Time running out to enter prestigious business awards

Companies have until Tuesday, May 31 to submit entries for the event, which have been described as the ‘Oscars of Yorkshire business’, honouring the brightest and best enterprises in our region.

The Yorkshire Post has been inundated with entries and more are coming in every day. But time is running out.

We believe that Yorkshire is the best place in Britain to do business. Over the years, the biggest names in politics and the corporate world have attended our awards dinner to praise our region’s innate economic strengths.

This year, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands, will provide an insight into the Government’s economic strategy when he addresses the awards dinner.

Fiona Bruce, one of the biggest names in British television, will be the host of this year’s ceremony, which will be held in Leeds on November 4.

The awards, which were established in 2006, celebrate the incredible range of enterprises that have established a base in God’s Own County.

A host of new awards have been introduced this year, which reflect the way business is changing.

We are looking for diversity champions and passionate supporters of apprenticeships as well as firms who go above and beyond when it comes to community responsibility and those which have made inspiring use of commercial space.

There’s also a new turnaround category, which salutes the professionals who are skilled at bringing firms back from the brink, and allowing them to finally achieve their potential.

We welcome entries from companies of all shapes and sizes, and in multiple categories.

The awards honour household names and help to spot the rising stars of the corporate world.

Over the last decade the event has attracted a host of high profile speakers, including David Cameron, who attended when he was leader of the opposition, and the Chancellor George Osborne.

Other senior figures who have spoken at the awards include the former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, and Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister.

A large number of captains of industry have played a prominent role at the glittering awards dinner, including Lord Rose, the former chief executive of Marks & Spencer.

Altogether, there are 14 categories.

Apart from awards linked to the size of a company’s turnover, there are also categories that celebrate great exporters and outstanding employers who understand that it always pays to value your staff. The Young Business category celebrates smaller firms with big ambitions.

There is a special lifetime achievement, which is sponsored by The Yorkshire Post. This award will honour an individual who has consistently gone beyond the call of duty to promote our region’s business interests at home and overseas.

The main sponsors, who have supported the awards since their inception, are DLA Piper, which sponsors the Companies with a turnover over £50m category; PwC, which sponsors Companies with a turnover between £10m and £50m; and Yorkshire Bank, which sponsors Companies with a turnover up to £10m.

The associate sponsors are Plusnet, which heads up the Young Business category; The Sewell Group, which sponsors the Exporter award and Bradford University School of Management, which sponsors the Outstanding Employer category.

Companies are encouraged to consider the positives of their business and celebrate their achievements. Every entrant has a chance to shine in their chosen category.

To enter the awards, visit www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/awards