The Bradford Means Business Awards 2023 features 11 categories designed to recognise key aspects of business in the region.
We have changed a few of the categories this year to reflect key aspirations in the district.
We have included the Business in the Community award to celebrate the business that makes a positive impact in their local community, and the Excellence in Education & Training award which celebrates companies who give their staff the tools to succeed.
The final award will celebrate what the judges believe is the crème of the winners. This company will be crowned Best Business of the Year, surely an accolade we would all cherish.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION & TRAINING AWARD
Sponsored by Bradford College
This award recognises three critical Bradford Industries, Health, Engineering and Construction who place importance on learning and development of its people. We are looking for entries from employers in these three industries only, that can demonstrate how training and development through either apprenticeships, third party providers or bespoke internal company learning has given their staff the skills they require to succeed. Judges will be looking for evidence of how learning and training is used to develop its workforce.
BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD
Sponsored by brsk
This award is open to any organisation irrespective of size or sector that can demonstrate its commitment to the community. The organisation must show evidence of the schemes, initiatives and policies which have a positive impact on the community. Judges will be looking for clear evidence of where the organisation, its staff or customers are involved in the community to deliver positive change.
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Bradford 2025
Apprenticeships are an increasingly important way of attracting new talent and providing training for the future. We know there have been some fantastic successes locally and this award recognises an employer’s best apprentice who has successfully come through their apprenticeship programme. The finalists in this category will have gone above and beyond as part of their apprenticeship for an employer that has offered the support and training needed to kick-start their careers.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Christeyns
This award honours the region’s top employers. These companies will have demonstrated strong investment in their employees as well having a reward scheme and other key employee benefits. Companies must be able to demonstrate that the safety and security of their employees is of the utmost importance and will be paying the living wage. It’s time to be rewarded and be recognised as one of the best places to work in the area!
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Broadway Bradford
This award is for established family businesses across all industry sectors that can demonstrate sustained success across a broad range of measures, whilst ensuring all family values are followed. The judges will also be looking at the aspirations of the business to demonstrate how both current and future family generations will be involved in the growth of the business.
INNOVATION AWARD
Sponsored by Schofield Sweeney
We want to celebrate individuals, teams, businesses, or a public sector body that is leading the way in research and development in either manufacturing techniques, software development or digital technologies. You should be creating new revenue streams, or saving costs, improving efficiency and maybe even your green credentials. Whether is a fully fledged idea or you are still working through the prototype/design stage, judges want to see evidence of new innovation and the impact showcasing your ability to think out of the box and innovate.
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Thorite
Manufacturing creates economic growth and is the engine that drives the districts economy. Manufacturers like you contribute to the vibrancy of our communities through good business practices, innovative processes, and productivity enhancements. This award celebrates the successes of manufacturers in the district. The Judges will be looking for excellence in their field, ability to succeed, growth and best practice.
SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by BHP
The award is open to companies in the region which normally employ no more than 75 full-time staff whilst demonstrating a strong financial performance. Recognising a business that has shown marked success over the year, this award celebrates companies that are integral to the economy. Judges will consider current trading performance, the prospective growth and development opportunities for the future of the business.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Sponsored by Solenis
As the UK economy moves towards zero emissions and Bradford’s commitment to be a city of clean growth, we are looking for a local Bradford District firm that best demonstrates its commitment to the environment. Are you actively cutting emissions to zero or even capturing emissions? Are you altering your supply chain to best serve the environment? Are you modifying your products and services to reduce carbon? We want to recognise business that is committed to demonstrate their drive to a sustainable future.
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Joseph Parr
This award is open to companies in the region that have set up in 2022 and can demonstrate imagination, sound planning and exceptional marketing delivery. This coveted award recognises the region’s brightest new businesses and the contribution they make to the region in the future. Judges will be tasked with analysing business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years.
SOCIAL MOBILITY AWARD
Sponsored by 24hr Healthcare
This award will recognise the effective investment of resources that businesses have made to address issues which prevent or limit social mobility. Social mobility is key to ensuring our local communities thrive through the ability to access opportunity and overcome barriers to social inclusion. Finalists will be those businesses who can demonstrate how they have sought to understand factors which impact social mobility in our District and have then worked effectively (often in partnership with voluntary organisations) to address these issues and support the provision of relevant services.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Blacks Solicitors
The Business of the year is selected from the previous 10 winners. The Judges will be looking for the business that has already won their category but stands out as Bradford’s business of the year.
