Recognising how much effort and hard work is put into growing and developing a business or organisation, the , in association with , are dedicated to those keeping our region’s economy thriving.

On Thursday, October 21 at the Derby Arena, Derbyshire’s business industries will be commended for their resilience and ambition this past year.

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

Sponsored by , the Excellence in Business Growth category recognises the established businesses which are constantly growing. Through innovation, product development, market development or through clear sales and marketing strategies and initiatives, the finalists below continue to support the local community and economy.

The Excellence in Business Growth finalists are:

Ward

A comprehensive waste management and recycling service, Ward directs and delivers the recycling objectives of its clients. A flexible approach to managing waste operations, allied with the needs of businesses, allows Ward to manage across a range of commercial industries.

It is affiliated with the Bureau of International Recycling and adheres to the highest possible environmental standards. This culture of social and corporate responsibility is evident in its bespoke collection, recycling and disposal management, which runs across all categories of business. A 100% waste diversion from landfill is a one of Ward’s essential targets.

Bloc Digital

Now in its second decade of creating digital models, animations and interactive information, Bloc Digital has won several high-profile clients, including Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Dutch Shell and Siemens.

Specialising in both sales and support solutions, Bloc Digital is committed to presenting and re-utilising customer information across the four core digital disciplines. With a tailored approach to each project, Bloc Digital’s adaptive processes allows for differing size and complexities of projects.

In-house personnel combine specialist knowledge, from research and development to maintenance and support applications, to provide both knowledge and creativity across concept, draft and delivery stages.

FC Laser

FC Laser is the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s fastest growing precision laser cutting company, which aims to re-imagine the perception of the industry. Going beyond simply delivering cut steel in a pallet or box, FC Laser strives to respond quickly and reliably, backed by a 1,300 hour operating capacity.

Aligned with the best international operating practices, the flexibility of the organisation allows for consistency of delivery, from small independents to large multinationals. The company’s production and manufacturing hub is a state-of-the-art facility, located to minimise the distribution time and maximise infrastructure. This has helped secure clients from a variety of industries including construction, agriculture, retail and material handling.

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, .