Business awards urge firms to submit their entries

Businesses are being encouraged to apply for the East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire 2021 Business Awards and have their achievements recognised after a troubling year.

The Business Awards have been running for 10 years and will return this year after taking a 'forced gap year' in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Councils from both of the districts have teamed up to be joint headline partners for the awards in the hope that this year's celebration will be bigger and better than before.

The Gala Awards Evening will take place on Thursday 11 November, once again at the Pirelli Stadium (home of Burton Albion FC).

Dave Bryon, awards director, said: “The past 18 months have been challenging for all businesses, but so many have adapted and found new ways of operating.

"We have already received some entries, and are encouraging all businesses to share their stories and achievements through the awards entry process. This includes individuals within businesses which are eligible for either the Rising Star Award or the Young Employee/Apprentice of the Year. ”

This year's awards will feature 11 categories:

• Business of the Year, sponsored by Dains
• Most Promising Start Up Business, sponsored by Chamber of Commerce
• Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Else Solicitors
• Medium Business of the Year, sponsored by PIB insurance brokers
• Young employee or apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Burton & South Derbyshire College
• Rising Star Award, sponsored by Parker Technical Services
• Employer of Year, sponsored by Infinity IT Solutions
• Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by The Greenbank Group
• Best Customer Service Performance, sponsored by Visdata
• Best Use of Innovation & Technology, sponsored by JCB
• Leisure and Hospitality Award, sponsored by Alive Studios

Pictured: Guests at the 2019 Business Award