Back with a bang - the Swansea Bay Business Awards return for 2021
Enter your business before May 10 for the chance to scoop a title
IN amongst a year of struggle and hardship, local business has been a shining beacon for us all. Keeping us safe, connected and supported, the businesses in Swansea Bay City Region have reminded us of how great it is to be from Wales.
Positive initiatives, optimistic attitudes and ambitious plans have kept our region flourishing when light was hard to find.
The Swansea Bay Business Awards 2021 are all about highlighting the brilliant, innovative work throughout Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. We know there are many passionate and deserving success stories that qualify for the coveted titles, but the only way to be in with a chance is by entering at www.swanseabaybusinessawards.co.uk before Monday, May 10.
In order to keep everyone safe, on Monday, June 14 the Swansea Bay Business Awards 2021 will take place through a streaming service. What makes the Awards so special are the brilliant finalists and attendees, so you can rest assured that this year will be no different. Everyone is invited to attend the event to support our local business industry; tickets are free of charge and registration will be made available at the start of May.
With a troubling year behind us, every business deserves the chance to be celebrated and have its hard work appreciated. An extra special award has been brought in this year to recognise businesses that demonstrated inspiring conviction during the pandemic: Business in the Face of Adversity. If your business turned difficulty into diversity and surviving into thriving during the past 12 months, let us know.
Additionally to the remarkable companies and organisations that the Swansea Bay Business Awards celebrates, it also recognises inspiring individual talent. Every successful business starts from a single idea in a single mind, and whoever has taken that ingenuity and moulded it into something lucrative should be rewarded. Entrepreneurs of any age and background will be recognised for their significant impact on our region’s industry.
Check out which awards you could win below and get your entries in before Monday, May 10. The categories for the Swansea Bay Business Awards 2021 are:
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
This award will go to the individual who has made a significant impact on the business world during the past year, either by steering a highly-successful business or by launching a ground-breaking new company or product.
YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
This award is made for the business person under the age of 30 who best demonstrates ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. This award is open both to young entrepreneurs that are enjoying success in building their own business and to those employees that have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.
INNOVATION AWARD SPONSORED BY HMT SANCTA MARIA HOSPITAL
This award 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, by developing and marketing a new product or by diversifying business direction. The ethos of the business will also be taken into consideration.
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to first generation family-owned companies, multi-generational businesses and publicly owned firms in the Swansea Bay Region 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 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 their people and the future.
We want to hear about what they have done to protect their business and their 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, diversification to home deliveries, or online ordering.
START UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Start-up Business of The Year award will go to an organisation that has been established within the past two and a half years. It must demonstrate evidence of entrepreneurship and/or innovation, has defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow and thrive, and can evidence solid business plans, future growth potential and a determination to succeed. The judges will take into consideration managerial performance, sales growth, profit achievement, number of people employed and evidence of a satisfied customer base.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Small Business Of The Year Award is open to companies in the Swansea Bay Region 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 Covid19 on people, processes and profit, as well as long-term planning. Our judges will be looking at the agility of the business for their people and the future. We also want to hear what they have done that has supported their wider community.
MEDIUM - LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to companies in the Swansea Bay Region with 25 or more employees. The judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity. Our judges will be considering the challenges and achievements of, but not limited to, the past six to 12 months.
The winner will have also 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 also be looking at the agility of the business for their people and the future.
We want to hear about what they have done to protect their business and their 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.
BUSINESS IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
This award will go to a business in the Swansea Bay Region that has gone the ‘extra mile’ during the agonising months of lockdown. The winner will have demonstrated excellence under pressure that not only helped their own company but also benefited businesses or communities during this time. Key attributes demonstrated during the height of the Covid19 pandemic will be courage, conviction and a commitment to diversifying and producing a flexible model that showed pride and a passion to help others.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award will go to 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. This may be awarded to a member of a company or a member of a business organisation.
■ If you, or your business would like to be a bigger part of our awards we do have some sponsorship opportunities available. Interested? Contact Nikki at Nikki.kandola@reachplc.com or 0116 366 5126 for further information. ■ If your business fits the requirements for any of the categories above, enter now before the deadline on Monday, May 10. ■ The Swansea Bay Business Awards 2021 will be streamed virtually on Monday, June 14. Tickets are free of charge, with registration available from the start of May. Visit www. swanseabaybusinessawards. co.uk for more information.