Entries are open for the EDP Business Awards 2024, and there’s just under two weeks to go until applications close.
If your business has shown impressive growth over the past year, has innovated in its products or services, or is a new, emerging enterprise that is primed to make its mark in Norfolk, get your entries in now.
Here, we look at two of this year’s categories in detail and find out what the judges will be looking for in the winner.
Start Up of the Year
The winner of the Start Up of the Year award will be a business with a clear purpose that is less than three years old at the point when applications close.
This award category is returning after some years absent from the EDP Business Awards. It gives inspiring newcomers in the Norfolk business community a chance to shine by highlighting the innovative ideas they are bringing to the table and supporting them in networking with established businesses across the county.
Entrants should be able to provide evidence of clear financial activity that has translated into inward investment, increased turnover and/or acceleration to the profit stage.
The judges will look at the specific ways in which businesses have innovated in their products or services, evidence of strong managerial leadership, and a clear mission that underpins the burgeoning new enterprise.
They will also require evidence of forecasted financial growth and investment.
The theme of this year’s EDP Business Awards is sustainability. New businesses are an essential part of pushing the move towards greener business practices, so the winner of this category should also showcase an understanding of their environmental impact and a clear sustainability strategy.
This award will help businesses take the next step in their growth, acting as a marker of early success that can prove vital at the beginning of a company’s journey.
Medium Business of the Year
Medium-sized businesses make an invaluable contribution to Norfolk’s economy, both in revenue generation and job creation.
The judges of the Medium Business of the Year category will be looking for companies with a turnover of £1-5 million that demonstrate excellence in all areas.
The judges will look at entrants’ trading performance and how they set themselves apart from their industry competitors, and want to see examples of specific strategies that have driven business growth.
The judging criteria requires entrants to demonstrate how they as a business have innovated within their market, either through their products or the services they provide.
They should also have a clear and defined strategy for growth backed by effective managerial leadership, and a well thought-out sustainability strategy.
The winner of last year’s Medium Business of the Year award was Norwich-based Opergy Group, a collection of small, high-growth companies offering a range of skills and services focused on supporting business growth across various clean energy and energy transition sectors.
The judges said they were “excited by the group’s readiness to support and play a role in groundbreaking new technologies while delivering sustainable, organic growth in the core business”.
When interviewed at last year’s awards ceremony, Johnathan Reynolds FRSA, managing director of Opergy Group said that the group is “proud to be based in Norfolk” and that the award “couldn’t have come at a better time”.
“It rightly recognises all the hard work and commitment from our teams across the Opergy Group,” he said.
Entries for the EDP Business Awards 2024 close on Sunday, July 28. To enter or for more information, please visit edpbusinessawards.co.uk
To find out more about the categories, please click here.
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