Awards Categories

Best Contribution to Sheffield Visitor Experience, sponsored by Meadowhall

Encompassing the retail, hospitality, leisure & tourism sectors. This award recognises an individual, organisation, charity, scheme, project or event that has achieved excellence in their individual sector area, as well as looking for activities that link events in the city to tourism & hospitality. This in turn should drive footfall to the city, generating jobs and economic growth.

Who should apply

Businesses within either the retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors.

The judges will be looking at:

Evidence of how the activity has had a financial impact on the city, whether this has been a specific activity or ongoing part of the business plan
Evidence of job creation – either paid or voluntary
The impact that your business has had on your clients – i.e. contributing to a healthier lifestyle, providing choice, value for money or excellent customer service
How you compete against similar establishments or other specific events

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Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants

This award recognises the significant contribution that a person can make to the success of a business. Entrants for this award can complete the entry as an individual or a company can complete the entry on behalf of an employee or a colleague.

Who should apply?

A company on behalf of a business individual or a business individual themself.

The judges will be looking at:

Evidence that the individual uses their own initiative to deliver results
Examples of dedicated leadership and achievement within the organisation
Entrepreneurial skills or the ability to work collaboratively within the business
Evidence that they have the ability to become a significant contributor to the organisation and/or the wider business community.

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Employer of the Year, sponsored by The Sheffield College

This award recognises an organisation that excel in offering the most comprehensive work environment either through the implementation of a learning and development culture, staff incentive schemes, recognition/remuneration & retention packages or health and wellbeing initiatives. Entrants for this award must communicate how this culture has contributed to the business achieving outstanding success, therefore making the organisation an employer of choice.

Who should apply?

A business within any sector.

The judges will be looking at:

Why learning and development is important to the organisation
How training needs and skills requirements are assessed
Investment, commitment and support given to staff
Staff incentive schemes

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Excellence in Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility, sponsored by Evoluted

This award recognises a business that shows innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility and responsible business practice. Entrants must demonstrate how they have tackled key social and environmental issues in their local community.

Who should apply?

A business within any sector.

The judges will be looking at:

How your policies have been developed
The issues they have helped to address
The impact that they have had on the local environment/community

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Excellence in International Trade, sponsored by Pricecheck

This award recognises the strength of Britain’s exporters and importers. Entrants for this award must stand out from the crowd on the international stage and demonstrate that they have generated significant and / or sustained increases in their international activity.

Who should apply?

A business in any sector that exports, imports or does business overseas.

The judges will be looking at:

The level of exports when compared to the size and sector of the organistion
The barriers that have been overcome i.e. languages
The degree to which products / services are new and markets non-traditional
Innovative approaches to establishing and entering new markets

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Excellence in Manufacturing, sponsored by Wake Smith

This award will be presented to the company that demonstrates a modern, efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing. Exhibiting best practice to build a sustainable operation either by the development of new manufacturing techniques, new products or capital investments.

Who should apply?

Businesses within the manufacturing sector.

The judges will be looking at:

Evidence of how your business demonstrates high standards and sustainability
An understanding of the key factors that drive product innovation in the business
Evidence of how your organisation has generated new or improved products, services and processes that successfully meet the changing needs of the customer and business.
Demonstrate investment in R&D that has generated good ROI.

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Excellence in Professional Services, sponsored by Together

Entrants will need to be able to demonstrate excellence in business management under-pinned by a strong financial performance. You should outline how you have shown excellence in your specific sector and how your business has planned for future growth.

Who should apply?

Businesses within the professional services sector.

The judges will be looking at:

The level of growth over the last three years and plans for the future
Details of how you have shown excellence in your sector (up to three additional testimonials can be submitted, in addition to your word count)
Evidence of any new or innovative services introduced over the last year.

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High Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by SIV

This award recognises a buiness that has experienced exceptional growth in sales, profit, market share, jobs or international trade. Judges will be looking for an organisation that can demonstrate the highest levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.

