The Buckinghamshire Business Awards are an opportunity for local businesses to show that they are leaders in their field who excel through hard work and entrepreneurial vision. Each winner and finalist embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship that makes Buckinghamshire renowned for business success. Together, they all show that nobody does business like Buckinghamshire. Take a look at the 2018 winners here >
Entries for the 2019 Buckinghamshire Business awards are now open and there are 13 categories available for businesses to enter. Enter now!
Buckinghamshire’s most prestigious Business Awards is now open for entries, so if you are looking to showcase your business as the best of the best, make sure you are ready to enter. Here is all the information you need to know about entering.
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2019 Buckinghamshire Business Awards please download the Sponsorship Brochure or contact us at awards@bbf.uk.com.
Entering the awards is easy, fill out the entry request form to start your Buckinghamshire Business Award journey. You can also download our useful guide to entering the Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2019 here >
Once you have filled out the entry request form your next steps are below:
Whatever the size, sector or age of your business you will benefit.
Development begins at entry
Entering creates an opportunity to focus on your business in a structured way and identify core strengths and competitive advantages. Use the entry process as an MOT for your business.
Recognition of excellence
Award winners receive public recognition of business excellence, being acknowledged as the best in Buckinghamshire by peers, the business community and media. There are also bottom line benefits, winning companies often secure new contracts as a direct result of their success. All winners receive a bespoke trophy designed locally
Appreciation
The award process provides a platform that acknowledges the contributions made by employees to your organisation’s success and an invitation to the awards ceremony can reward their efforts.
Publicity
Award participation provides another dimension for showcasing your services and products to a wider audience together with recognition within the local community as being an outstanding business. As a finalist and winner, companies receive official Buckinghamshire Business Awards branding and logos to use for promotional purposes. Finalists and winners will be featured in our Awards supplement produced and distributed by local press in Buckinghamshire.
Please see full terms and conditions for further information.
Please download the following documents to help you make the most of your entry.
What is the deadline for entry?
The deadline for entry is midnight on Thursday 18 April 2019
How do we submit an entry?
You must download and complete an entry form for each category you wish to enter in addition to the General Entry Information
How much does it cost to enter?
The awards are free to enter and shortlisted organisations will receive one free ticket to the gala dinner on Wednesday 9th October 2019
How many stages are there?
What is the confidentiality policy for the written entries?
All entries are confidential and will only be viewed by the judges.
Who should I contact with any questions?
The Buckinghamshire Business Awards are organised by Buckinghamshire Business First and any questions should be directed to awards@bbf.uk.com or tel: 01494 927158
What can I expect on the night?
A night like nothing you’ve ever experienced before – the ceremony is something very different and will certainly be a night to remember, regardless of if you are a guest, a finalist or even better a winner! Your colleagues, important clients and prospects will enjoy the very best in hospitality, cuisine and production.
Take a look at the top tips from previous winners, judges, and PR expert below:
There are 13 award categories to enter and a business can enter up to two categories plus one Best in District Award. The prestigious Company of the Year Award will be given to a company chosen from all of the finalists across all of the awards.
This award is open to all employers who have employed or provided work experience for a young person under the age of 24 (at the time of recruitment) since September 2017 which has involved training. The following types of relevant work opportunities include: apprenticeships, traineeships, work experience and general part time work. The award wishes to recognise companies providing excellence in training and career opportunities in the county.
This award recognises businesses that have introduced new digital technologies to their companies which have improved their productivity / efficiency / profitability. Businesses in this category need to evidence why change is necessary to their business, the innovation introduced and the benefits derived from it.
Businesses and organisations that enter this category will need to demonstrate:
The award recognises those businesses who have a strong track record of playing their responsible part in society and giving back to it, through fundraising, active support from company employees and/or providing opportunities for worthy causes, for which there is no direct financial benefit to the company.
This award seeks to recognise excellence in customer service and a business which can:
This Award is open to any business within the county who have grown or scaled up since October 2016. The definition of a scale up refers to business which have shown rapid growth with the potential and ambition to continue that trajectory.
This award is open to any business:
Businesses and organisations that enter this category will need to show that:
The Low Carbon Workspace category is open to any business that has reduced the environmental impact of their premises or operations, by improving water or energy efficiency and/or reducing waste generation, since January 2017. The judges will be looking for evidence of such improvements and will be interested in the additional benefits these measures have brought to the business, e.g. improved productivity, increased sales etc.
This category is open to any business that started trading aer January 1st 2017. The business cannot be an expansion of an existing business, have simply undergone a name change, or simply be operating from a new location.
The small business category is open to any business that employs fewer than 20 full time employees or equivalent.
Win a £25,000 Scholarship to study BSc Hons Business Enterprise (BBE). The BBE is a 2 year undergraduate degree programme. Start and run your own business and achieve an honours degree.
You do not need to complete a 'General Information Form' if you are only entering this category.
Buckinghamshire’s four district councils are demonstrating their commitment to supporting a vibrant economic community by offering businesses based in each of their districts the chance to be crowned ‘the best of the best’. Dependent upon where your business is based, you can enter either:
‘Company of the Year 2019’ will be awarded to the business that, in the opinion of the judges, best represents Buckinghamshire in terms of its success, commitment and contribution both to the local community and economy. Previous winners include, Ashridge Group (2018), Silverson Machines (2017), Monodraught (2016), CoCredo (2015) and Global Infusion Group (2014).
The winner of this category will become an Ambassador member of Buckinghamshire Business First, for one year.
Whether you missed out on the event and want to see what the fuss is all about, or if you were there but your memory is a little hazy (perhaps related to the amount of champagne drunk on the night) then check out a selection of the professional pictures taken on the night here and the images from the photo booth here. You can also see what happened on social media here.
The videos shown on the night featuring the finalists in each category can be watched here >
Take a look at our previous Award Winners below: