One of the highlights of the Cambridge business calendar, the awards recognise the region’s best business talent. This year also marks 25 years of the hugely popular awards ceremony, which celebrates businesses of all shapes and sizes across the region.
Past winners have gone on to national and international success, and have used their title to help raise their profile and attract new staff.
The awards launched yesterday (Thursday, November 16) at a reception held at the Bradfield Centre, the new co-working centre at Cambridge Science Park. Winners will be revealed at a gala dinner, to be held in the Great Hall at King’s College Thursday, March 22.
Details of all the categories and sponsors can be found below. To enter, please visit www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/business-awards to check out the categories and fill in the form(s) for the awards you'd like to be considered for.
The closing date for nominations is Monday, January 22.
THE CATEGORIES:
HEWITSONS AWARD FOR BUSINESS INNOVATION
Which company’s initiative in terms of innovation research and development has most impressed you during 2017?
BARCLAYS AWARD FOR LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
We are looking for businesses that are achieving sustainable growth in turnover of £26m and over, with profit, and can demonstrate their increased market strength. They may be achieving this through adaptability, quality of management, or diversification into new markets.
CAMBRIDGE JUDGE HIGH GROWTH AWARD
We are looking for businesses that are achieving sustainable growth in turnover of £5m-£25m with profit, and can demonstrate their increased market strength. They may be achieving this through adaptability, quality of management, or diversification into new markets.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
We are looking for businesses that are achieving sustainable growth in turnover of up to £5m, with profit, and can demonstrate their increased market strength. They may be achieving this through adaptability, quality of management, or diversification into new markets.
PURE AWARD FOR EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
The best employer category is looking for a locally based organisation that successfully inspires, motivates, develops and rewards its staff, encouraging employees to work together to achieve the organisations objectives within is a positive working environment.
ALLIA AWARD FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Which initiative has delivered or will deliver the most impressive impact on society in terms of social, environmental and economic impact. The initiative could be operating at a local, national or international level but must demonstrate significant ability or potential to make a transformational difference.
This initiative could be delivering social impact in terms of:
- the audience it reaches
- a ground-breaking innovation
- demonstrating quality
- building awareness of an issue that affects society
CAMBRIDGE BID AWARD FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
This category is open to all Independent retailers, including jewellers, coffee shops, bars, restaurants and hair and beauty businesses and it will allow this important sector to be showcased and give these successful businesses in the city the chance to win this prestigious award.
PRICE BAILEY AWARD FOR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award will be decided by the judges as the “best of the best” from the winners of the awards.
BIOMED REALTY TRUST AWARD FOR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
To be decided by our distinguished judging panel.
MEDIMMUNE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
The winner of this award is decided by our distinguished panel of judges.