BMB Awards Nominations are open!

BMB Awards Nominations are open!

Closing date for nominations: Wed June 30, 2021



MAKE YOUR NOMINATION HERE



The Bradford Means Business Awards aim to celebrate success, recognise achievement and highlight the innovative people and companies throughout the Bradford district who are putting their region on the map by boosting the economy while making a positive contribution to the local community.

We believe that the passion, determination, tireless energy and skill that goes into running a top-performing company all deserve recognition and our 10 award categories are designed to celebrate businesses from across a range of sectors.

Nominations are now open in the following categories:

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. For all finalists, judges will consider current trading performance and the prospective growth and development opportunities for the future of the business.

Employer of the Year sponsored by Solenis

This award honours the region’s top employers. These companies will have demonstrated strong investment in their employees as well as 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 recognised as one of the best places to work in the area.

New Business of the Year sponsored by Bradford BID

This award is open to companies in the region that have set up in 2021 and can demonstrate imagination, sound planning and exceptional marketing delivery. This coveted award recognises the region’s brightest new businesses and the contribution they will 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.

Sustainability Award sponsored by Excelledia

This new award has been developed to recognise those that have done the most to improve overall environmental performance and enhance sustainability. Sustainable businesses are so important in today’s environment and this category rewards those who are making strides to become more sustainable year on year. Entrants will be asked to describe their policies around sustainability and CSR as well as demonstrate how they handle certain productions. Judges will focus on businesses that have used sustainability to improve performance and have shown investments within their product/service to make themselves more sustainable and environmentally friendly as a company.

Social Mobility Award sponsored by Exa Networks

This award recognises the hard and continued work of the district’s businesses, social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. Those individuals or organisations that go beyond the norm and achieve the highest standards for communities, organisations, schools and businesses. Those who provide access for employees and people in the district to new opportunities and growth whilst using the district’s diversity to champion our changing economy. 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. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the business has made an impact through their activities using its own resources, either financial or non-financial. Examples of programmes that may be considered for this award include those focusing on education (all ages), employability, mental health and homelessness, although this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Bradford College

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.

Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Christeyns

Manufacturing apprentices are key to the district’s success. Manufacturing weeks have highlighted the need for such roles and this award recognises apprentices who have chosen manufacturing as a careeer and have successfully come through their company’s apprenticeship programme. Open to entries from those who work in the manufacturing sector only.

Manufacturer of the Year sponsored by Thorite

Manufacturing creates economic growth and is the engine that drives the district’s economy. Manufacturers 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. Judges will be looking for excellence in their field, ability to succeed, growth and best practice.

Family Business of the Year sponsored by Packetts

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 your business to demonstrate how both current and future family generations will be involved in the growth of the business.

Tech Company of the Year sponsored by University of Bradford

Tech companies are, of course, noted for their technological achievements but our Tech Company of the Year will have harnessed those achievements and produced excellent development in the area of tech and seen business growth during the past 18 months. The judges will be looking for how the company has developed, excelled in this area, grown their business and created new and sustainable tech in the district.

Winner of Winners sponsored by The Broadway

Are you the best of the best? On the evening of the awards the judges, fellow nominees and specially invited guests will choose the winner of winners from the 10 categories above. The company or individual with the best overall contribution to business in Bradford will be chosen as our winner.