My blog this week is all about hard-earned awards for businesses who have gone above and beyond the norm in an exceptional year.
On Thursday night this week, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce were privileged to sponsor the ‘Business of the Year Award’ at the Stoke-on-Trent Live Business Awards 2021.
The Business Awards seem even more poignant this year coming at the end of the toughest year for business in living memory.
The Stoke-on-Trent Live Business Awards were an opportunity to reflect the positives of the past year and recognise that for some, 2020 has been a year of opportunity. Whether taking their business online, entering new markets or using their expertise to develop new products and services, many businesses were not only surviving, but thriving.
There were also countless examples of businesses supporting our key workers and the more vulnerable in society. Providing meals to those hit hardest by the pandemic, distributing food to food banks, manufacturing PPE and equipment and raising money for the NHS are just some of the ways in which business saw their role in the collective effort to get through this as one community.
And so, we celebrated the best of the business community with award entrants, fellow sponsors, guests, and everyone from the Sentinel at the online award ceremony. It may be a cliché, but everyone was a winner at the ceremony. Congratulations go to all the winners especially our ‘Business of the Year’ category winner TMT First. The Newcastle based Samsung authorised repair partner have had a great year, winning more repair contracts, and creating jobs in the most difficult of years. Well done to CEO Adam Whitehouse and the team at TMT First.
For a full list of award winners click here: https://bit.ly/32CL2qg
There is another opportunity for Staffordshire businesses to showcase their excellence as we launch the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2021. The competition will open for entry on 19th July and the winners and runners up will be celebrated at a special gala celebration evening on 15th November. We are hopeful that this will be a hybrid event with attendees and a live streaming.
Entry criteria is very similar to the Stoke-on-Trent Live Business Awards, so if you entered that competition, you have already done the hard work.
We will shortly be sending out full details of the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards and publicising them across social media.
Finally, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise launch on 1st May.
These awards are widely considered the highest accolade to be bestowed upon a UK business, celebrating the British companies that have showed outstanding achievement in trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
In 2020 two Staffordshire businesses won Queens Awards for Enterprise, Addmaster (UK)Ltd (Innovation) and Churchill China (International Trade).
I know that there are many more Staffordshire businesses out there deserving of a Queens Award for Enterprise and I hope that you will take time to consider entry. Alternatively, perhaps you work with or know of a business that should enter.
To find out more, check eligibility criteria and to apply, visit: https://bit.ly/3gob4WC
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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