Who should apply?

Open to all sizes of business within any sector.

The judges will be looking at:

Significant growth and/or expansion
Innovative products, services, applications and/or operations
Financial performance
Plans for future growth and/or expansion

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Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Simm Engineering Group

Open to organisations employing over 100 full time members of staff, this award will go to the company that has achieved consistent growth backed by a strong financial performance.

Who should apply?

A business in any sector that employs more than 100 full time equivalent staff.

The judges will be looking at:

What differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors.
Strong managerial and financial performance.
Potential for growth.
How the business ensures high service standards and delivers exceptional customer care to drive new and repeat business.
Evidence of the wider contribution that they have made to Sheffield’s economy and communities through wealth, job creation and also through corporate, social and environmental responsibilities.

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Outstanding Business of the Year, sponsored by City Taxis

This exceptional award recognises a business able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and vision, successful performance against business planning, forward plans for substantial growth and be an inspiration to other businesses.

Who should apply?

Please be aware this category is not open for applications. All shortlisted companies will be automatically entered into this award.

The judges will be looking at:

An award winner that stands out from the crowd in innovation, diversity, growth, customer service, investment in people and strategic thinking.

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SME of the Year, sponsored by Sheffield Business School

Open to organisations employing up to 100 full time members of staff and not exceeding a £50 million annual turnover. This award will go to the company that has achieved consistent growth backed by a strong financial performance, while demonstrating a clear understanding of the markets that it operates in.

Who should apply?

A business in any sector that employs no more than 100 full time equivalent staff.

The judges will be looking at:

What differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors
Strong managerial and financial performance
Innovation
Potential for growth
Evidence of the businesses commitment to staff

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Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Vine Hotels

This award is open to any business, individual, charity, scheme or project that has significantly contributed to the Sheffield economy.

Who should apply?

A company on behalf of a business, individual, charity, scheme or project or a business individual themself.

The judges will be looking at those who have:

Made a significant impact in the region in terms of local economy/community/business.
Displayed commitment to activities or demonstrated outstanding skill or effort above and beyond his or her prescribed duties and workload
Recognises one whose life, work, career and contributions exemplify the highest standards of service
Honours a company, charity, scheme, person or persons who, over the course of a decade or more, has exemplified outstanding, significant professional achievement

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The Innovation Award, sponsored by Lupton Fawcett

This award is designed to recognise a product or service establishing importance in the marketplace, capturing the interest of the city and really putting Sheffield ‘on the map’. The product or service will not only address a need but also seize an opportunity and create a new market or industry.

Who should apply?

A business within any sector.

The judges will be looking at:

How the business opportunity was identified, progressed and developed showing a clear commercial understanding of product, market and competitors.
Evidence of how the importance of the product or service has been established and has been brought (or will be brought) to the forefront of current interest in the Sheffield City Region.

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The Marketing and Communications Award, sponsored by Insight

This award recognises a business that has demonstrated innovative marketing and communication campaigns which have significantly contributed to their business success and growth, including financial performance.

Who should apply?

A business within any sector.

The judges will be looking at:

Evidence of how brand awareness has increased
Mechanisms in place to convert activities into commercial sales
How communications have contributed to business success and growth, including financial performance
The range of technology used in conducting day to day business
The use of information and communication technologies to improve customer service and engagement

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The Sheffield Universities Entrepreneurship Award

Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield work to support current students and graduates to launch their own start-up companies. Both Universities will select their top entries (a maximum of 3 each) to put forward to this award category for consideration by the judges.

Who should apply?

Please be aware this category is not open for applications. Applications are strictly put forward by both The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

The judges will be looking at:

Evidence of a proven customer problem or need and the market fit of the business solution.
Evidence or clarity of vision for sustainable, profitable development of the business.
The vision for developing and growing the business in terms of both turnover and employment.

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