THE Social Mobility Award, sponsored by Bradford BID, recognises individuals or organisations who go beyond the norm and achieve the highest standards for communities, organisations, schools and businesses.

This 2022 Bradford Means Business Awards category will recognise the effective investment of resources that businesses have made to address issues which prevent or limit social mobility.

Social mobility is key to ensuring our local communities thrive through the ability to access opportunity and overcome barriers to social inclusion.

Finalists will be those businesses who can demonstrate how they have sought to understand factors which impact social mobility in our district and have then worked effectively to address these issues and support the provision of relevant services.

The award was first introduced in 2020 but due to the cancellation of the ceremony due to the Covid pandemic, last year saw the award given for the first time.

Inaugural winner Exa Networks, based near Bradford city centre, delivers bespoke internet services, working with thousands of schools and business across the UK.

After winning the award last year, founder and director of Exa Networks, Mark Cowgill, said: "It feels awesome. We weren't expecting this award at all.

"There are some great businesses in Bradford. To be named a finalist is brilliant to then win it is the cherry on top.

"We just want to carry on what we have been doing for the last 18 years. It's all about sustainable growth and employing as many people from Bradford that we can."