Culminating in an opulent awards dinner at King’s College on Thursday, March 23, the awards were launched at a reception held at The Gonville Hotel. Guests heard from News MD Richard Duxbury, and had the chance to network in the hotel’s recently refurbished bar.
Winning one of these awards has proved hugely beneficial for previous nominees, who have gone on to make the most of their title, not least in attracting new talent to join their staff.
Judging will take place at The Møller Centre and as partners of the awards, the centre, at Churchill College, is inviting all finalists to an exclusive symposium entitled “Innovation for Excellence – leading a culture of innovation.”
The symposium will be held at the centre on the morning of Friday, July 7, and the outputs will form an in-depth report that will be published in the News. The finalists will get an introduction to how leaders can influence and develop a culture of innovation in their organisations, and hear about the latest research on how to systematically address the challenges of turning ideas into commercially valuable propositions.
They will also have an opportunity to gain an overview of how to engage their teams with the Design Thinking methodology to innovate new products and services, and to discuss and share their key challenges and insights around innovation with other finalists.
To enter the awards, simply take a look at all the categories below and decide which you would like to enter or nominate another business or individual.
The Categories
HEWITSONS AWARD FOR BUSINESS INNOVATION
Which company’s initiative in terms of innovation research and development has most impressed you during 2016?
FINE & COUNTRY AWARD FOR 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.
MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
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.
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.
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.
BIOMED REALTY TRUST AWARD FOR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Which business person in the region has impressed you most as an individual over the past year at any level?
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.
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
MEDIMMUNE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
The winner of this award is decided by our distinguished panel of judges.
CAMBRIDGE BID AWARD FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Which of the many wonderful independent retailers in Cambridge has particularly stood out over the past year?
Judging partner, The Møller Centre
The Møller Centre is a dedicated, purpose-designed, residential leadership development and conference centre set in the beautiful grounds of Churchill College, in the University of Cambridge.
Our inspiration comes from the connection between two great leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and Danish shipping magnate Maersk McKinney Møller, whose vision and benefaction in 1992 has created our unique ‘Centre for Excellence’, which for the past 25 years has brought together business and academia. Our profits are covenanted back to Churchill College for investment in undergraduate and graduate education and student support.
Deadline for entry is 5.30pm Monday 23rd January
Visit this page and scroll down to find links to entry forms for each of the awards.
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For more information please contact Karen Ball on 01223 434397 (karen.ball@cambridge-news.co.uk)
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