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:

1. Check the ‘Category Guide’, select up to 2 categories plus a ‘Best in District Award’ and begin your entry here >
2. Download and complete – ‘A General Information Form’ and the relevant ‘Category Entry Form(s)’
3. Return your entry forms to Awardsentries@bbf.uk.com by midnight on 18th April 2019.

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.

• Any registered private sector organisation or company of any size located within Buckinghamshire that has been trading for at least 12 months is eligible to enter the awards.
• If your organisation is part of a larger business or a franchise, your organisation must function as a separate business unit in the county of Buckinghamshire.
• Sponsors of awards are not eligible to enter the Buckinghamshire Business Awards and entries cannot be accepted from any business which is part or wholly funded by any local authority.

Please see full terms and conditions for further information.

• Thursday 18 April 2019 - Closing date for entries
• Thursday 18th July 2019 - Tickets for the Awards go on sale
• Thursday 25th July 2019 - Finalists Announced 
• Wednesday 9th October 2019 - Awards Ceremony

View the full terms and conditions here >

Please download the following documents to help you make the most of your entry. 

• Awards Category Guide 2019 - Download here >
• Your guide to entering the Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2019 - Download here >
• Terms and Conditions - View here >
• Privacy Policy - View here >

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?

1. Entry is by written submission only from which shortlists will be decided. 
2. Shortlisted organisations will be visited by a judge at their premises 
3. From the shortlist – finalists will be selected after having been through our judging panel.
4. Finalists will be notified by email on Thursday 25th July 2019
5. A senior representative from all finalist organisations must be available to attend the gala dinner on Wednesday 9th October 2019.

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.

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:

• Why the new digital innovation was needed
• How the company overcame change to incorporate the new innovation/s
• The benefits derived from it/them

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:

• Demonstrate that customer service is treated as a priority
• Show that the company has a positive customer service culture
• Demonstrate how customer service has improved over the last 12 months

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:

• With a more than 10 employees
• That has grown jobs or sales by 20% plus per annum over the last 3 years

Businesses and organisations that enter this category will need to show that:

• They have expanded their markets beyond that of the UK and/or are working with other international companies
• They have successfully launched or expanded their non-UK operations or collaborations within the last 24 months
• They have significantly increased their overall sales revenue as a result of international working

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:

• Best in Aylesbury Vale District
• Best in Wycombe District
• Best in Chiltern and South Bucks Districts

‘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.