News from our partners Shropshire Chamber of Commerce
Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has officially launched its 2024 Business Awards to champion the “vibrancy, innovation and success” of the local economy.
Nearly 200 business people attended the launch event, held at the Mercure Albrighton Hall Hotel near Shrewsbury, to hear from organizers, judges, previous winners and sponsors.
Shropshire Business Awards logo
The entry is currently Open The showpiece awards will be presented at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony at Telford's International Center this summer.
Details can be found at: www.shropshirechamberbusinessawards.com.
The 2024 competition is free to enter and open to all businesses with a business presence in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin, whether or not they are Chamber members.
This includes the return of long-running categories such as Company of the Year, Best New Business, Best Small Business and Outstanding Customer Service.
There are also several new categories this year, including the Outstanding Business Growth Award and the return of categories recognizing retail, leisure and hospitality.
The awards ceremony was attended by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Ruth Ross, Directors Matt Lowe and Rachel Owen, and Events and Training Manager Kelly Riedel.
“The Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is firmly established as the largest event of its kind in the country, with a history dating back over 20 years,” said Ruth, Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. CEO Ross said.
“The last few years have been an extraordinary journey for all of us. Rather than dwelling on the challenges, we have embraced them as opportunities to grow, adapt and create.
“Shropshire businesses have shown incredible agility and determination, evolving in ways we could never have imagined, while delivering new products and services to a wider market.
“We take great pride in showcasing companies of all sizes who shine as beacons of excellence in their respective fields.
“These businesses have not only raised their profile but also elevated Shropshire businesses on a bigger stage. Winning one of these awards is a great honor for you, your It's a huge boost for your employees and your business.”
of Application deadline is April 12th, winners will be announced on June 21st, the night of the awards ceremony. Tickets are on sale now on the awards ceremony website.
Below is the complete list of 2024 categories and the criteria the final selection committee will use to judge entries.
The Showpiece Award is presented to an all-round star performer who flies the flag for business excellence in Shropshire. It will be determined based on the following combinations:
- Financial performance and pursuit of excellence
- Creativity, innovation and ambition
- Leadership and customer service skills
- Training, talent development and marketing strategy
- Community efforts
- Responding effectively to economic challenges
- awards, letters of recommendation, accolades
- Commitment to staff health and sustainability
For companies from any sector established after January 1stcent 2022. Entries will be evaluated on:
- Strength and uniqueness of business vision
- A clear and dynamic business plan
- Financial goals and evidence of progress
- Creative and ambitious marketing and growth strategies
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
Open to businesses in all sectors that employ up to 10 full-time equivalent staff and have demonstrated a high level of success. Evaluation criteria:
- Advanced strategies for innovation and growth
- Gaining and maintaining competitive advantage
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
- Clear and creative marketing and growth plans
- accolades, testimonials and evidence of financial success
For companies that give maximum consideration to customer needs. Evaluation criteria:
- How to consistently exceed customer expectations
- Measure customer satisfaction and act on feedback
- Training and development of customer relations and service skills
- Awards, honors, testimonials
- Commitment to staff health and sustainability
Open to businesses that have shown significant growth over the past 36 months (evidence must be provided during the application process). Evaluation criteria:
- Evidence of strategic and profitable expansion, such as expansion into accounts, new products/services, or new markets over the past three years.
- Dynamic and scalable business model
- Increase in number of employees and/or turnover, evidence of salary increases over 3 years
- Ability to enter new markets domestically and internationally
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
For businesses that believe in the philosophy of 'giving something back' to the Shropshire community. Evaluation criteria:
- Top-to-bottom 'buy-in' from staff at all levels, beyond legal requirements
- Examples of projects that have made a big difference to the lives of local people
- Promote the value of community activities through our company vision and values
- Supporting Shropshire suppliers by 'buying local'
- Foster connections with schools, universities and community groups
Celebrating the contributions of companies of all sizes in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Evaluation criteria:
- Innovation and customer satisfaction
- Quality control processes and use of new technology
- effective leadership and management
- Testimonials and evidence of financial success
- Well-being and sustainability policies and processes
We are open to businesses that are making a positive contribution to some of Shropshire's most important sectors. Evaluation criteria:
- Established market position and strong financial performance
- Overcome challenges and gain competitive advantage
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
- Clear and creative marketing and growth plans
- awards, honors, letters of recommendation
For companies that have identified a gap in the market and are thinking outside the box to fill it. Evaluation criteria:
- Your USP: What makes you stand out from your competitors?
- Product, service and process innovation
- Evidence of profitability and effective leadership
- Customer testimonials, awards and future growth potential
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
For green companies that promote innovative practices, processes and technologies. Evaluation criteria:
- Adopting green technology to reduce carbon footprint
- Promoting or producing environmentally friendly products and services
- A company-wide commitment to “bringing change”
- Significant and quantitative improvements in environmental and commercial performance
- Staff development, welfare and sustainability initiatives
Anyone under the age of 30 in January 2024 with talent, commitment and an entrepreneurial spirit can apply. Evaluation criteria:
- Evidence that has a material impact on the business
- Training and self-development efforts
- Entrepreneurship, reliability and work ethics
- Excellent people skills and maturity beyond age
- Testimonials from managers, colleagues, and customers.
The John Clayton Award, named after the former president of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and selected by the chamber's directors, is also awarded to someone judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the local business community.
For almost a quarter of a century, the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards has established itself as the county's biggest business event.
Since the event first began in 2001, more than 13,000 people have attended the presentation night.
Winning a trophy is a true badge of honor and has come to be recognized as a kite mark of excellence. Approximately 300 trophies have been awarded over the years.
