We’re looking for 2021’s business of the year
West Wales’s business success will be celebrated on May 27
IF your business could be one of our champions at this year’s West Wales Business Awards 2021, make sure you don’t miss out on entering at www. westwalesbusinessawards.co.uk before the April 19 deadline for a chance to scoop a coveted title.
You have to be more than just business savvy to run a successful company. Passion, grit, versatility and an unending amount of spirit are just a few of the traits you need to be triumphant in the world of business. But there is one thing for sure, our Welsh entrepreneurs are overflowing with every quality a high-flyer needs.
The West Wales Business Awards are dedicated to the brilliant businesses in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion that are helping west Wales thrive. Taking on the virtual world this year, the event will be streamed live on the evening of May 27. Tickets will be free of charge so that everyone is able to join in the special event while remaining safe. To register for your free tickets, please contact Simone.Joynes@reachplc. com for more information.
There are 11 awards to win at this year’s West Wales Business Awards, the categories taking into account how important diversity is for a successful region. Without triumphant training initiatives, businesses would struggle in the face of adversity. If there are no committed construction services, manufacturing business would be prevented from reaching their full potential. Every sector of the business industry supports each other in sustaining a dynamic local economy, and so they all deserve endless admiration.
Showing adaptability and conviction, our industry has been through a lot this past year in order to even just survive. Now more than ever we understand how important local businesses are in keeping our community going. Everyone wants to show support for those truly interested in helping our region, and so entering your business means that we can all recognise your hard work.
Here are the 11 categories for businesses to enter:
BUSINESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
This award will go to a business that has gone the ‘extra mile’ during the agonising months of lockdown. The winner will have demonstrated excellence under pressure that also benefited businesses or communities during this time. Key attributes demonstrated during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic will be courage, conviction and a commitment to diversifying and producing a flexible model that showed pride and a passion to help others.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The award is open to companies with fewer than 25 employees. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past six to 12 months. The winner will have demonstrated the work that has been done to mitigate, or capitalise on, the impact of Covid-19 on people, processes and profit, as well as long-term planning. Our judges will be looking at the agility of the business for its people and the future. We want to hear about what it has done to protect its business and its people and what is in place to build on in 2021.
We also want to hear what they have done that has supported their wider community (for example, fundraising, or diversification to home deliveries/ online ordering).
MEDIUM - LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to companies with 25 or more employees. The category has the same criteria as the Small Business of the Year award; the judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity.
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to first generation family-owned companies, multi-generational businesses and publicly-owned firms in which founding families still hold a significant stake. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past 12 months. The criteria matches the Small and Medium-Large Business of the Year categories.
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to businesses operating in agriculture, agri-business and food production. The judges will be looking at all aspects of company performance and will be paying particular attention to managerial and financial performance; long term plans and company strategy; evidence of sustainability and environmental awareness; and examples of engagement with the rural community.
RETAIL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award will go to the company that best demonstrates that it is at the heart of its local community. It will need to provide the judges with evidence of how it contributes to the business community in west Wales, providing employment to local people, as well as offering consumers choice, quality and service.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SPONSORED M&D CARE
The category is for businesses or organisations which have made a significant commitment to the ongoing training and education of its employees, and can prove how investment in training has brought success. Judges will be looking for companies that can show how staff have gained the necessary skills to maximise their contribution.
MANUFACTURING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY UNIVERSITY OF WALES TRINITY SAINT DAVID This award will go to a company whose primary business is manufacturing. The judges will pay particular attention to strong financial performance, job creation, investment, industry recognition, accreditation, and accolades. They will also look for firms that have won new contracts, broken into new markets and have a strong commitment to the region.
SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for businesses that demonstrate excellence in the provision of a service. This business will be seen to be regularly going ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty to ensure its customers receive excellent service in the sector that it is operating. Judges will also be looking for a company that demonstrates excellent business acumen.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award will go to a company whose primary business is in the construction industry. The judges will pay particular attention to strong financial performance, job creation, investment, industry recognition, accreditation, and accolades. They will also look for firms that have won new contracts, broken into new markets and have a strong commitment to the region.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The coveted award will go to the local business that impresses judges with aspects from the previous categories.
Does your business have the requirements to win one of these categories? Enter at www.westwalesbusinessawards. co. uk before Monday, April 19 for your business to be recognised.
The West Wales Business Awards 2021 will be streamed for free on Thursday, May 27. To register for your free tickets, please contact Simone.Joynes@reachplc. com for more information