2022 Categories
Accountancy Software Provider of the Year
This category will recognise the accountancy software provider that best suits the needs of SMEs, with the judges considering level of innovation, impressive customer care, value for money, and a product that best assists small companies with managing their finances
Accounts and Tax Adviser of the Year
This award recognises an accountancy firm that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients.
Black, Asian, Ethnic Minority Business of the Year
This award recognises Black, Asian and Ethic Minority owned SMEs that have demonstrated a high degree of excellence, innovation, leadership and people first values. In their submission, nominees should not only demonstrate outstanding business achievements over the last 2-years, but also give examples on how they have set themselves up for future success through the transformation of the organisational makeup and culture or its client base.
Business Bank Account Provider of the Year
This award recognises a banking provider that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients.
Business Lender of the Year
This award recognises a lender that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients. This category is open to traditional bank lending institutions, digital or challenger banking groups or alternative finance lenders.
DEI Initiative of the Year
This award will be presented to a project or initiative that has had demonstrable success in improving the recruitment, onboarding, development and/or progression of underrepresented talent. This could include internships, training initiative, new company policies or recruitment process. Judges will assess commitment to the cause, the tangible impact on employees and the company, and the evidence-based results of the initiative. Submissions should include the name of the initiative or project.
Entrepreneur of the Year
This category is open to all entrepreneurs over 30 in 2022. Judges will be looking for a candidate that has demonstrated excellent growth in the last 2-years, with a coherent and sustainable strategy in achieving it. Judges will look at demonstrations of growth (turnover, profit, employees etc.), standout achievements and customer testimonials. Judges citations:
Exit of the Year
This award recognises a small business where the founder/s has partially or fully exited in the last two years. This award is open to either the business owners and/or the external private equity/growth capital investor which has supported the business. Judges will be looking for evidence of the ‘success’ of the exit in terms of growth in revenue, profitability and employment created by the business or the IRR achieved by the external investor and the role it played in achieving that exit for its investor base.
Exporter of the Year
This award recognises exporter businesses that have faced adversity through both Brexit and the pandemic. Judges are looking for evidence of how the business pivoted/transformed, supported staff and clients, and continued to be profitable. Please also include the lessons learned and how these have helped pave the way for a prosperous future.
Insurance Provider of the Year
This award recognises an insurance provider that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients. This award is open to insurers that provide cover for the business in some format and/or the individuals running that business in the form of key people.
Growth Capital Investor of the Year
This award recognises the investor (fund manager, Venture Capital, Private Equity or EIS/VCT manager) that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients.
Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year
This award will be presented to a project or initiative that has had demonstrable success in improving the health and wellbeing of all its employees. This could include flexible policies, company benefits, innovative and inclusive team building/bonding initiatives, etc. Judges will assess commitment to the cause, impact on the employees and the company, and ultimate results of the initiative. Submissions should include the name of the initiative or project.
Micro Business of the Year
This award recognises micro businesses that were established pre-pandemic and are still active today. Judges are looking for evidence of how the business pivoted/transformed, supported staff and clients, and continued to be profitable. Please also include the lessons learned and how these have helped pave the way for a prosperous future.
Most Innovative Business Idea of the Year
This award recognises a product/service or company that has demonstrated outstanding innovation, customer wins and deployments in the last 2-years. Judges are looking for creative products/services/companies that have identified a gap in their markets and have delivered successfully. Please include examples of ROI achieved, success in challenging implementations, post-sales support and service, and tailored customisations in specific enterprise environments.
Next Generation Entrepreneur of the Year
An entrepreneur under the age of 30, or who turns 30 in 2022, that has established and shown exceptional growth in their business sector. Submissions must include examples of leadership, innovate product and/or services ideas, financial success and how they are excelling in their industry.
Retailer of the Year
This award recognises high street and online retailers that have demonstrated a high degree of excellence, innovation, leadership and people first values. In their submission, nominees should not only demonstrate outstanding business achievements over the last 2-years, but also give examples of how they navigated the online pivot or journey and how they have set themselves up for future success through the transformation of the organisational makeup and culture or its client base.
SME Marketing Agency of the Year
This award recognises a marketing agency that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients.
Small Business of the Year
This award recognises all SMEs that have demonstrated a high degree of excellence, innovation, leadership and people first values. In their submission, nominees should not only demonstrate outstanding business achievements over the last 2-years, but also give examples on how they have set themselves up for future success through the transformation of the organisational makeup and culture or its client base through the inclusion of all people.
Social Mobility Project of the Year
This award will be presented to the individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to addressing social-economic inequalities. The award recognises projects/initiatives that encourage social mobility and sustainable community involvement from all backgrounds.
Start-up of the Year
This award recognises businesses that took a chance and launched in the midst of the pandemic (in the last 2-years). Judges are looking for businesses that are prospering forward despite the tremendous adversity brought about by COVID-19. In your submission, please share your business idea, the opportunities and challenges, and your measures of success.
Sustainable Business Award of the Year
This award honours SMEs that demonstrate genuine and tangible efforts to improve the lives of others and the world around us. This is open to businesses who are operating in the sustainability sector or have made significant changes to their business to support others and the environment. It recognises corporate social responsibility, charity work or green and sustainability initiatives that are driven or implemented. Entries will be judged on their effectiveness, innovation and overall commitment to doing good. Entrants should reference how their efforts link to the UN Sustainability Goals, and which SDGs in particular.
Technology Provider of the Year
This award recognises a technology provider that has gone above and beyond to support SMEs to the highest degree. Judges will be looking for organisational growth and development over the last 2-years, and examples of a diverse customer portfolio, customer testimonials and their measure of success. Please include in your submission evidence of challenges faced and overcome by the company and with clients. This award to open to any business providing a technology solution to SMEs including point of sale, e-commerce, cloud computing, cyber security or CRM.
Women Led Business of the Year
This award recognises SMEs founded by women that have demonstrated a high degree of excellence, innovation, leadership and people first values. In their submission, nominees should not only demonstrate outstanding business achievements over the last 2-years, but also give examples on how they have set themselves up for future success through the transformation of the organisational makeup and culture or its client base.