It’s time to vote for Bay’s best businesses
THE South Wales Evening Post, Swansea Bay Business Life and WalesOnline have launched the Swansea Bay Business Awards 2019, celebrating the diverse range of businesses in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
The black tie event will be held on Friday, February 22, at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, with doors opening at 6.45pm.
The event will be compered by journalist and TV presenter Frances Donovan and will include a special guest speaker.
We are asking businesses to nominate from the various 15 categories. A shortlist of three will be selected from each category and one of the winners will be chosen as the overall Business of the Year.
The event last year saw Naissance take home the award for Business of the Year.
Founder and CEO of Naissance, Jem Skelding said: “It was such a great honour to be nominated in last year’s Swansea Bay Business Awards. Winning International Trade Award and overall Business of the Year 2018 was such a huge success for our company.”
Jonathan Roberts, editor of the South Wales Evening Post, said: “It is an honour to be involved in this event. We have so many extraordinary companies in this region and it’s our job to tell their stories. The Swansea Bay Business Awards help shine a light on them.”
The guest speaker last year was Olympian Colin Jackson, who gave an inspirational speech about his life, during and post his glittering career. ■ Business of the year 150+ employees:
For the year’s outstanding large business.
■ Entrepreneur:
This will go to the individual who has made a significant impact on the business world in the past year, either by steering a highly-successful business or by launching a ground-breaking new company or product.
■ Green business:
For the company which has shown outstanding concern for the environment.
The project or initiative must have been completed or reached a meaningful stage within the past year.
■ Young business person:
This goes to the business person under the age of 30 who best demonstrates ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success.
This is open to young entrepreneurs enjoying success in building their own business and to employees who have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the success of a larger organisation.
■ Innovation:
This will go to a company or individual who has made a significant impact on the business world during the past financial year with a new idea.
It may be through the successful launch of a new company or business model, the revival of an existing one, or by developing and marketing a new product or by diversifying.
The ethos of the business will also be taken into consideration.
■ Manufacturing business:
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, as well as a strong commitment to the city and region.
■ Apprenticeship
development: For the business or organisation which has made a significant contribution to the advancement of apprenticeships.
■ International
For the business which has made significant overseas sales during the past year, or grown exports or forged into new foreign markets.
trade
business:
■ Best business start-up:
This will be presented to the best new business idea of the past year.
■ Tourism & hospitality:
This will go to a business which is specifically involved in tourism or hospitality and can demonstrate how it has increased visitor numbers and contributed to the marketing and popularity of the region as a destination.
■ Family business:
This will go to a business, established by a family and still run by members. The business must have been operating for at least five years. Judges will look at its performances and potential. Its size and the length of time it has operated will be considered against financial performance.
■ Lifetime achievement:
For the businessman or woman who, in the opinion of the judges, has made a considerable, profitable and lasting contribution to the local economy over a period of at least 20 years.
■ Social enterprise business:
For businesses that provide valuable community services in the region, and have made a significant difference to beneficiaries, through its ability to generate income to meet its social goals.
■ Nominations can be made online via https://bit.ly/ 2yqIHjS – they close on Friday, December 21.