Now in its 25th year, the awards will honour the region's premier companies, as well as the people who make the Cambridge business scene one of the most vibrant in the country. This year's winners will be announced at a gala ceremony taking place in the Great Hall at King's College on Thursday, March 22.
Categories cover a wide range of areas, and winning firms will join the likes of chip design giant Arm and Bluetooth pioneer CSR, both of which picked up prizes in the awards before going on to international fame and being involved in multi-billion pound take-overs by SoftBank and Qualcomm respectively. Among individuals honoured in the past are Cambridge Satchel Company founder Julie Deane, Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton, and Amanda Staveley, who made her name in Cambridge and has recently hit the headlines again thanks to her involvement in a take-over bid for Premier League football club Newcastle United.
Details of all the categories and sponsors can be found below. To enter, visit cambridge-news.co.uk/business/business-awards 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.
BARCLAYS AWARD FOR LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
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.
HEWITSONS AWARD FOR BUSINESS INNOVATION
Which company’s initiative in terms of innovation research and development has most impressed you during 2017?
CAMBRIDGE JUDGE HIGH GROWTH AWARD
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
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.
BIOMED REALTY TRUST AWARD FOR BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
To be decided by a distinguished judging panel.
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 a distinguished panel of judges.
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.