Small business of the year
Open to those businesses in the region which have been trading for more than a year and have a turnover of less than £1 million

Submissions may include:

• sound financial performance
• staff development
• customer service
• the way in which the business has developed
• the prognosis for future success
• the impact the venture has had on jobs and the community

Sponsored by Ingrams Solicitors

Growth business of the year
Open to those organisations in the region which can demonstrate rapid, planned growth in turnover, profits and jobs over the course of the year.

Submissions may include:

• extent and time scale for sound financial performance
• growth in turnover and profits
• growth in jobs
• the part technology played in your rapid success
• capacity and plans for future growth
• how market was researched

Sponsored by Business Link York and North Yorkshire

Think green business of the year
Open to all businesses in the region which consciously strive to improve the environment.

Submissions may include:

• details of best practice adopted to ensure environmental awareness
• ways sought and found to minimise the impact of operations on the environment
• ways in which the local community has been enhanced or protected
• any “green” partnerships you may have forged
• how market was researched

Sponsored by Denison Till Solicitors

New business of the year
Open to start-up businesses which have been in existence for up to a year.

Submissions may include:

• concept of the business
• market research undertaken
• business plan/main objectives
• budgets/finance/professional advisers in place
• operational issues/human resources/space/suppliers/manufacturing processes
• sales and marketing plan
• distribution system
• credit/training terms
• use of IT
• management of the company

Sponsored by Charterhouse Recruitment

Best business and education link
Open to those businesses in the region which have successfully forged positive links with schools and other educational establishments

Submissions may include:

• the nature of your business, its education link and how it came about
• how the link has helped young people become aware of opportunities to develop themselves and their careers
• the benefits to your organisation and the education sector from this activity
• the approaches you adopt to building your business and education link, and how this has been received.

Sponsored by the University of York

Young business entrepreneur of the year
Open to anyone aged under 30, whether a sole trader, part of a partnership, limited company or plc, where the venture or a significant part has been successful due to the drive, enthusiasm and vision of an individual, either by themselves or as driving force of a team of people.

Submissions may include:

• nature of the business/venture
• motivation of the individual
• resources available and how problems/issues were overcome
• how the individual made the difference
• evidence of success

Sponsored by Severfield Reeve Projects

Progress through people
Open to any employer who has done something special to support staff, to involve them in developing the business or to bring out their full potential. It could be something involving all your staff, a particular team or even a single individual. Size doesn't matter: this award is open to all businesses, whether they employ one person or a thousand.

Submissions may include:

• evidence of commitment to bring out the best in people
• how your organisation harnesses the aspirations of staff to build on its success through, for example, career development
• how you gauge that your people development plans achieve the results you want
• how you ensure fruitful communication throughout your organisation
• how you recognise and reward work well done

Sponsored by Norwich Union

Science and technology business of the year
This award is open to any business operating in one of the three Science City York clusters: bioscience, healthcare and environmental technologies; the creative industries; and IT and digital technologies.

Submissions may include:

• Businesses with a product or service offering based on science or technology, or businesses using innovative science or technology to achieve their objectives, may apply.
• Applicants should be able to provide evidence of improved business performance from use of science or technology, e.g. sales growth or increased profitability.
• Businesses should also be able to demonstrate how a commitment to utilising and developing the local workforce has contributed to their success.
• The award is open to any business that has been trading for at least a year.

Sponsored by Science City York

Retailer of the year
Open to all retailers in the region from the smallest shop to the largest department store. The successful retail operation should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of its enterprise, its customer base and the need for strong business and marketing plans to ensure growth and prosperity.

Submissions may include:

• demonstration of a sound financial performance
• the retail business concept, merchandising standards and customer offer projection
• development of the retail operation through a business plan with clear objectives
• staff development programmes and how their advancement links with your aims
• how you measure your employees' work place environment satisfaction and how they can influence change
• retail awareness and customer service strategies
• new product or service development
• measuring success, and prognosis for further prosperity and growth
• community and charity involvement

Sponsored by York Designer Outlet

Women in enterprise award
Open to all women in business that own and/or manage an enterprise in North Yorkshire of any size. The judges will primarily be looking for evidence of success in business as well as how the winner has acted as a role model for women.

Submissions may include:

• How your business has performed against its objectives
• Evidence of sound financial performance
• Examples of how your leadership has made a difference
• Any gender specific issues that you have had to overcome
• Any advantages that you feel your gender has given your business

Sponsored by Hotel du Vin

Large business of the year
Open to all companies with annual turnover of at least £1 million which can demonstrate outstanding organisation, exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies plus market prowess in its sector.

Submissions may include:

• the success of your principal products and services
• how you market them
• obstacles faced and overcome
• Strategies to motivate and upskill staff
• Future strategy for maintaining growth and dynamism
• Responsibility to the community

Sponsored by Rollits Solicitors

Business personality of the year
Open to all businesses in the region which want to nominate the man or woman demonstrating inspired leadership. Individuals may be considered from all entries in other categories, but specific nominations by the leaders themselves, their colleagues or contacts are welcomed.

Submissions may include:

• how the leader of the organisation galvanises staff.
• examples of their flair and method for getting things achieved
• the general style of leadership
• evidence of the firm's success under the nominee's leadership
• what makes the nominee different from other men or women
• the role and responsibilities of the leading personality in the business
• an outline of his or her personal achievements
• personal challenges which were successfully overcome

Sponsored by Garbutt & Elliott

Tourism & Hospitality business of the year
Open to all businesses in the region designed to welcome, entertain and serve visitors.

Submissions may include:

• systems in place to ensure and improve customer service excellence
• examples of regular review and improvements to your product or service
• clarity of business goals, innovation and investment
• how you market yourself
• how you are helping to draw visitors to York or North and East Yorkshire
• how your plans came to fruition

Sponsored by First TransPennine Express

International trade award
Open to all businesses in the region who contribute to UK trade with the rest of the world

Submissions may include:

• Preparations, including research, to market your goods or services abroad
• extent of investment to create a regular supply chain
• Impact of exports on turnover
• Annotation of jobs increased or - saved - as a result of exports
• Details of collaborative work with offshore partners

Sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)

Lifetime achievement award
There are no submissions for this award, which is internally decided by the judges, although separate suggestions would always be welcome

Sponsored by CPP Group Plc