Innovation is at the heart of most businesses. Whether it’s developing a new service, inventing a new product or finding a way to satisfy customer needs, having the ambitious trait of ingenuity is often the key to success.

Live at the Derby Arena, swapping the computer screen for the stage, the , in association with , big awards ceremony is back. On Thursday, October 21, we will see many local businesses, organisations and entrepreneurs receive recognition for their efforts through the diverse awards and titles set to be handed out.

This year’s headline sponsors are , , , and . To find out more, visit the For tickets, contact Michelle Roberts, .

Everyone has had to take on new digital practices while working from home or being in lockdown, so the Best Digital Transformation category, sponsored by , is more relevant than ever this year. Aimed at companies who have made a transformation of business processes through digital advancements, this award is a celebration of ingenuity and adaptability. The category looks at how the adoption of digital processes or technologies has benefited the company, employees and customers by helping them to deliver projects.

The Best Digital Transformation finalists are:

Work Wallet

The Work Wallet platform provides the tools and information that helps employers manage health and safety in the workplace. Maintaining operational standards in the workplace through comprehensive digitised management features has won Work Wallet contracts with Bombardier, Bowmer and Kirkland, Tomlinson and The Coal Authority.

Its all-in-one health and safety software covers all the major facets of safety management, from accident reporting, safety card, training records and asset inspections. The system can integrate seamlessly into pre-existing backend management software. It is currently used in 23 countries, is translated into numerous languages and allows user to select business-specific features.

ƵATA

A leading authority in asbestos training, ƵATA is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers exacting instruction and teaching standards across the entire asbestos industry. It is committed to improving the quality of training through ongoing monitoring of approved training providers.

The success of ƵATA is driven by industry acknowledgement of their impeccable standards. While ƵATA complies with the guidelines of current regulations, it continues to seek to positively influence asbestos regulations to level-up the Ƶ’s overall safety procedures. This objective informs its strap-line of ‘taking asbestos to the heart of the industry’ and its dedication to forming mutually beneficial industry partnerships.

Monkey vs Owl

Monkey vs Owl is a property management agency created to give both landlords and tenants pain-free way of locating and letting property. What separates Monkey vs Owl from its competitors is the emphasis on making the property search and letting process fun, focusing on students eager to discover and enjoy a new city.

This is achieved with clever branding that encapsulates the student experience (the partying “Cheeky Monkey” and the studious “Wise Owl”) and city guides that offer attractions and discounted events. The fit is propelled by its belief that, even in property letting and management, there is a time for work, and a time for play.

The categories are:

Company of the Year

SME Business of the Year Sponsored by

Start-Up Business of the Year Sponsored by

Business Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by

Employer of the Year Sponsored by

Customer Service Excellence Award

Professional Services Sponsored by

Excellence in Innovation Award Sponsored by

Contribution to the Community Award Sponsored by

Family Business of the Year Sponsored by

Apprentice Employer of the Year Sponsored by

Not-For-Profit-Organisation Award Sponsored by

Education Sector: Business Engagement and Employability Sponsored by

Best Digital Transformation Sponsored by

Excellence in Manufacturing Award Sponsored by

Excellence in Business Growth Sponsored by

  • The will take place on Thursday, October 21 at the Derby Arena. To find out more information, visit the
  • For tickets, please contact Michelle Roberts, .