the awards goes back 20 years and the BIC has sponsored this category since the start. It has been an incredible journey seeing the wide range of ideas and unique items during this time and I’m sure that this year will be no exception."
Simon McEneny,
Simon McEneny is the executive director for commercial development and economic growth at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. The council is sponsoring the Small Business of the Year category, something which Simon has vast experience with. He has many years of project managing and directing, taking on regeneration and development projects to see business and areas grow to reach their full potential.
- The Stoke-on-Trent BusinessLive Awards 2022 are open for entries until January 10, 2022, with the grand ceremony taking place on Thursday, April 28, 2022. To enter or find out more information .