The Cheshire Business Awards scheme is under way for 2015 and this week we highlight the first two categories for which we are seeking entries.

There are many reasons to enter the Trinity Mirror Cheshire Business Awards in association with SAS Daniels.

Winning, and even being shortlisted, means that you receive recognition for your success, it’s your opportunity to be judged against other businesses by our independent panel of judges and receive recognition for your achievements.

This is a great opportunity to prove to your customers and suppliers just how successful your business is.

It is an independent and prestigious endorsement of the quality of your company - it tells them your company has credibility and can be taken seriously.

Corporate Responsibility and Innovation and Enterprise

Jeremy Orrell, head of the corporate team at SAS Daniels, said: “As on-going supporters of the Cheshire Business Awards, we have experienced first hand how the event continues to bring together the businesses and individuals who make the region a vibrant, successful and diverse place.”

This week we are spotlighthing the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, won last year by coach firm Anthony’s Travel, and the Innovation and Enterprise Award, won in 2014 by Delamere Dairy.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award went to Anthony's Travel
The Corporate Social Responsibility Award went to Anthony's Travel

Corporate Social Responsibility Award:

Does your business have schemes, initiatives or policies which have a positive impact of your local community?

Whether you provide employment opportunities for young or disadvantaged people, show unrivalled support for local charities or even contribute to community schemes, make sure you receive the recognition you deserve and enter this award.

Innovation and Enterprise Award:

This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisations success. Judges will be looking for originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.

Categories

There are 11 categories to choose from and the awards are open to all businesses whatever the size of trade. The categories are:

BSUS programme delivered by Blue Orchid in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Business Start up award:

If your business has been trading for less than two years why not enter this award and receive recognition for your hard work and determination? Our winner will be an entrepreneur who has developed a new business. They may have brought a fantastic new product to market, found a niche area to focus on or overcome all odds to achieve success. Tell us about your business, your market place, your performance and your future plans to win the recognition you deserve.

Business of the Year (up to 10 employees):

Whatever your trade, if you employ between one and 10 employees and can demonstrate achievements in your marketplace with evidence of an excellent business strategy, good financial performance and your potential for the future, enter the small business of the year category.

Business of the Year (11 to 50 employees):

Do you have a great medium sized business? If you employ between 11 and 50 employees and can demonstrate business excellence this is the award for you. The judges will be looking at your achievements, business strategy, financial performance and your potential for the future.

Metronet (UK) Business of the Year (over 50 employees):

If you are the best business in Cheshire employing a workforce of more than 50 this is the category for you. The winning business will be able to demonstrate all round business excellence, financial performance, business strategy and sound future plans.

Your Housing Group Employer of the Year:

We are looking for the employers who can best demonstrate how their leadership and human resource policies support staff development, engagement and satisfaction creating a positive and supportive workplace with a well motivated and well trained team. The winner of this award will be more than just a good company to work for, their culture will deliver commercial results and they will be an inspiration to other businesses.

Investing in the future: Find-it in Cheshire and Warrington Apprenticeship Award:

Apprenticeships are good for both businesses and for individuals. They are an important way of improving the skills base in Cheshire and Warrington, giving young people opportunities beyond the classroom and providing local companies an opportunity to inspire and shape their future workforce. This award is open to any business in the region which has demonstrated a real commitment to training local young people through apprenticeships, providing them with real work experience while being supported by workplace mentors. Apprentices should have been actively engaged in the shaping of working practices and been offered a job on completion, ideally with a plan for further development and/or progression opportunities within the business.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award:

Does your business have schemes, initiatives or policies which have a positive impact of your local community? Whether you provide employment opportunities for young or disadvantaged people, show unrivalled support for local charities or even contribute to community schemes, make sure you receive the recognition you deserve and enter this award.

Bentley Motors Young Business Person of the Year:

Are you or one of your employees able to demonstrate outstanding achievements in your field? Our young business person of the year will be aged 35 or under and will display excellent career progression, leadership and management.

Mersey Forest Green Business Award:

This award celebrates excellence in green practice, strategy and product. Has your business applied environmental policies in the workplace? Do your products or services make a positive contribution to the environment? Have you reduced your carbon footprint through efficiency management? This category recognises a local business that shows evidence of a green ethos which has a commercial return for the business.

Innovation and Enterprise Award:

This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisations success. Judges will be looking for originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.

SAS Daniels Business Person of the Year:

The Business Person of the Year is a judges’ choice award and not open for entry. The winner selected by the judges will be an individual who stands out from the crowd, has an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrates outstanding achievement and inspires others around them. The winner of this award will have been instrumental to the success of their business, growing the reputation of both their business and the region.

How to enter

To enter visit our website www.cheshirebusinessawards.co.uk and download an entry form, alternatively call the events team on 01244 606472 or email enquiries@cheshirebusinessawards.co.uk to request a copy. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 10.

All entries received will be reviewed by our independent panel of judges and the shortlists announced in September.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, October 2 at Chester Cathedral.