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Sponsored by Suffolk Business Board

The Small Business of the year (up to £1m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.   

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Clear and defined strategy for growth 

4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

5. Innovation of product / service

Sponsored by Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers

The Medium Business of the Year  (£1-5m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.  

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Clear and defined strategy for growth 

4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

5. Innovation of product / service

Sponsored by Larking Gowen

The Large Business of the year (over £5m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.   

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Clear and defined strategy for growth 

4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

5. Innovation of product / service

Sponsored by Greater Anglia 

Judges will be looking for a business which shows a clear focus and understanding of their customer’s needs. Evidence should be provided of customer driven initiatives designed to raise service standards and increased customer satisfaction. The winner of this award will be a business that is able to demonstrate how they exemplify outstanding customer service, consistently delivered at the highest level, by a customer focused individual or team.  

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Customer-focused alignment of defined values and mission

2. Customer satisfaction rate and effective feedback loop

3. Customer driven initiatives and procedures

4. Training for employees and service improvement  

5. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

Sponsored by Churchmanor Estates

Businessperson of the Year is open to entrants of all levels within the business community. The winner may be a business leader who has worked in the industry for many years or an entrepreneur who is accelerating their career with speed. The judges will be looking for evidence of individuals that have implemented plans that ultimately achieve business growth. 

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Contribution to business strategy and growth 

2. Defined values and mission

3. Evidenced financial growth and investment

4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

5. Demonstrated resilience through challenges

Sponsored by Ashtons Legal

This award recognises the evolution of employee engagement and its impact on the workplace. It looks to showcase organisations that have evolved a culture and ethos that is people centric. The judges are looking for evidence in three areas of recognition, innovation, and progressive people strategies.

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Culture, employee engagement and wellbeing

4. Reward and Recognition programmes 

5. Training and development opportunities 

A business that is able to demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint through innovative and sustainable practices that is always learning and sharing their experiences of this process with others to push the move to a green economy.  The judges are looking for businesses that have demonstrated how they have enhanced their environmental performance across their operations and promoted the importance of greener business models over the last 18 months and their future plans in sustainability.  

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear and defined strategy for environment and sustainable practices  

2. Commitment within company values and mission

3. Communication and engagement through employees, supply chain, stakeholders 

4. Clear methods for tracking and reporting the environmental impact 

5. Use of green initiatives and grants

Sponsored By Vertas

Entries in this category must have achieved a minimum of 20% year on year financial growth (turnover) for the last three years. As well as this we are also looking for growth in market share as well as a business that has evidence of a growth in customers and/or employees.   

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Evidenced financial growth and investment

4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

5. Specific Innovation of product / service

In an everchanging world, we come across challenges in business that push companies to innovate and adapt their business for the good of the wider community. Have you changed the products or services you are producing to benefit a crisis or are lending your team to assist elsewhere? Our judges will not only be looking at how you plan to create a positive impact, but what you are currently doing or have done in the last 6 months to put this in place. 

Entry evidence required – each point 20%. 

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Focus on the Local Community – Enrichment, Volunteering, Investment.  

3. Defined Values and Mission 

4. Long-term impact and Vision strategy

5. Contribution to the wider business community

Sponsored by Chassis Cab

The winner of this award will be a business that has shown clear financial activity which translates into inward investment and/or increased turnover and/or acceleration to profit stage. The business must be less than three years old at the point of application closing and demonstrate a clear purpose for the business.  

Entry evidence required – each point 20%.  

1. Clear understanding of the business’s core strengths and how they drive success

2. Defined values and mission

3. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership

4. Evidenced forecasted financial growth and investment

5. Specific Innovation of product / service