Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards categories
Nominations closed!
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Jarrolds Training
This award recognises employers of all sizes, who have demonstrated a real commitment to the welfare of their employees, providing a supportive and inspiring work environment. Diversity and inclusivity should be core to the business, ensuring the right conditions for workers from all backgrounds to thrive and succeed.
Judges are looking for a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- a reactive leadership and management team
- a stimulating and supportive workplace
- initiatives in place to benefit employees
- initiatives to develop, train and upskill staff
- health and wellbeing support
- recognising exceptional performance(s)
Environmental Impact
Sponsored by Citrus Security Shredding
This award is open to any business that is committed to playing an active role in either environmental innovation, reducing its impact, or embedding sustainability at its core.
Judges will look for businesses that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the organisation and/or the products and services you provide
- evidence detailing the organisation's success
- development of an environmental/sustainability strategy
- what other businesses can learn from your experience
Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
Sponsored by Mirus Aircraft Seating
This key sector award celebrates those businesses that lead the way in manufacturing and/or engineering.
Judges will look for businesses that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- evidence highlighting the quality of manufacturing/engineering
- sustainable innovation in the manufacturing process
- improved efficiency or productivity generating improved financial performance
- education of/and upskilling employees
- use of the latest research including collaborations with universities or higher education institutes
Excellence in Insurance, Financial and Professional Services
Sponsored by FIG
This award recognises organisations that can clearly demonstrate an excellent level of customer or client service. It is open to any organisation that provides insurance, financial or other professional services (including any organisation that provides lending or credit facilities, legal services, investing and wealth management, accounting services, fintech, insurtech, architecture, surveying, real estate, management consultancy, advertising, and market research). Joint entries between organisations are also welcome, for example, if organisations have worked with external advisors to develop a new product or service.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- evidence of the impact of your focus: on customer service, on client success, and on satisfaction and retention levels
- how your are actively working with your clients or key stakeholder base to improve service levels
- investment in, and implementation of, new technology to improve services to clients and customers or increase productivity (for example, data-driven services, use of AI)
- how excellence in service is core to the activities of your organisation
- plans to enhance service and secure growth in the future
Business Growth
Sponsored by Hethel Innovation
Business growth, whether domestically or internationally, is the future of our economy. This award is open to businesses of all sizes, that can evidence strong, sustainable growth and provide a clear plan on how this will be maintained in the future.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- strong financial performance
- an increased number of customers and/or market share
- growth in employee numbers and/or investment in staff such as training and apprenticeships
- site development and/or investment in systems, infrastructure, plant, or machinery
- evidence of a robust business plan to support continued growth
- continued development and actively pursuing new business
Business Innovation
Sponsored by Panel Graphic
This award is open to businesses, of all sizes, that can showcase new ideas that have been adopted in their business and have had a measurable impact. This might include innovative products or services, environmental or energy savings, IT, or automation.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- evidence of how your business has used innovation, either through the development of a new product or process, to move the business forward
- explain how this has been developed and applied in the business
- how the workforce has been upskilled, involved, or encouraged to create new ideas
- demonstrate that this improved business performance is sustainable
Food and Drink Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Woodforde's Brewery
This award recognises that special business that can demonstrate success in the production of food and drink.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- ground-breaking ideas that have helped put the business on the map
- innovation in the use of raw materials
- a business that has created a new process or product
- a new approach to marketing a product or service
- evidence of a robust business plan to support continued growth
New Business
Sponsored by InTouch Systems
This award is open to new businesses, of all sizes, that have been trading for no more than 18 months from when nominations open on Monday 14 October 2024.
Judges will look to recognise a new local business that has turned an idea into a viable, sustainable business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- evidence of success - which might include turnover, profit, customer base, employees, and premises/equipment/machinery
- consistent and sustainable growth
- customer acquisition, engagement, and retention
- plans to develop the business
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Pasta Foods and Big Sky Living
This award celebrates a top-performing business in both the Broadland, and South Norfolk areas, with nine full time equivalent (FTE) employees or less.
Judges will be looking for strong financial growth and a product or service of a quality that stands out above the rest. This might include elements of the following:
- evidence of your success in business
- how your business differentiates you from the competition
- evidence of sustainable growth
- customer acquisition, engagement, and retention
- plans to develop your business
Tourism Business of the Year
Sponsored by Adnams
This award is open to businesses that are meeting and exceeding the expectations of visitors. Suitable for all businesses involved in leisure, tourism, events, and accommodation who can demonstrate how they are delivering an excellent visitor experience.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate the following:
- how the business attracts visitors
- what the business does to ensure visitors have a positive experience
- how the business measures and takes steps to improve the visitor experience
- initiatives to develop, train and upskill staff
- ambitions for the future
Broadland Pub of the Year and South Norfolk Pub of the Year - open for public nomination only
Sponsored by Pub is The Hub
This award is open for public nomination to recognise an exceptional pub in both the Broadland and South Norfolk areas. 'Pub' refers to an establishment which is licenced and whose primary business is for the sale of beer and other drinks, and sometimes also food, to be consumed on the premises.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- a variety of product offers, which can include local produce and/or local beer
- excellent customer service
- range of facilities such as a beer garden, and games room
- supporting their local community
- accessibility for all
Broadland Retailer of the Year and South Norfolk Retailer of the Year - open for public nomination only
Sponsored by Birketts LLP
This award is open for public nomination to recognise an exceptional independent retail business in both the Broadland and South Norfolk areas. 'Retailer' refers to those independent shops with less than five outlets, whose primary business is to sell a product.
Judges are looking to recognise a business that can demonstrate elements of the following:
- innovation in traditional retailing
- creating a unique retail experience
- using technology to improve service
- reducing the environmental impact
- customer acquisition, engagement, and retention
- evidence of excellent customer service