Newsquest Cumbria's Business Awards shortlist to be decided

The three shortlisted businesses and people in each category of the in-Cumbria Magazine Business Awards 2024 will be announced on our in-Cumbria website on Wednesday, September 11 with more details about each business in the October edition of the magazine.

The judges will meet in Newsquest Cumbria’s office in Carlisle to spend the day discussing the entries and deciding which ones will be selected. Joined by Newsquest Cumbria’s regional editor Joy Yates, the judges this year are Rebecca Graves, NRL; Carol O’Donoghue, Cartmell Shepherd; Rachael Bell, of Rachael Bell Wealth Management; Ben Heslop, BIPC programme manager; Graham Lamont, of Lamont Pridmore; Kelly Ashbridge, The Cumberland; Phil Redfern, React Engineering; John Sidney, University of Cumbria; Caroline Barber, 32 West; Rachael Seal, David Allen and Jayne Moorby, Oxley Developments.

 The winners will be announced by host and broadcaster Zara Janjua at the awards when they take place at Dalston Hall on November 29. 

This year’s awards, in association with NRL,  will offer new entertainment for guests, including an after-show party featuring a DJ, sax player and casino following the awards ceremony. 
“As well as our wonderful judges we couldn’t put these awards on without our amazing sponsors. So many of them have backed us over the years and also been previous winners. We appreciate the support of each and every one of them. This year we are promising more surprises than ever and we couldn’t stage such an exciting event without the sponsors putting their belief in us. So a huge thank you to NRL, BAE, Rachael Bell Wealth Management, David Allen, Cartmell Shepherd, The Cumberland, Lamont Pridmore, React Engineering, University of Cumbria, KBR and 32 West,” said Emily Wood, Newsquest’s sales director for Cumbria and Lancashire.

THE AWARDS 

ROBIN BURGESS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Sponsored by BAE Systems 

NEW FOR 2024 

BEST DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BUSINESS  - Sponsored by KBR

We are looking for a business which can demonstrate a commitment towards diversity and inclusion, reflected in the company's values. So, who has impressed you with their strategies and policies, but also with their passion for fairness and determination to deliver equality everywhere? The business should foster an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. 

BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Rachael Bell Wealth Management

This award is for a businessperson who has made an outstanding contribution to their company in the last year. You can put yourself forward or be nominated by another person. The judges will be looking for someone who has: 

·     Demonstrated exceptional commitment 

·     Shown inspirational leadership and vision 

·     Had a significant impact on improving the performance of the business 

APPRENTICE/TRAINEE OF THE YEAR  - Sponsored by David Allen 

This award will go to the apprentice or trainee who in the view of both the employer and the judges has demonstrated: 

·     Real dedication to the apprentice or trainee programme 

·     An enthusiastic attitude toward learning 

·     A clear application of knowledge and skills learned 

BEST LARGE BUSINESS - Sponsored by Cartmell Shepherd 

This award will recognise a business with 51 employees or more that can demonstrate: 

·     Strong leadership and vision 

·     Sustained growth and sound financial performance 

·     Innovation and differentiation within the business 

BEST SME BUSINESS  - Sponsored by The Cumberland 

This award will recognise a business with one to 50 employees that can demonstrate: 

·     Strong leadership and vision 

·     Good sales growth and sound financial performance 

·     A robust plan for sustained growth 

BEST NEW BUSINESS 

The award is open to a successful company that has been in operation for less than three years. The judges will be interested to know: 

·     The motivations for starting the business 

·     How it has developed and what has been achieved so far 

·     The vision for the future and how aims to accomplish it   

BEST FAMILY BUSINESS  - Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore 

The judges will be looking for a family-owned or family-managed business which has at least two members of a family involved in running it, and which can clearly demonstrate how it has achieved success. Entries must demonstrate: 

·     How the family business ethos runs through the company 

·     What success has been enjoyed – such as financial performance, order book, jobs, sustainability, longevity, positive impact on community and local economy – and how has it been achieved 

·     How the values of a family business have underpinned that success 

·     How the family business is building for the future 

BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY – Sponsored by NRL 

This award will recognise a business that can demonstrate an outstanding level of professional service delivery. The winner will be able to demonstrate: 

·     Strong professional credentials, including high professional accreditation levels of senior managers 

·     Successful promotion of brand identity and its impact on the company’s success 

·     Professionalism in service-delivery 

BEST GREEN BUSINESS  

Judges are looking for businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to reducing their environmental impact across all operations. Key considerations include efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and investments in renewable energy. Additionally, the company should prioritise sustainability and innovation, actively seeking ways to minimise its environmental footprint while fostering positive environmental change. 

BEST COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT  - Sponsored by React Engineering 

This award will go to a business that can show its proactive commitment to putting something back into their local community. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the proportionate investment by the business in terms of time and effort, as opposed to pure cash contributions. Examples of activity could be: 

·     Providing financial support to community projects 

·     Giving practical assistance in terms of time or expertise 

·     Allowing charities, schools or community organisations to benefit from the resources of the business 

FLYING THE FLAG FOR CUMBRIA AWARD  - Sponsored by The University of Cumbria 

This award is open to Cumbrian-headquartered businesses that are well and truly putting the county on the map with the products and services they offer. The winner will be able to demonstrate: 

• How they have developed new or grown existing markets across the UK and/ or overseas 

• How this has translated into sales 

• Plans for further growth backed by evidence it can be sustained  

BEST MARKETING PROFESSIONAL/TEAM - Sponsored by 32 West  

The expert judges will be on the hunt for an individual or team who has achieved exceptional results in raising brand awareness for their organisation and in the last 12 months has: 

• Shown how their understanding of marketing has helped identify a clear market opportunity to launch a new product or develop an existing one  

• Documented a creative marketing strategy to realise the market opportunity  

• Implemented an action plan to deliver the strategy with positive measurable results  

To view our latest edition and past issues, visit in-cumbria.com/magazines