Today we launch the 2022 LeicestershireLive Business Awards, celebrating the best businesses – big and small – which have their homes in our great city and county.
Leicestershire has always been a good place to run a business, and down the years has been home to leading entrepreneurs ranging from Dunelm founder Bill Adderley to building tycoons David Wilson and John Bloor.
These are people who have turned small, fledgling firms into nationally-recognised companies – and this year we want to recognise business leaders and businesses which are following in their footsteps. To nominate or find out more click here. The closing date for entries is August 26.
Not only does winning one of these awards mean recognition for management, they are also major morale boosters for employees of all levels – something we all need in these tough economic times.
Likewise, as the economy faces the fresh cost of living and cost of doing business crisis, previous winners have said that scooping a LeicestershireLive Business Award can be great marketing.
This year Reach Plc – parent company of LeicestershireLive and BusinessLive – has taken the awards back in-house for the first time in a decade and shaken up the categories to make them as relevant as they can be to the modern business world.
Those categories are:
Large Business of the Year – supported by headline sponsor Freeths
Medium Business of the Year
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Global Payments
Apprentice of the Year
Professional Services Business of the Year – sponsored by Mattioli Woods
Property and Construction Business of the Year – sponsored by Kings Real Estate
Manufacturing Business of the Year – sponsored by Samworth Brothers
Young Businessperson of the Year (aged 30 and under)
New Business of the Year (running for two years or less)
Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Pattersons Commercial Law
Business of the Year 2022
Apply to the 2022 awards by clicking here
This year’s nominations will be whittled down by a team of independent judges picked by LeicestershireLive Business Editor Tom Pegden with the winners announced during a black tie awards night on Thursday, October 13, at the King Power Stadium. Tickets are on sale now through the Business Awards website here.
The judges will also review the winners of each of category to select the one they believe has shown the greatest track record in recent months and years – which will be named the overall 2022 Business of the Year.
The overall winner does not have to be a large business – but a business of any size which has shown outstanding commercial success, employee support, innovation and creativity.
LeicestershireLive editor Adam Moss said: “We are honoured to be running such a prestigious awards which recognise the hard work, dedication and talent that goes into putting Leicestershire at the very heart of UK Plc.
“These are also the businesses that are helping ensure our country’s economic success in these difficult times. We wish all nominees the very best of luck.”
The headline sponsor of this year’s awards is Freeths Plc, a top 50 full service commercial law firm with a £110 million turnover, and 12 offices spread across the UK.
The growing firm has more than 1,000 members of staff – including many at its Colton Square office in Leicester – and its lawyers are consistently ranked in the top tiers by The Legal 500 and Chambers legal guides. Freeths serves a diverse range of clients both locally and nationally.
Mukesh Patel, managing partner of the Leicester office, said: “Freeths choose to continue its support for the LeicestershireLive Business Awards because they are the pre-eminent awards ceremony in the region and, having supported them for a number of years, we have seen for ourselves how much of a boost they give to the business community.
“These awards can be used to highlight good practice and good decision-making and there is greater value to applying for an award than just winning. Applying for a particular award allows you to look inwardly at your own organisation and evaluate what’s created your recent success.
“It can lead to an increase in morale for staff and even a useful learning process. If you’re not successful on the first attempt, the process will still be positive – it encourages you to believe that you’re worthy of recognition and celebration.
“It's important to take that moment to consciously consider what you’re doing well and take pride in your strengths.
“Leicester has a rich diversity of businesses, from Next down to SMEs. All businesses should be encouraged to put themselves forward for awards – the small business of today could be the large one of tomorrow.
“Freeths are proud to continue their sponsorship of the LeicestershireLive Business Awards and celebrate the success and diversity of the local business community.”
For nominations, tickets and sponsorship opportunities click here.
