Introduction
Thank you for your interest in the Rochford District Business Awards 2025!
The Awards will recognise and celebrate the achievements of our fantastic business community over the past 12 months.
Are you aware of a business, apprentice, employer or entrepreneur that deserves special recognition for their achievements, approach or attitude over the past year? Are you proud of the achievements of your own business? If so, please consider nominating to any of our award categories using our dedicated nominations form.
The categories are listed below:
- Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Backing Essex Business
- Community Impact Award sponsored by S Stibbards & Sons
- Customer Service Award
- Employer of the Year sponsored by Essex Chambers
- Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by The Consortium
- Innovative Business of the Year sponsored by Oxford Innovation Space's 'Launchpad'
- Micro Business of the Year sponsored by 3 Chambers
- SME of the Year sponsored by Rossi
- Start-Up Business of the Year
- Sustainability Award sponsored by Rochford Norse
More details on eligibility criteria and guidelines for nominations are provided below. Nominations are restricted to 3 categories only for each business or individual, with self nominations welcomed.
The closing date for entries is 9pm on Thursday 2 January 2025.
Awards will be handed out at our ceremony on the evening of Thursday 13 February 2025 at The Rayleigh Club, Rayleigh. Further details will follow shortly.
Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines for Completing Supporting Information
In order to be eligible for an award, a business or individual needs to be based or have a fixed presence within Rochford District and have been trading for at least 12 months (with the exception of the Start-Up Business category).
For the eligibility criteria and guidance on specific categories, please refer to the list below.
When completing the supporting information section on the nomination form, please consider the following questions under your relevant category as they will form part of the form. You do not need to respond to all of the questions but they will be used by the judges to help them consider why your business/a business deserves recognition.
Micro Business of the Year 2025
Eligibility: A Micro business does not employ more than 10 employees or have a turnover of more than £632,000. Businesses should demonstrate why they deserve to be recognised as the best in this category.
SME of the Year 2025
Eligibility: An SME business does not employ more than 250 employees or have a turnover of more than £36 million. Businesses should demonstrate why they deserve to be recognised as the best in this category.
Guidance for both Micro Business of the Year & SME of the Year
- How has the business grown its profits and turnover over the last 24 months?
- What is the future vision or strategy for the business?
- How does the business seek to differentiate itself from the competition?
- Has the business been innovative in its approach to the marketplace and improving productivity and quality?
- Has the business diversified? Has this diversification been successful in achieving profit or longer-term goals for the business?
- What contributions does the business make to the Rochford District community?
Apprentice of the Year 2025
Eligibility: For an apprentice that has gone above and beyond in achieving personal or organisational goals that have made a significant contribution to their business.
Guidance for Apprentice of the Year
- How has this apprentice contributed to achieving the objectives of the business?
- How have they gone above and beyond in the workplace?
- Has the apprentice identified any efficiency savings, streamlining of processes or developed any new ideas to assist your business?
Community Impact Award 2025
Eligibility: For a business that has made a positive contribution to the lives and/or livelihoods of their local community and demonstrated a firm commitment towards meeting their social responsibilities. Adding social value through business activities in terms of wellbeing of individuals, communities and/or their physical environment.
Guidance for Community Impact Award
- What social, cultural, economic and/or environmental activity has the business undertaken to benefit the community? Please include detail on how the impact was measured
- What inspired the initiation of these activities? What were the objectives behind them?
- Please provide evidence either with testimonials or data which shows the level of impact these activities have had for the community.
Customer Service Award 2025
Eligibility: For a business that demonstrates a ‘people-first’ attitude, continually improving their customer service, exceeding expectations, and reacting appropriately to ensure customer satisfaction.
Guidance for Customer Service Award
- Please provide evidence either with testimonials or from reputable national business review websites that demonstrates customer satisfaction.
- Can the business demonstrate a high repeat customer base?
- Has the business received any nationally recognised accreditation in Customer Services?
- How does the customer experience this business offers, differ from their competitors?
Employer of the Year 2025
Eligibility: For a business that encourages a dynamic, happy and healthy workplace with sound policies to promote employee wellbeing. Supporting continued learning and development of staff and demonstrating a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Guidance for Employer of the Year
- Can the business demonstrate a happy, motivated, high team morale workplace?
- Does the business have policies to support equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion?
- Does the business continually invest in their workforce and encourage personal and/or professional development?
- Does the business have policies in place to support staff and their wellbeing? Some examples are domestic abuse awareness, mental health first aiders and modern slavery.
Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
Eligibility: For an individual that has been trading for at least 12 months and can demonstrate significant successes in bringing forward new / innovative ideas within their industry
Guidance for Entrepreneur of the Year
- What has the journey been for this entrepreneur? What challenges has the entrepreneur overcome and what have they achieved in the context of their industry/sector?
- What makes the nominee stand out in their chosen industry?
- What are the entrepreneur’s long-term projections in terms of business growth?
- How has the nominee contributed to their local community or other organisations?
Innovative Business of the Year 2025
Eligibility: For a business that has adapted or diversified their revenue streams or accessed new markets through investment in innovative technology or products
Guidance for Innovative Business of the Year
- Describe the innovative product/service
- Has the business invested in a more innovative business model, product or technology? What problem is this looking to address?
- How successful has this innovation been? What are the business’s long-term objectives for this innovation?
- What are the business’s long-term projections in terms of business growth?
Start-Up Business of the Year 2025
Eligibility: For a business that began trading in the past 24 months that can demonstrate significant success in bringing forward new or innovative ideas within their industry
Guidance for Start-Up Business of the Year
- Describe the new product/service
- What are the objectives of the business? What is the gap in the market that the business is looking to fill?
- What have been the business’s achievements to date and what challenges has the business had to overcome?
- What are the business’s long-term projections in terms of growth?
Sustainability Award 2025
Eligibility: For a business that has made a positive impact on the environment by:
- Developing an innovative product or service that directly benefits the climate or environment; or
- Making a significant reduction in their carbon footprint/CO2 output; or
- Investing or innovating in renewable energy, recycling, the education of others, or the development of cleantech.
Guidance for Sustainability Award
- Describe the sustainable or eco friendly product/service
- How does this business model positively impact the environment?
- Has the business changed its business model or invested in a new product or technology that benefits the environment?
- What environmental issues are these activities targeted at (e.g. climate, carbon, energy, waste, wildlife etc.) and what outcomes have been achieved?
- Please provide evidence either with testimonials or data which shows the impact these changes have had