The 2021 Sheffield Business Awards return on December 9 to celebrate the achievements of businesses, big or small, with four new award categories.
The Sheffield Business Awards will take place at Peddler Market’s well-known Burton Road venue, for a night of celebration, networking, and culinary delights.
Sponsored by CMS, one of the largest law firms in the world, the event will be organised by unLTD and our partners Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and will take a much more informal approach than previous years.
After 18 months of virtual working and life being turned upside-down, the night will focus more on celebration than anything else.
unLTD editor Richard Fidler said: “I think we’re all due a great night and a celebration of the brilliant businesses in Sheffield. There is such a diverse mix of people in our city who are creating and delivering some unbelievable work in the most challenging circumstances.
“The awards will be an extension of the community we have built since we launched four years ago, and we are thrilled to be partnering with our good friends at Sheffield Chamber to host what I know will be an amazing occasion.”
Sheffield Chamber executive director Alexis Krachai said: “Sheffield Chamber is once again showing we know how to collaborate. We are teaming up with our friends at unLTD in a partnership that will take the Sheffield Business Awards to the next level.
“It has been a hell of an 18 months. Even if you sailed smoothly through the pandemic and have a bumper order book, the last year has seen every business face real challenges.
“The Sheffield Business Awards will not just be a great night out and a key date in the diary, but also an opportunity for us all to showcase Sheffield as home to some of the best businesses in the UK.”
As part of the new partnership, the award categories have been rebooted, simplifying the entry process, and ensuring that any business, social enterprise or charity has the opportunity to shine.
There are 14 different award categories for 2021, with the following four categories added this year:
The Planet Saver
This award has been created to recognise a company or product which is leading the way in creating a sustainable environment for all, and therefore, putting Sheffield on the map.
The product or company will not only address a need but also seize an opportunity to create a new market, and must be in working, marketable condition.
Aimed at any business from any sector, based in Sheffield or a member of Sheffield Chamber, the judges will consider how the business opportunity was identified and developed, the understanding of the product, market and competitors, the use of innovative emerging technologies, success in addressing a need and evidence of how the product has become established, capturing interest from Sheffield and beyond.
The Social Impact Award
This award will recognise a not-for-profit organisation, charity or social enterprise that has significantly contributed towards social impact in Sheffield.
The judges, for this award, are looking for evidence that your activity has contributed towards social impact in Sheffield, that there is evidence of involvement from different cultures or backgrounds to advance a common initiative for the betterment of all people, and evidence of job creation either paid or voluntary, as well as evidence of opportunities created and statistics to support your application.
Start-Up Business of the Year
This award will recognise a business that has been created since January 2020 and has achieved a significant breakthrough in its sector. Entrants for this award must demonstrate exceptional growth in:
- Sales
- Profit
- Market share
- International trade
- Product and / or service expansion
- Numbers employed / job creation
- Or all of the above.
Open to any start-up businesses since January 1, 2020, from any sector, based in Sheffield or a member of Sheffield Chamber, the judges are looking for significant growth in one or all the above categories, innovative products, services and /or operations that have led to this growth, and sustainable financial performance and business strategy with plans for future growth.
The Joymaker
This award has been created to recognise an organisation that has significantly contributed to the hospitality, retail or leisure sector or visitor’s experience in Sheffield.
The submission should discuss how the contribution has either driven footfall to the region, generated jobs, economic growth or profile for Sheffield, entertainment, positive brand image for the region, statistics to support your application and a USP (unique selling point).
The judges are looking for evidence that the business’ activity has increased footfall to Sheffield, with evidence of economic value to Sheffield, and of a positive impact for visitors.
The other categories are:
- Employer of the Year
- The Brand Builder
- Large Business of the Year
- The Global Player
- SME of the Year
- The Innovator
- The Above and Beyond-er
- The Sheffield Maker
- The Automator
- The Visionary.
The categories are open to any business of any size or any sector, based in Sheffield or a member of Sheffield Chamber.
Whether you plan to enter, attend, sponsor a category or simply just to celebrate with the winners online, get involved in the 2021 Sheffield Business Awards.
For more information visit www.sheffieldbusinessawards.org.uk or email sheffieldbusinessawards@scci.org.uk.
