Bradford's premier business event is back for 2019, bigger and better than ever.

The Bradford Means Business Awards aim to celebrate success, recognise achievement and highlight the innovative people and companies throughout Bradford district who are putting their region on the map
by boosting the economy while making a positive contribution to the local community.

We believe that the passion, determination, tireless energy and skill that goes into running a top-performing company all deserve recognition and our 10 award categories are designed to celebrate businesses from across a range of sectors.

Organised in partnership with Bradford Council, the awards will culminate in a glittering final in July 2019, attended by hundreds of the Bradford district’s business elite.

It will be a celebration of the region’s best companies and a reminder that Bradford is a great place to do business.

Nominations will open next month in ten categories:

SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The award is open to companies in the region which normally employ no more than 75 full-time staff whilst demonstrating a strong financial performance.

Recognising a business that has shown marked success over the year, this award celebrates companies that are integral to the economy. For all finalists, judges will consider current trading performance, the prospective growth and development opportunities for the future of the business.

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
This award honours the region’s top employers. These companies will have demonstrated strong investment in their employees as well having a reward scheme and other key employee benefits.

Companies must be able to demonstrate that the safety and security of their employees is of the utmost importance and will be paying the living wage. It’s time to be rewarded and be
recognised as one of the best places to work in the area!

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is open to companies in the region that have set up in 2018 and can demonstrate imagination, sound planning and exceptional marketing delivery.

This coveted award recognises the region’s brightest new businesses and the contribution they make to the region in the future.

Judges will be tasked with analysing business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years.

BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
This award celebrates the entrepreneurs behind some of the most innovative and successful businesses in the Bradford district.

Looking at the individual achievements of the entrepreneur, the results returned by their business and their unique approach to the marketplace they operate in, the judges will select finalists that best represent the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
This award recognises those companies that make customer service a priority in their day-to-day operations.

The judges will be looking for a company that can demonstrate how they deliver excellent customer service and can showcase this with testimonials and demonstrate the depth of their customer
service policies to deliver an outstanding experience for its customers.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Apprenticeships are an increasingly an important way of attracting new talent and providing training for the future. We know there have been some fantastic successes locally and this award recognises
an employer’s best apprentice who has successfully come through their apprenticeship programme.

The finalists in this category will have gone above and beyond as part of their apprenticeship for an employer that has offered the support and training needed to kick-start their careers.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AWARD
The finalists for this award will have demonstrated considerable dedication to corporate, social and ethical responsibility, providing the community with the many positive outcomes of their commercial
activity.

Judges will focus on businesses that have contributed substantially to the community through various means, including society-led projects, aiding economic regeneration and supporting local suppliers.

EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Paying tribute to the company that has excelled in their field, we're looking for a business that has demonstrated an ability to succeed in international markets, export sales growth/consistency and adapting a product or service to new markets - a skill that will be ever more important in the post-Brexit world ahead.

FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for established family businesses across all industry sectors, that can demonstrate sustained success across a broad range of measures, whilst ensuring all family values are followed.

The judges will also be looking at the aspirations of the business to demonstrate how both current
and future family generations will be involved in the growth of the business.

JOB CREATOR OF THE YEAR
The award is for a business or individual who has played an outstanding role in boosting employment in the district through innovation, investment and putting job creation as a key part of their business development.

Judges are looking for evidence of how you are creating employment and looking to expand your workforce in the year ahead.

THE WINNERS AWARD
Are you the best of the best? On the evening of the awards the judges, fellow nominees and specially invited guests will choose the winner of winners from the 10 categories above. The company with the best overall contribution to business in Bradford will be chosen as our winner.

  • Nominations in all of the above categories will open on February 27. We are still looking for sponsors for some of these awards - to find out more contact us on 01274 705286