THE TIMES Business Awards is returning in 2024 to find the best businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells – and local companies now have the chance to sponsor an awards category.
The seventh edition of the annual awards ceremony promises to be another showstopper, with two new categories and former Strictly star-turned-business entrepreneur Brendan Cole as the celebrity host. The event is also a fantastic opportunity to network at one of the region’s biggest business socials of the year.
Next year’s gala dinner will take place in the Victorian Theatre at Salomons Estate on Thursday March 14, 2024.
There are ten categories available to sponsor including two new ones for 2024: Food & Drink Hero and Retailer of the Year.
Retailer of the Year recognises outstanding contributions made to the local area by a retailer, while Food and Drink Hero is for the best companies in food and drink, with a focus on those who source locally and sustainably.
In a first for the event, these new awards will be voted for by the general public. More details will be announced at the beginning of next month.
There is an award that’s suitable for every business trading in the town and borough of Tunbridge Wells to sponsor.
These include Creative Business of the Year, Green Business of the Year and Charity of the Year, which returns for the second year and honours local charities and not-for-profit organisations who play a positive role in the life of our area.
In Best Family Business of the Year, judges will be acknowledging businesses that show how being a family business has had a positive impact on its achievements.
Other Times Business Awards celebrate environmental achievements, creativity, and businesses of varying sizes.
As and when categories have a new sponsor, the Times will reveal who they are in its business pages.
Apart from the aforementioned two new categories being voted for by the public, the winners in all the others will be chosen by a panel of independent judges.
These are drawn from a range of sectors, with each selected to bring their unique insight into not only what makes a good company, but also what makes business good for the local area.
Launching in 2016, the glitzy awards ceremony showcases the best businesses the area has to offer and welcomes over 200 guests to the gala evening. Over the years celebrity presenters have included former MPs Michael Portillo and Edwina Currie, Radio DJ Ken Bruce and Strictly’s Anton du Beke have overseen the popular awards ceremony.
This year we look forward to welcoming Brendan Cole who will host the evening at Salomons Victorian Theatre on March 14.
Commenting on his involvement Brendan said last week: “I am pleased to have been asked to present the Times Business Awards for 2024. I’m looking forward to being part of honouring the best businesses that have triumphed over the past year.”
THE BEST IN LOCAL BUSINESS
Each category is available for sponsorship. For details please contact Robin Singer at: robin.singer@onemediauk.co.uk
START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award recognises companies founded since January 2022, which have been attracting lots of attention.
CREATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This is a very strong sector for Tunbridge Wells, covering the creative, design, marketing and PR sectors which have made our town their home.
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
For this category, judges will analyse the charities and not-for-profit organisations which play such a positive role
in the life of our area.
GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This category will recognise companies for their commitment to the environment, whether through reducing energy usage, ‘localising’ their supply chains or any other green initiatives.
BEST FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
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
This award is for companies with a workforce of up to 25 which have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, both meeting customer expectations and supporting employee welfare and growth.
BEST BUSINESS 26+ EMPLOYEES
Consistent growth, financial performance and an engaged, positive workforce are just some of the criteria that set these companies apart from other medium to large businesses in the area.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
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.
TWO NEW CATEGORIES:
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
This new award, nominated by the general public, will recognise outstanding contributions made to the local area by a retailer. Open to retailers large or small, with a local or national presence.
FOOD AND DRINK HERO
This new category, also voted for by the general public, is for local companies that produce or serve the very best in food and drink, especially those that source locally and sustainably. All kinds of establishments are eligible, from fine-dining restaurants to small-scale producers.
For more details, visit the dedicated website: timesbusinessawards.co.uk
