MORE businesses are being urged to enter this year’s Bradford Means Business Awards before the deadline next month.
The annual awards recognising the brightest and best companies and individuals Bradford business has to offer is now entering its ninth year.
People are being urged to subject their entries for businesses, staff members, apprentices or entrepreneurs who have gone above and beyond, been shining beacons and inspirational to their colleagues, or who have had a stunning year in business before time runs out.
The awards, one of the biggest nights in Bradford’s business sector, gives the district’s best the recognition they deserve, and celebrates all the wonderful achievements Bradfordians have achieved in the past 12 months.
Businesses will be looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winners, who had inspiration stories aplenty about their success last year.
The big winner on the night was Gordon Rhodes & Son, which bounced back from a huge fire at its factory in impressive fashion, and picked up the Winner of Winners prize and named best manufacturer against stiff competition.
Apprentice of the Year is another category expected to be popular, given Bradford’s young population and the number of success stories we have run over the past 12 months about the city’s apprentices.
Last year’s winner was Toby Crawshaw, who excelled in his apprenticeship at chemical firm BASF.
Bradford’s countless entrepreneurs are also being urged to throw their hats in the ring for recognition this year.
Last year’s winner was Gemma Andrews, who co-founded the hugely successful Superfood Market.
Work outside business – supporting the community where the firm is based – is also being recognised, whether that be through charitable foundations, staff volunteering in the community, donations to those in need or work with schools.
This side of business is often one of the most beneficial for staff and local people, and if you have done something great in the past 12 months we want to hear about it.
This year there have been changes to the awards categories, with new categories replacing former ones, making the awards more representative of Bradford’s business landscape.
The new categories are Business Entrepreneur of the Year, the Customer Service Excellence Award, the Contribution to the Community Award and the Family Business of the Year.
They replace the Woman in Business Award, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Retail and Hospitality Business of the Year, and Business Personality of the Year categories, which have been removed from this year’s awards.
This year’s awards will also take place – for the first time – at a glitzy black tie ceremony in a marquee, which will be located in the heart of the city centre in City Park, with a backdrop of the Mirror Pool and City Hall.
To make a nomination, visit thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/business/business_awards/nominate/ by April 12.
