CELEBRATING SUCCESS & SHOWCASING INNOVATION
Awards Sponsored By
Welcome to the south wales argus business awards 2023, IN ASSOCIATION WITH the university of south wales
Together we will continue to shine a light and to honour all those businesses who have contributed to serving the local communities.
We want to celebrate all those local and regional businesses and business owners.
We want to share their stories and create a permanent record of all of those achievements and showcase their business.
Gavin Thompson
Regional Editor of the South Wales Argus
Why not take a look at A PREVIOUS YEAR’S VIRTUAL AWARDS
Awards video
Sponsorship available in 2023
Raise your profile by sponsoring our awards in 2023
Cathy Parsons
Head of Events
If you would like more information on the opportunities available, please contact myself on 07977 967777 / 01633 777126 or catherine.parsons@localiq.co.uk
AWARD Categories & SPONSORS
AWARD ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN VIA THE LINK BELOW
Business Person of the Year
This award will go to a person who has made a significant personal contribution to the success of the established company they run or in which they are employed. We would like to know their personal involvement in the company’s growth or expansion, its move into new products or services, or new markets along with any other pertinent contribution made by them. The judges will also wish to hear about the more personal qualities which have made them/you successful - including activities outside their business life which have relevance to the local community. Entrants should be aged 36 or over as of January 1, 2022, and be in a position directly responsible for profitability.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
This award is open to young businesspeople enjoying success in building their own business, or to employees who have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the success of a larger organisation. Either way, applicants will need to demonstrate ambition, energy, skill, and vision, as well as tangible business success. Applicants will be judged on their personal involvement in the company’s growth, expansion or stability, its move into new products, services, markets, or new areas of business activity. Entrants should be aged 35 or under as of January 1, 2022, and be in a position directly responsible for profitability.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will go to the businessperson who, in the opinion of the judges, has made a considerable, profitable, and lasting contribution to business in Gwent over a period of at least 20 years. The judges will be looking for evidence of this individual’s long-term contribution to the development of the business they are involved in and within the business community in Gwent. The winner of this category is selected by the judges.
Best Place to Work Award
This award will go to a profitable business which can demonstrate growth or maintenance over last 12 months as well as future growth potential and a positive impact on southeast Wales economy. The size and age of the business will be taken into consideration when evaluating its financial performance. The judges will be particularly interested to see evidence of innovation, for example in products, services, processes, market expansion and penetration.
Family Business of the Year
This award is open to first generation family-owned companies, multi-generational businesses, and publicly owned firms in which founding families still hold a significant stake. Applicants will be judged on how the business has increased or maintained its potential over the last financial year; the size and age of the business will be considered against its financial performance. The judges would also like to know how the business has demonstrated best practice in aspects such as working with non-family members, developing younger family members/future leaders, and implementing successful generation transitions.
Micro Business of the Year – 1-10 employees
This award will go to a profitable business which can demonstrate growth or maintenance over last 12 months as well as future growth potential and a positive impact on the Gwent economy. The size and age of the business will be taken into consideration when evaluating its financial performance. The judges will be particularly interested to see evidence of innovation, for example in products, services, processes, market expansion and penetration.
SME Business of the Year – 11 to 250 employees
This award will go to a profitable business which can demonstrate growth or maintenance over the last 12 months as well as future growth potential and a positive impact on the Southeast Wales economy. The size and age of the business will be taken into consideration when evaluating its financial performance. The judges will be particularly interested to see evidence of innovation, for example in products, services, processes, market expansion and penetration.
High Street Business of the Year
This award is looking for a strong high street business that has a proven record of contributing towards the success of their street. The business will be an active member of their community and work to drive footfall to their business and neighbouring businesses. The award will recognize both long-standing businesses and younger businesses that are doing something exceptional with their premises.
Start Up Business of the Year
This award will be given to a company which has been launched or has had a change of ownership within the past three years (we have made allowances because of the pandemic). The judges will be looking for a business which has evolved after applying a creative business idea, addressing changes in industry practices, production of innovative products or services, or the discovery of a new route to market, or a business which has had a significant change of direction or momentum following a change of control. The judges would like to see evidence of early success and achievements more than targets, together with a sound business plan that is likely to ensure continued growth and sustainability.
Diversity and Inclusivity Award
An award for an individual, team, group or network initiating and leading to removal of barriers, improvement of the working experience and engagement levels of employees and prospective employees, and creation of an environment where individuals feel a sense of belonging, can be their authentic selves, and feel they have a voice in their teams and organisation; or demonstrating excellence in the delivery of services to employees.
Customer Service Award
The award will be presented to the business which has provided the best service to the local community. This business will be seen to be regularly going ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty to ensure its customers receive excellent service. This award will be presented to the company who demonstrates excellent business acumen and high achievement in business. The judges are particularly keen to hear how it has gone the extra mile for its customers during the pandemic and how they may have had to adapt their service to ensure this happened.
Large Business of the Year
This award will go to a profitable business which can demonstrate growth or maintenance over last 12 months as well as future growth potential and a positive impact on southeast Wales economy. The size and age of the business will be taken into consideration when evaluating its financial performance. The judges will be particularly interested to see evidence of innovation, for example in products, services, processes, market expansion and penetration.
Sole Trader of the Year
This award is specifically for sole traders and celebrates the tenacity and drive it takes to go it alone. The winning sole trader will demonstrate considerable progression, a sense of contributing to their community and a sense of purpose for their future. They will demonstrate excellence in all areas of the business, being excellent multi-taskers as all sole traders are.
Marketing Campaign of the Year Nominated & Sponsored by LocaliQ
This award will go to an organisation which has communicated effectively with its target audience (internally or externally) over the past year.
The initiative may have been part of an ongoing programme or a one-off campaign. It may have used a variety of marketing channels such as media relations, public relations, and online media.
The judges will be interested in the business benefits that have resulted from these activities and how the company shows integrity and wisdom embodying the spirit of great communication.
Business of the Year
The winner of this award will be selected by the judges from the other category winners.
B2B Business of the Year
This award recognises businesses that are working within the business supply chain. Businesses that work with other businesses large and small, with particular credit to those businesses that include other small businesses in their supply chain. The award will recognise financial success in these businesses, as well as a strong history of customer engagement, relationship development and contribution to local small business eco-system.
View our gallery from PREVIOUS awards
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