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Business Awards 2027

We are so excited for the Business Awards 2027.
For the first time we will be bringing all three counties together for one event.
This awards is going to be the biggest and best we have ever done. It's an incredible chance to share your story on the biggest stage in the region.
Culminating in an event at Vaillant Live in Derby in March.

Applications are open now until 31st October.

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Categories and sponsors

The Business Awards are designed to reflect the incredible diversity and talent across our region.

With categories that highlight everything from innovation and leadership to digital development and customer service excellence, there’s space for every kind of success story. These awards are here to recognise the difference you make every day.

A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors whose support helps us shine a light on these achievements and bring the awards to life.

Our Awards

Innovation of the year Award
This award is open to businesses who have introduced innovative new ideas, methods, products, services, or processes that have added value to its business and given it a competitive edge.
We want to hear about your businesses innovative aims to solve problems, meet customer needs more effectively, or capitalise on new opportunities to drive growth and profitability.

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Education and Business Partnership Award
This award is aimed at schools, colleges, further and higher education and training providers.
Entrants must demonstrate examples of partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills.
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Commitment to people development Award
This award recognises organisations which demonstrate a firm commitment to people development and the implementation and promotion of a learning and development culture, as well as how employee wellbeing is supported.
The judges were looking for entrants that can demonstrate how their approach to people has had an impact on their organisation.
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Digital transformation Award
This award recognises a business that has successfully implemented a specific technology project which has significantly contributed to measurable business growth, operational improvements, or return on investment (ROI).
The judges are looking for organisations who demonstrated the use of technology to improve processes, efficiencies or improve customer experience.

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CSR leadership Award
This award recognises a business that is able to demonstrate how activities have made a positive impact on specific social issues affecting their local community.
The judges will look for a process of identifying issues in communities and how these have been addressed.
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Green business of the year Award
This award is open to organisations who can demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact on the environment through greener ways of working.
The judges were looking for organisations to be able to demonstrate their thought process of their environmental impact.
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Excellence in customer service Award
This award is open to businesses who can demonstrate they deliver industry-leading standards of service.

Entrants should provide evidence on how they exceed customer expectations.
Entrants must demonstrate examples of partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills.
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Apprentice of the year Award
This award recognises the rising stars who will become the business leaders of tomorrow.
The judges were looking for a leader of tomorrow, who has taken on responsibility to shine within their organisation.
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Micro business of the year Award
This award is open to all businesses who meet the following criteria

Employ 1-10 employees

Have up to a £1m turnover

This award is fully inclusive for all sectors, including charities, social enterprises, and community interest companies.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate current activity to grow market share and the positive effect this is having on business performance.
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Small business of the year Award
This award is open to all businesses who meet the following criteria

Employs 11 – 50 employees

Has a turnover of above £1m

This award is fully inclusive for all sectors, including charities, social enterprises, and community interest companies.
The judges were looking for entrants who want to shout about their successes. They can showcase how the organisation is growing.

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Collaboration of the year Award
Collaboration is what drives success. In this category we want to hear about where two or more separate organisations have collaborated on a project with successful outcomes for those involved.
Entrants demonstrated the specific benefits and improvements that the collaboration has provided.
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Exporter of the Year
This award is aimed at organisations that trade internationally and have shown excellence in creating strategies to expand their international activity.
Your international trade market and sales

Planning, preparation and challenges

Adaptations made for specific markets

Growth strategies for further international trade

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Outstanding Achievement Awards

This year we have three new categories.
An entrant from Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire will be chosen and celebrated for their amazing work.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards recognises businesses that are performing at the very highest level within their sector. It celebrates organisations that go beyond strong results to demonstrate exceptional and measurable impact.
Businesses must evidence sustained success, clear differentiation and a commitment to excellence that sets them apart from their peers.
These awards are only to organisations that have entered at least one other award.

Derbyshire Outstanding Achievement Award
This award is only open to organisations from Derbyshire, who have applied for another award.
Applications should show not only what has been achieved but why those achievements represent standout performance in today’s competitive landscape.
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Leicestershire Outstanding Achievement Award
This award is only open to organisations from Leicestershire, who have applied for another award.
Applications should show not only what has been achieved but why those achievements represent standout performance in today’s competitive landscape.

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Nottinghamshire Outstanding Achievement Award
This award is only open to organisations from Nottinghamshire, who have applied for another award.
Applications should show not only what has been achieved but why those achievements represent standout performance in today’s competitive landscape.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Becoming an awards partner is a great way to raise your profile and align your brand to our activities.

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