How to enter

There are 12 categories to choose from and there is no limit to the number of categories that you can enter.

Please read through the category descriptions below, select the category you wish to enter from the list, then click ENTER NOW . You'll need to register and set up your account the first time you do this.

Registering your account

When registering, you will receive an email which will have a click-through link and a validation code to validate your account. You will need to complete this step before you can start your nomination. If you do not receive the validation email please email simone.joynes@reachplc.com.

Completing your entry

You can save draft entries and return to edit them as often as you wish before submitting. All you need to do is click on the YOUR ACCOUNT tab on the menu banner and this will take you through to your dashboard where you will find all your draft entries and submitted entries.

When you have finished writing your entry and you are ready to submit, you'll need to agree to the terms and conditions then click the COMPLETE button at the bottom of the page. If your entry is still in draft, you will need to click MOVE TO BASKET at the top of the entry before you can click the COMPLETE button.

If you forget your password, please use the reset password link on the login page.

IMPORTANT INFO - PLEASE READ:

  • Maximum word counts of 400 for the company overview and 800 for the reason for nomination apply
  • A business can be submitted into a maximum of three categories however please tailor your entry according to the category in order to meet judges requirements.
  • Sponsoring companies are not permitted to enter the category they are sponsoring.
  • Entries can be submitted by the business directly or by a third party (agent, client etc).
  • Successful nominations will be notified following the judging session in July.

Categories

This award seeks to recognise the Plymouth businesses that are making a major contribution to the apprenticeship programme by using apprentices or encouraging their use elsewhere. Any type of company or organisation could be included, but it must be employing apprentices or helping other firms with their apprenticeship programme. Training providers will only be considered if they can explain how they are developing the use of apprenticeships.

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Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to a changing marketplace and its strategy for the future.

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This award seeks to recognise the Plymouth businesses that are making a major contribution to the city’s built environment and its infrastructure development. This could include buildings, landscaping, transport networks, or even digital development. Firms could be working in construction, architecture, demolition, landscaping, supply chain operations such as scaffolding or equipment supply, or even painting and decorating.

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Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to a changing marketplace and its strategy for the future.

This award will recognise the business who has demonstrated responsible business practices across the four areas of the local community, environment, their people and supply chain.

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Judges will look for evidence of a contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life. Applicants must demonstrate a working partnership using positive influences to support suppliers and other partners to adopt the best environmental, workplace and community practice.

This award recognises organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce that excels in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity. The category will cover excellence in all areas of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.

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The judges will be looking for a vanguard in business that can demonstrate an effective inclusion and diversity strategy that goes beyond legal compliance and seeks to add value to an organisation, contributing to employee wellbeing and engagement.

Entries must demonstrate how the business has gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, shown commitment and dedication to equality, can exhibit positive results on the organisational culture and prove that they are a true champion of diversity and inclusion.

With Plymouth declaring a climate emergency and aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030 we are seeking applications from businesses leading in environmental sustainability within the city. This is a clean growth award that identifies the steps taken by Plymouth businesses to reduce their CO2 emissions and develop products that will help address the global climate challenge. This could include waste reduction, biodegradable product development, investment in commercial infrastructure or efforts to reduce road miles for staff and products.

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This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisation's success over the past 12 months.

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Applications will be measured against:

  • Originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.
  • All aspects of an innovative new product/service launch, including research and development, launch activity and the actual or likely commercial success of the product/service.
  • Key success factors will include; degree of innovation, time taken to market, design process/best practice, market edge, USP, potential for growth/competition and profitability.
  • Other factors might include job creation/safeguarding, environmental sustainability, use of teamwork, project management capability, customer delight/novelty factor and use of market research. Development to prototype stage only is expressly excluded from this award.

This award seeks to recognise the Plymouth businesses that are making things happen. The type of business and items produced do not matter. What is important is innovation, design, quality, efficiency, sales flair – and all the other skills needed to be a manufacturing winner. Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace and its strategy for the future.

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The judges will be looking at all aspects of the company's performance, paying particular attention to:

  • Managerial and financial performance.
  • Evidence of success against targets set.
  • Potential for growth.
  • Long-term plans and company strategy.
  • Product and service development.

Accounts will be required but all information supplied will be treated in absolute confidence.

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This award will go to the business person who has made a positive and lasting contribution to their business, the local economy and community – over a number of years.

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Our judges want to hear about individuals who have made a lasting contribution to and made a significant impact to the region’s business community.

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This will be awarded to a profitable, growing business, of up to 150 employees, which has had a positive impact on the region's economy.

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The judges will be looking at all aspects of a company's performance, paying particular attention to:

  • Managerial and financial performance.
  • Evidence of success against targets set.
  • Potential for growth.
  • Long-term plans and company strategy.
  • Product and service development.
  • Staff training and development.

Accounts will be required but all information supplied will be treated in absolute confidence.

This award seeks to recognise the Plymouth businesses that are making a major contribution to the city’s economy – and community – by being a social enterprise. This could include companies of any size, but firms must explain what the business does, how they are constituted, for example are they community interest companies or not-for-profit businesses, and how they benefit the community – in other words, what is the social part of the enterprise.

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Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to a changing marketplace and its strategy for the future. Please use these following questions as a guide in preparing your entry submission.

The Start-Up Business of The Year award will go to an organisation that:

  • Has been established within the past three years (August 2018).
  • Demonstrates evidence of entrepreneurship and/or innovation.
  • Has defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow and thrive.
  • Can evidence solid business plans, future growth potential and a determination to succeed.
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The judges will take into consideration managerial performance, sales growth, profit achievement, number of people employed and evidence of a satisfied customer base.

Accounts will be required but all information supplied will be treated in absolute confidence.

This award is open to young entrepreneurs aged 30 and under (by 1st January 2021) who have shown flair, resilience and wisdom beyond their years in building their own business or working for a major employer.

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Judges will be looking for evidence of commercial success, ambition, energy, skill and vision. Please use these following questions as a guide in preparing your entry submission.

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