Returning to honour the talent and expertise in Derbyshire's business industry, the , in association with , is back once again.
With a troubling year behind us and normality right around the corner, the remarkable work put in by our community this past year deserves celebrating.
Here are THREE reasons why you should enter your business into this year's :
Exciting event
On Wednesday, September 22 we're hosting a special night for sponsors and finalists. Filled with drinks and canapes, you'll be able to network with fellow business excellence at the private event.
But don't forget, you'll still have the big event to come. On Thursday, October 21, the awards ceremony will be held at the Derby Arena. Your hard work will be recognised in front of hundreds of attendees and finally we'll all get the chance to dress up and celebrate after a challenging year.
To find out more, visit the For tickets, please contact Michelle Roberts, .
This year’s headline sponsors are , , , and .
Taking the title
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Being entered into, shortlisted or winning at the is evidence of your business's potential and its standing in the region for clients and customers. It highlights your commitment to the local community, providing a positive review from an independent, valued source.
Not only is a regional title a brilliant addition to your list of achievements and a prestigious award to have on display, it can be a huge morale boost for the team. Seeing such dedication and passion recognised and appreciated can show your workforce how much of a difference they are making.
You never know, the encouragement might spark your next ingenious idea.
Free promotion
Your success story will be shared with not only the business elite at the event but the whole region. In print in the Derbyshire Telegraph and online at DerbyshireLive and BusinessLive, an audience of loyal readers will be able to discover you and your business.
Check out the category requirements below and before Friday, June 11 for the chance to win.
2021 DerbyshireLive Business Awards sponsors
This year’s headline sponsors are:
Invictus makes switching to hosted telephony simple and painless for your business.
Its years of experience in the telecoms industry means the team have seen a lot of complicated solutions – and it really doesn’t need to be that way.
That’s why they vow to cut away all the jargon and provide straightforward telecoms solutions.
By getting to know your unique business and needs, they pride themselves on creating the right solutions to increase your productivity, security and flexibility.
Since 2018, careers specialist Futures has supported more than 90,000 adults across the East Midlands and East of England, and thousands of school leavers in Nottingham alone.
Combined with the other contracts, Futures has supported more than 1 million in the past 25 years.
It was launched in 1995 as a result of a Government White Paper that moved careers services from the local authority.
Helping companies improve their performance online since 2011, Diginius is a software and solutions provider that empowers organisations to achieve the maximum impact from their online sales and marketing activities.
Its Diginius Insight Software integrates data feeds into one single, easy-to-understand platform to help identify how clients can get the best results.
Derby Arena is an incredibly flexible space making an ideal venue for a wide range of activities and events, including celebrations, ceremonies, trade fairs, exhibitions, product launches, conferences and meetings.
The Arena’s main space can hold anything up to 5,000 (seated and standing), and there is also a suite of multi-purpose rooms that can be used as a breakout space or for smaller events, meetings, training, conferences and hospitality.
The Arena’s 250m indoor cycle track, sports infield, state-of-the-art gym and exercise studios offer further opportunities to build bespoke corporate packages to meet your needs.
Derby College prides itself on offering the widest range of study programmes in the area.
Whatever your interests and aspirations, it can help you go further, faster, irrespective of your previous qualifications or attainments.
The college group supports around 19,000 students aged from 16 upwards, works in partnership with around 3,000 employers, has a turnover of around £49 million and provides work for around 1,300 people.
The categories are:
Company of the Year Sponsored by
The Company of the Year award celebrates businesses that have performed outstandingly throughout the year. Recognising a firm that has stood out from the crowd, the winner of this category will have developed a strong business presence with proof of achievements including strong market share, economic turn-around and innovative approach. Judges will be looking for a business that can be universally admired for their commercial practice and dedication to success.
SME Business of the Year Sponsored by
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The award is open to companies in the region which normally employ no more than 250 full-time staff members and have a proven record of success. Recognising a business that has shown marked success over the year, this award celebrates companies that are integral to the economy. For all finalists, judges will consider the prospective growth and development opportunities for the future of each business.
Start-Up Business of the Year Sponsored by
This award is open to companies in the region that have been in operation for a maximum of three years as of January 1st 2020. This coveted award recognises the region’s brightest new businesses and the contribution it will make to the county in the future. Judges will be tasked with analysing business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years.
