Burnley’s prestigious sponsorship-funded business awards are organised by Burnley Council to reward and celebrate the entrepreneurship and achievements of our local organisations. The ceremony will take place on the 4th July 2024 at Crow Wood Hotel, due to the extensive renovation works at Towneley Hall.
Read the important information below then:
The Awards
HEADLINE SPONSOR – BURNLEY COLLEGE -a huge thank you to our headline sponsor. We’re delighted to have England’s top college on board.
Small Business Awards
Two Small Business awards are open to small businesses employing up to 10 and 11-49 employees. The judges will be looking to hear about the company and its main activities, business performance, and what makes them a success. Innovation, great marketing, and potential for future growth are all factors which will be required by the judges. They will be looking for all round excellence in business: business success, growth and achievement, innovation, creativity, staff training and development. Sponsored by Pursuit Aerospace
Medium Business of the Year Award
This award is open to medium-sized businesses (employing between 50 and 250 employees) demonstrating all-round excellence in business, evidence of business success, growth, achievement, innovation, creativity, staff development and training, and green initiatives. Sponsored by Crow Wood
Large Business of the Year Award
The Large Business award is for those companies with more than 250 employees. The judges will be looking to hear how large businesses have consolidated their growth and how they still keep employees and clients and the heart of what they do.
This will include staff training and development, innovation in partnerships, commercial success, key achievements and green initiatives.
Sponsored by Charter Walk Shopping Centre.
International Trade of the Year
Are your business horizons wider than the UK market? This award will recognise growth in international trade. Your entry should demonstrate a detailed understanding of the target market(s). Judges will be looking for evidence based on the following criteria:
- Evidence of versatility, imagination and persistence in exploiting target markets overseas
- Tactical ability in overcoming obstacles such as bureaucracy and exchange rates
- Evidence of positive sales and market share performance
- Open to businesses that are trading internationally – flying the flag for Burnley overseas. Sponsored by +24 Marketing.
Manufacturing Excellence Award
This award is specifically designed to recognise excellence and best practice in Burnley’s strong manufacturing sector – not only in terms of internal operations but also in terms of processes that involve customers and suppliers.
The judges will be looking for evidence based on the following criteria:
- Sales performance and growth prospects
- Product development, manufacturing innovation and the efficient use of technology
- Quality standards and monitoring
- Investment in people and equipment
- Environmental awareness
The Innovation Award
This award will acknowledge successful innovation within a business. This may be demonstrated in innovative products, services, processes, design, workforce development or technology.
Judges are looking for inspirational examples of digital innovation, technological robustness and creative originality in any project undertaken within the last 2 years. This award is open to both digital companies and companies who may not be predominantly digital but are embracing digital technologies and strategies to improve their business. In this category the judges will look for creativity and innovation in the use of digital. Entries can span all kinds of standalone and multichannel programmes, events, experiences and initiatives that have a digital element. The focus is on how the project shows novel thinking or a clever idea in the use of digital or where a problem has been solved in a new way using digital, even where the technology used is no longer considered “new”.
Judges will be looking for details on the performance of the project to the client and the intended audience. Eligible businesses include businesses embracing digital technologies, as well as software developers and coders, those who provide digital marketing channels, social marketing, SEO operations and digital sales platforms. Sponsored by SS&C.
Environmental Excellence Award
Businesses need to take seriously the green agenda, not least because customers will increasingly demand the companies they work with are doing everything they can to meet carbon net zero targets and be more sustainable and responsible. Judges will look for evidence based on the following criteria:
- A plan for reducing carbon emissions and reaching carbon net zero targets
- Progress made so far to implement green strategies
- How environmental changes are at the heart of a business and not just an afterthought
- Positive impact on the business’s local community in regards to sustainability
- A responsible and ethical approach to business Sponsored by Safran.
Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Award
Entrants for this award should demonstrate their contribution to Burnley’s leisure and tourism economy for residents or visitors, providing a quality offer and innovative services or products.
We are looking for entrants who help bring in people from outside the area, and offer reasons for residents to stay and spend here. The judges will be looking for innovative ideas to attract new visitors and customers both externally and internally. This award category is open to hospitality and leisure businesses such as attractions, spas, sports venues, gyms, and hotels, events venues, pubs, bars and restaurants, farms or any other business that attracts people in and out of the borough to visit;. Judges are looking for a stand-out leisure business that can demonstrate a strong business model and excellent customer service. Sponsored by Nybble.co.uk
The Employer of the Year Award
This award recognises organisations that have created a stimulating and supportive work environment and a real commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce. Judges will be looking for:
- Positive leadership and management
- An integrated ethical culture across the company
- A clear human resources policy that creates a stimulating and supportive workplace
- How employees are engaged with company values and strategic goals
Able to demonstrate that are a youth-friendly employer, whether through KickStart placements, apprentices, work experience and supporting young people’s transition into the workplace.
Young Employee of the Year Award
Nominated by their employer, this category is open to a young employee or apprentice who has been employed by the company for up to 2 years and aged 25 or under. The nomination must demonstrate how the individual has had a significant impact on the business and made a personal contribution to a project or business as a whole. This might include career progression, relevant personal or professional qualifications or other training. This person’s company will need to support their entry in this category and confirm the positive impact they have made in their job role and to the overall business or organisation.
Entertainment sponsor – AMS Neve
Table wine sponsor – Forbes Solicitors
Champagne sponsor – VEKA
Table arrangement and decor sponsor – boohoo
Social media sponsor – PM+M
Print partner – Peter Scott Printers
Media partner – Burnley Express
Judging venue partners – Impact Conferencing and Holiday Inn
With support from the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
WINNERS BBQ SPONSORS
KEY DATES
- Open Date for Entries: Monday 15th January 2024
- Closing Date for Entries: Thursday 28th March 2024
- Shortlist Announced and Tickets On Sale: Friday 12th April 2024
- Finalist Interviews/Presentations: Monday 29th April and Wednesday 1st May 2024
- Burnley Business Awards Ceremony: Thursday 4th July 2024
HOW TO ENTER AND THE RULES
All entries must be submitted online.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU COMPLETE ALL THE FIELDS.
THE AWARDS ARE JUDGED BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL – PLEASE FULLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ON THE PRESUMPTION THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW YOUR BUSINESS.
Entry is open to organisations in Burnley and Padiham who pay their business rates to Burnley Borough Council and are up to date with them. Charities/not-for-profits/CICs in the borough are encouraged to apply.
Rules of Entry:
1) All entries must be from businesses operating in Burnley & Padiham.
2) You must be up to date with your business rates and pay them to Burnley Borough Council.
2) All entries must be received by midnight on Wednesday 28th March 2024.
3) The panel of judges may request further information.
4) Any information supplied in relation to your entry may be used in event publicity, however, information clearly marked as confidential will be treated in the strictest confidence.
5) The decision of the organisers, sponsors, or any of the judging panel is final in respect of matters relating to these awards.
6) Participation in the Burnley Business Awards 2024 means acceptance of these rules and regulations.
7) Finalists will be invited to give a short presentation to the judging panel on either the 29th April or the 1st of May to expand on their online entry (s) so please keep these dates free in your diaries.
If you have any questions about the entry process or you are having problems with the online entry form
please contact businessawards@burnley.gov.uk
TICKETS ON SALE – 12th April
Tickets are £95 each, full table booking discounts are: Table of 12 – £1,045
Your ticket includes: Champagne Reception, Table Wine, Dinner, Entertainment, Award Presentations, After Party
PLEASE EMAIL BUSINESSAWARDS@BURNLEY.GOV.UK FOR ALL TICKETING ENQUIRIES.