2011 Award Categories

• 1. Business Person of the Year Award

  

  Sponsored by Convatec Ltd

  An individual working for a local based business or organisation who has shown a commitment to the positive promotion of Flintshire to the business community, locally or on a wider scale.

  There is no separate entry for this most prestigious award. The winner will be decided upon by all the sponsors chosen from the finalists of the other Awards. The winner will be the business most able to demonstrate all-round achievement, a clear vision for the future, success against objectives, sustained growth and be a standard bearer for success in Flintshire

• 2. Employer of the year Award

  

  Sponsored by Gardners Chartered Accountants

  We are hoping to find an employer who has devised and implemented leading edge work-life balance policies and practices with examples. We will be looking for exciting fresh ideas or initiatives, not covered by any other award for example:

  Business Strategy to include good people management
  Communication with effective working examples

• 3. Environment Award

  

  Sponsored by West Coast Energy

  This award is to recognise outstanding performance in environmental management.

  Minimising the environmental impact of their operations through a reduction in Emissions (liquid, solid and gas)

  Reducing the long-term environmental impact of the product through design, innovation and manufacturing techniques.

  Re-use and recycling initiatives of waste and raw materials including supply chain initiatives and waste exchange

  Initiatives in partnership with the local community, including education either at community or company level.

  Contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life.

  Environmental projects which contribute to the economic regeneration of the region.

  Projects that can demonstrate long-term sustainability or improvements to biodiversity.

  Evidence that Management Systems (for example ISO 14001) are core to the environmental management approach.

• 4. Innovation Award

  

  Sponsored by
  B2 Business Systems Ltd

  This award is to identify and reward the company which has launched the most innovative new product/service.

  This category is open to any organisation, irrespective of size. The judges will be looking for evidence of:

  Development within the last three years of an innovative product, process or service, or a new way of working.

  Commercial relevance of the development and actual or projected commercial success.

  Benefit of the development to the customer or business.

  Clear written description of the development (layman’s terms as far as possible) and its background, including any details of protection.

• 5. People Development Award

  

  Sponsored by Careers Wales

  Recognises organisations that can demonstrate how their people development strategy has improved business performance, encouraged career progression and created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

  Entrants are encouraged to include clear examples of success in these areas.

• 6. Small Business Award

  

  Sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses

  This Award is open to any business that employs less than 25 staff. The judges will be looking for evidence of:

  A written business plan with strategy and vision for the next 3-5 years

  Management with the ability to drive the business forward

  Understanding their market and mechanisms

• 7. Social & Community Award

  

  Sponsored by
  Duncan Sheard Glass Accountants

  All businesses are welcome to enter this award regardless of their size or legal structure as long as the majority of their income comes through trading and the majority of their profits are used to further social or environmental goals.

  Successful entrants in this category will need to show convincing evidence of the following criteria:

  Fulfillment of aims
  Local job creation
  Management and leadership
  Membership/community involvement
  Commitment of staff

• 8. Sustainability Award

  

  Sponsored by
  UPM - Kymmene (UK) Limited

  This award will recognise a company able to demonstrate outstanding achievement and commitment toward sustainable development. Integrating environmental, social, economic responsibility and leadership into their business over a sustained period of time.

  Criteria:

  Organisations able to show that they understand what sustainable development means to their business and the impact they have from their supply chain and on their communities in terms of environmental performance and social responsibility.

  Organisations that have studied their products and understand the impact of those products throughout their life cycle - both from raw material extraction to final fate after use.

  Organisations that can demonstrate the commercial and economic benefits of adopting a sustainable approach to business.

  Organisations that can show continuous improvement in environmental performance through indicators and measures reviewed regularly within the business.

  Organisations that invest in the people employed within the business and in the local community to create value and growth.

  Organisations that can demonstrate that sustainability is fundamental to the philosophy of the organisation and which is incorporated within leadership and management processes.

• 9. Tourism Award

  

  Sponsored by
  Flintshire County Council, Tourism Section and Tourism Partnership North Wales

  This award is open to any Tourism, hospitality or leisure related business, irrelevant of size with a trading history of no less than three years. The judges will be looking for evidence of:

  Commitment to promoting leisure pursuits and customer focused hospitality in Flintshire
  Evidence of business growing year on year
  Adding value to the county as a leisure and hospitality focused sector
  Creating employment and proven development of staff for the betterment of the leisure and hospitality industry in Flintshire
  Evidence of customer feedback detailing satisfaction with the services/facilities on offer

• 10. Women into Business Award

  

  Sponsored by
  Parkway Telecom

  This prestigious award is open to inspirational women who can demonstrate that they have achieved significant success - particularly those who’ve had to overcome adversities, financial constraints, and social disadvantages or skills gaps and have done so whilst addressing the work life balance.

  The award identifies female entrepreneurs running outstanding businesses and those who are providing impetus and inspiration for other women in business.

  Evidence that they have positively influenced other women in business, either through inspiration, mentoring, public speaking, the focus of the business (such as training schemes to get women into their industry) and/or

  Evidence that they have pioneered or broken new ground as women in business, where possible.

• 11. Young Entrepreneur Award

  

  Sponsored by
  AGS Security Systems Ltd

  Young entrepreneurs make a vital contribution to the economy today, and are critical to the UK economic future. If you are under 35 and have founded a successful business then this category is for you.

  This title will be awarded to a person or (partnership) who has demonstrated the following:

  Exceptional vision and leadership qualities in the establishment and development of an owner led business
  The application of lateral and innovative thinking in their planning and operational management
  A sound understanding of their market sector and customer needs, with the ability to recognize opportunities
  Records of achievement and performance which makes their business stand out from the crowd
  Drive and determination to sustain and grow a successful business for the future
  

  You’re eligible to enter for this award if:
  You’re operating a business in Flintshire as an owner or director
  You’ve have been trading for a minimum of 12 months at close of entry
  You’re aged 16 – 35 years old at close of entry