Business Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by
This award celebrates the entrepreneurs behind some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Derbyshire. Looking at the individual achievements of the entrepreneur, the results returned by their business and their unique approach to the marketplace they operate in, the judges will select finalists that best represent the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.
Employer of the Year Sponsored by
This award is open to companies in the region that have been in operation for a maximum of three years as of January 1st 2020. This coveted award recognises the region’s brightest new businesses and the contribution it will make to the county in the future. Judges will be tasked with analysing business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years.
Customer Service Excellence Award
This award recognises those companies that make customer service a priority in their day-to-day operations. The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate how they deliver excellent customer service and can showcase this with testimonials and through their methods.
Professional Services Sponsored by
The companies nominated for this award will have demonstrable strengths in service excellence, business growth, innovation, technology, training and personal development. This category covers a wide range of professional services, including legal, financial, retail, hospitality and general services, to name but a few. Judges will be looking for a service company that has achieved and succeeded measurable business goals.
Excellence in Innovation Award Sponsored by
The Excellence in Innovation Award celebrates a company that has made strides in their field, be it creating or introducing something new within the industry, while continuing to strengthen the regional economy. The finalists will be selected and judged on the quality of their products and services, their dedication to sales performance, their commitment to innovation and the sustainability of their business.
Contribution to the Community Award Sponsored by
The award celebrates the best of the county’s many not-for-profit organisations that make a contribution to the community around them. Recognising the excellent performance of the public sector, not-for-profit and charitable organisations in the Derbyshire area, the award will be judged on the organisations’ ability to maintain financial performance, as well as looking at the cultural influence of the business and the potential benefits it brings.
Family Business of the Year Sponsored by
This award is for established family businesses across all industry sectors that can demonstrate sustained success across a broad range of measures, whilst ensuring all family values are followed. The judges will also be looking at the aspirations of your business to demonstrate how both current and future family generations will be involved in the growth of the business.
Apprentice Employer of the Year Sponsored by
This award recognises the businesses that are providing valuable opportunities for young jobseekers in the area. Over recent years, the younger generation have struggled in the job market, and this category celebrates the employers who are supporting the youth of today. The finalists in this category will have gone above and beyond to take on a number of apprentices and provide them with the support and training needed to kick-start their careers.
Not-For-Profit-Organisation Award Sponsored by
The award celebrates the best of the county’s many not-for-profit organisations that make a contribution to the community around them. Recognising the excellent performance of the public sector, not-for-profit and charitable organisations in the Nottinghamshire area, the award will be judged on the organisations’ ability to maintain financial performance, as well as looking at the cultural influence of the business and the potential benefits it brings.
Education Sector: Business Engagement and Employability Sponsored by
An award open to all primary and secondary schools across Derbyshire who actively collaborate externally with businesses (directly and/or through a provider) in a way which gives their young students early access to the world of work, employability skills and careers support. These schools encourage their pupils to dream big and work to achieve those dreams no matter who they are or what challenges they face. Talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not and we are looking to celebrate schools that are outward facing and looking to change this through collaboration.
Best Digital Transformation Sponsored by
This category is aimed at companies who have made a transformation of business processes through digital advancements. Judges will look at how a business has transformed the way it works through the adoption of digital processes or technologies. This concerns the originality of the project or digital advancement in terms of subject and/or approach. They will consider how digital technologies and processes have helped deliver any specific projects with demonstrable benefits. This could include one or more out of design, health and safety, construction, and communication benefits.
Excellence in Manufacturing Award Sponsored by
The Excellence in Manufacturing Award celebrates the company that has upheld the manufacturing traditions of the local area, while continuing to strengthen the regional economy. All finalists will demonstrate a dedication to manufacturing excellence with emphasis placed on quality, sales performance, sustainability and investment.
Excellence in Business Growth Sponsored by
The judges are looking for established businesses who can demonstrate clear growth. You will need to show how your business has achieved growth through innovation, product development, market development or through clear sales and marketing strategies or initiatives.
The will take place on Thursday, October 21 at the Derby Arena. To enter your business and find out more information, visit the
For tickets, please contact Michelle Roberts, .