Cambridgeshire is buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit and innovative talent which has taken it to new levels despite the difficulties of the past year - so the CambridgeshireLive Business Awards is setting out to celebrate just that.
The awards are a perfect opportunity to dine, network and celebrate the local business community and its successes.
Hosted by the legendary Will Greenwood MBE, the exciting black-tie event is just around the corner - taking place at the Great Hall, King's College on Thursday, March 24.
Showing its support once again for local businesses, is headline sponsoring the event alongside more local powerhouses, including , , , and .
We spoke to some of the sponsors to find out why they think Cambridgeshire is such a special place for business, and what they're looking forward to about the highly-anticipated event.
Here's what Duncan McCunn, head of corporate at ; Inger Anson, head of ’ Cambridge office; and Vic Annells, chief executive of , had to say.
What are you most looking forward to about the event?
Duncan: "It’s the breadth of businesses that the CambridgeshireLive Business Awards provide a platform for that stands out. It’s a showcase for the businesses that have already scaled up and those that are just starting out on that journey.
"We’re hoping to see examples of innovation, resilience and diversification into new markets. It will also be good to see the extent to which investment in R&D has continued despite the disruptions – it continues to be the driver of future growth."
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Inger: "We are looking forward to the chance to shine a spotlight on the outstanding businesses in Cambridgeshire which have been nominated for the awards. We’re not afraid to admit that we’re also looking forward to meeting people face to face after so long and enjoying the chance to catch up."
Vic: "It is my first year as a judge and I must admit to being really excited to see what the nominees can get from this high profile recognition of their excellence. I am sure for some this may well be a game changer in terms of the exposure they will get from being involved and for the winners I think it will be an fantastic platform for them to build more success going forward."
What makes Cambridgeshire such a special place for business?
Duncan: "We have been a key sponsor of these awards for many years. We feel it is important that the achievements of the businesses in the area are given a good platform to show what they have done and how it benefits the wider economy."
Inger: "Cambridge has always attracted the very best minds and when you have so much brilliance in such concentration, innovative and sometimes life-changing ideas are bound to emerge. In recent years, that talent and entrepreneurship has been nurtured in the county so that it has become a base for genuinely world-leading developments."
Vic: "Our region is a hugely diverse and exciting business environment with a unique offering on a global stage. At the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, we aim to help businesses to thrive, leveraging the excellence and opportunities that we have within the region and across our national and global networks, supporting sustainable growth across the county and enabling our communities to flourish.
"We’re sponsoring CambridgeshireLive’s Medium Business of the Year Award 2022 to help showcase and celebrate some of the fantastic work that goes on in our region. A huge congratulations to all who were nominated, it is a tremendous achievement."
The categories are:
- Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Award for Social Entrepreneurship
- Award for Innovation in Business
- Small Business of the Year
- Award for Medium Business of the Year
- Award for Large Business of the Year
- Business Person of the Year
- Award for Outstanding Contribution
- Award for Business of the Year
Barclays is this year's headline sponsor
Headline sponsor of the CambridgeshireLive Business Awards for a seventh year, and sponsoring the Barclays Award for Large Business of the Year, has supported business and innovation for more than 325 years.
Duncan McCunn, head of mid-corporate, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, said: "Barclays is proud to sponsor the awards, as they showcase the very best of Cambridgeshire business. We’re dedicated to helping companies take action to address the environmental and sustainability challenges facing our planet.
"We believe that an inclusive economy is a better economy for everyone, investing in citizenship programmes to have long-term positive impacts in local communities."
The CambridgeshireLive Business Awards 2022 will take place at the Great Hall, King's College on Thursday, March 24. For more information, visit the . #CambsLiveBizAwards