Enter the Cambridge Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2022
It’s time to enter the Cambridge Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards for 2022.
The awards, which are in their fifth year, celebrate the achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises - of up to 250 employees - across the whole of Cambridgeshire.
You can enter up to three different categories from the 21 on offer, which range from Best New Business to Business Person of the Year.
Editor Paul Brackley said: “These awards are a wonderful opportunity for businesses and organisations to earn a valuable endorsement of their work.
“They afford confidence to your customers and represent a welcome accolade for employees, so don’t miss your chance to enter.”
Entry is free via the dedicated website at cambridgeshireawards.co.uk, where you will find full details and entry rules.
The black tie awards dinner is returning to its autumn spot, taking place this time on Thursday, October 13.
Returning as our headline sponsor is Cambridge law firm Barr Ellison, which sponsors Property Industry Business of the Year, recognising a business providing an outstanding service for customers and the community.
Also sponsoring the awards this year are Barons BMW Cambridge, Growth Works, HCR Hewitsons, Ilux, Mattioli Woods and Milton Hall.
You can read about last year’s winners here.
Our judging panel this year includes:
- Kelly Peck, property partner at Barr Ellison
- James Tilbury, CEO of ILUX
- Stephen Goddard, senior growth advisor at Growth Works
- Bev Hurley, CEO of Growth Works
- Mark Denley, director and chartered financial planner at Gibbs Denley
- Graeme Howell, employee benefits consultant at Mattioli Woods
- Ricky Allan, chief revenue officer at Cambridge Independent publisher Iliffe Media
- Tony Murdock, CEO of TR Global Group
Our sponsors
The categories
Property Industry Business of the Year
Cambridgeshire’s property industry is buzzing and this new award, supported by Cambridge law firm Barr Ellison, our headline sponsor, will recognise a business providing an outstanding service for customers and the community.
Lockdown Leader
Being a leader of people and an organisation is a difficult task at any time but steering a ship through a COVID storm requires someone to take charge, make decisions and provide clear direction. This award will go to someone who has kept his/her team motivated and informed despite everyone working from home.
Business Chameleon
Chameleons are known for how they adapt to their environment and this year has seen more business chameleons than ever before. Have you had to adapt to changes due to the Coronavirus outbreak? Have you diversified to offer new products and services? Perhaps you have changed your business model or taken your business online.
Best Enterprising Business
Winners in this category won’t be standing still and doing the same old things, they’ll be moving and shaking, leading in their markets. In terms of this category, enterprise can be defined as showing initiative and willingness to undertake new projects.
Best New Business
You’ve come into business in the last 2 years (start date on or after the 1st January 2019) with a bang and are really getting noticed for what you do. Tell us what makes you the best of a great new crop.
Business Innovation
Innovation in your business means doing something new, different, smarter or better that will make a positive difference. Innovation therefore ranges from implementing a time-saving office procedure to a brand new product.
Business of the Year less than 50 Employees
This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Business of the Year more than 50 Employees
This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Business Person of the Year
This award will go to a business person or entrepreneur who shows outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Business Woman of the Year
This award will be presented to the best female owned business or female who has had a positive impact on a business. They will show how they have exceptional drive to succeed. How have you been integral to making the business or businesses a success.
Community Business of the Year
This category celebrates both Community Businesses and Not for Profit Organisations. What these businesses have in common is that their focus is on positively benefitting society. All profit from a community business is reinvested in the local area and all profit from a charitable organisation goes to fulfilling their objectives.
Employer of the Year
Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your people so they take care of your business.
Family Business of the Year
The winners of Family Business of the Year will be combining their passion in business with their shared family values. Your business may have been passed down to you or you have started a business to pass on to your children in the future.
High Growth Business of the Year
High growth firms are referred to as ‘gazelles’ for the way they are racing ahead, contributing massively to employment growth. Our judges want to know about your achievements and plans for even more success.
Positive Impact Award
In an ever-changing 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.
Service Excellence
The winner of this category will give outstanding assistance and advice to those who buy or use the business or organisation’s products or services. They will be able to provide customer testimonials to back up their submission.
Sustainability Award
Being sustainable in business terms means reducing or removing the harmful impact that products and/or services have on the environment.
Website of the Year
Irrespective of your size, your website says it all. It should look great, be really easy to navigate, showcase whatever it is you do but most importantly, it should engage the viewer and keep them on your site for as long as you need them.
Young Business Person of the Year
For business people aged 30 or less (by 1st January 2021) who have demonstrated a high degree of entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future. The judges will be looking to identify an individual who has set up a business or has had a significant influence in the business, that has set and achieved objectives within its business plans and established a position of sustainable profitability and success. In addition to this judges will want to see an understanding of the relationship between your own development and the success of the business.
Best Customer Service – Public Vote
Customer service is an ongoing process. The winning business will ensure it exceeds customers expectations before, during, and after any sale, building long-term customer relationships and providing a service that is consistently outstanding.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
This award recognises businesses prioritising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and demonstrating a commitment to change.
Enter now at cambridgeshireawards.co.uk.
Read more
Winners of the Cambridge Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards 2021 revealed
