WITH a little under three months until the Times Business Awards, there are still opportunities for organisations to get involved and celebrate the best in business the local area has to offer.
Six businesses have already signed up to support the 2023 awards ceremony, which takes place on March 30 at the Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells. Four award sponsorships are still available and there is also an opportunity for a headline sponsor.
One new sponsor for the 2023 Times Business Awards was himself a winner at the last ceremony in March 2022.
Andrew Mann was named Entrepreneur of the Year for his company Clarity Homes & Commercial, which provides services and project management to the property industry. With Clarity now sponsoring the new Green Business award, Mr Mann explained why the category appealed to his firm.
“After winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award last year, I was keen to sponsor a category that celebrates progressive and proactive businesses,” he said.
“The environment is something we should all be concerned about, and it is something we try to address on every project as a responsible construction company.”
Tunbridge Wells-based designer childrenswear retailer Childrensalon have been regular sponsors since the second Business Awards in 2017 – having been named Outstanding Business at the inaugural event in 2016.
Childrensalon CEO Michele Harriman Smith told the Times: “It is wonderful to sponsor the Family Business of the Year award.
“We enjoy meeting other family businesses that are growing and experiencing the same challenges as we have, and we look forward to taking part again in the future.”
The gala night on March 30 will be hosted by media personality Nick Ferrari.
While the deadline for entry is February 20, the Times will be profiling some of the early entries over the next few months.
Entry is free and forms are now available at TimesBusinessAwards.co.uk.
THE CATEGORIES
SPONSORSHIP opportunities are still available for the 2023 Times Business Awards and gala dinner. Sponsors are encouraged to enter the Business Awards, but cannot enter the category that they sponsor.
Start-Up Business of the Year (Sponsor TBC) Companies founded since January 2021, which have really been attracting notice.
Creative Business of the Year (Sponsor TBC)
This is a strong sector for Tunbridge Wells, covering the creative, design, marketing and PR sectors which have made our town their home.
Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by Charles Stanley) An entrepreneur is more than just a business person. Entrepreneurs turn their ideas into business opportunities and may run more than one company.
Green Business of the Year (Sponsored by Clarity Homes & Commercial) This new award category will recognise companies for their commitment to the environment, whether through reducing energy usage, ‘localising’ their supply chains or any other green initiatives.
Charity of the Year (Sponsor TBC) In this new award category, judges will analyse the charities and not-for-profit organisations which play such a positive role in the life of our area, looking for impact, sustainability and imagination.
Best in Food and Drink (Sponsored by NFU Mutual) This award is for the local companies producing or serving truly remarkable food and drink. Entries are welcomed from fine dining restaurants, gastropubs, simple cafés and food and drink producers – any company which can demonstrate how it puts Tunbridge Wells or the local area on the map with its gastronomic excellence.
Best Family Business of the Year (Sponsored by Childrensalon) The judges will be looking for the business that best demonstrates how running a family business has added significantly to its competitive advantage. The winner will need to show how being a family business has had a positive impact on its achievements.
Best Business 1-25 Employees (Sponsor TBC) This award category is for the companies with a workforce of up to 25 which has maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, both meeting its customers’ expectations and supporting its employee’s welfare and growth.
Best Business 26+ Employees (Sponsored by The Finance Hub) Consistent growth, financial performance and an engaged, positive workforce are just some of the criteria that set these companies apart other medium to large businesses in the area.
Outstanding Business of the Year (Sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore) This award will reveal which company demonstrates the best combination of growth, ambition and quality of management in the area. The ‘outstanding’ company has delivered on a compelling business strategy, while developing its employees’ skills and looking after staff.
