The seventh annual Nectar Business Small Business Awards recently launched, led by one of the UK’s leading business women, consumer champion and BBC ‘Dragon’, Sarah Willingham.
The Awards – which are free to enter – celebrate the achievements of successful small businesses and small business owners across the UK. They are judged by a panel of respected industry figures including Sarah Willingham; Will Shuckburgh; Nectar Managing Director, Adam Collett; Marketing Director at Brakes, Allan Dickson; Director of Commercial at Dulux Decorating Centre and previous Nectar Business Small Business Awards winner, Melissa Snover.
The resultant winners will receive £2,000 cash and 50,000 Nectar points, as well as competing for the unique opportunity to meet and receive tailored expert advice from Sarah Willingham at the Nectar Business Round Table and Awards event, to be held in November this year.
Open for entries until 24 July 2015, the Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of small businesses in the UK. All SMEs, social enterprises, charities and entrepreneurs that demonstrate innovative and sustainable business ideas are invited to enter as many categories relevant to their business. These are:
- Small Business of the Year
- Innovation of the Year
- Home Grown Business of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Tradesperson of the Year
- Contribution to the Community
Sarah Willingham, who will judge the Awards for the first time this year, comments:
“I can’t wait to get involved with the Nectar Business Small Business Awards, helping to discover, support and champion some of the UK’s most brilliant businesses.
“I’ve ‘been there and done that’ so to speak, by launching and managing businesses of my own, so I know first-hand the drive, commitment and sheer hard work that’s required to make a small business succeed, and the fact that this dedication makes the eventual rewards even sweeter.
“I’m especially looking forward to taking my place on the Nectar Business Round Table. It will give me the chance to meet some of the country’s brightest business minds and engage in some lively and inspirational conversations – sharing business tips and examples of best practice along the way.”
Will Shuckburgh, Nectar Managing Director, added: “The Nectar Business Small Business Awards were established in 2008 to recognise the achievements of the UK’s best small businesses, and over the last seven years we’ve received thousands of entries from some of the country’s most inspirational entrepreneurs and dynamic start-ups.
“Not only do the Awards recognise the commitment and drive of small business owners, they provide a fantastic point of difference and mark out the winners as leaders in their field. I encourage all UK SMEs to enter as many categories as possible and I can’t wait to see the talent that 2015 brings.
“Successful entrants will be in good company; previous winners of the Nectar Business Small Business Awards include Fraser Doherty of Super Jam (Entrepreneur of the Year, 2009), Warwick Music (Innovation of the Year 2013), NotontheHighStreet.com and Hungryhouse.co.uk who scooped the Online Business of the Year awards in 2010 and 2011 respectively.”
As in previous years, the Contribution to the Community Award will be open to a public vote, where fans of facebook.com/nectarbusiness page will have their say, helping the five judges decide on who should be this year’s winners.
Businesses can enter as many categories as they like for free. Simply visit: www.nectar.com/smallbusiness to download an entry form and to determine each category’s criteria. Entries can then be submitted online, via email or post.
