Awards Open for Business

The Sussex Business Awards are now open for business.

Celebrating business excellence across Sussex, the Awards are the longest established scheme of its kind in the county and it is the one that everyone wants to win!

There are fifteen trophies to be won this year including the prestigious Sussex Company of the year, Best International Company, Innovation and Best Customer Service.

For the second year, Mike Herd, the executive director of Sussex Innovation Centre and the Sussex Businessperson of the Year 2000, will be taking his place as Chairman of the Judges.  Mike was also recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

Mike commented: “I am delighted to have been asked to take up the Chair of the Sussex Business Awards once again.

“This year no doubt there will be many other businesses across the region hoping they can follow in the footsteps of 16 winners across all categories. But the real beauty of these Awards is that, no matter who takes the accolades, we can all join together to celebrate business success in this remarkable county.”

Awards organiser Caraline Brown, from Midnight Communications, commented: “I am proud to be involved in these established awards, which have carved a vital place in the business community.

“The Awards demonstrate what a terrific place Sussex is for creating and doing business.

Twenty seven years since they were first launched, the Awards have become an unmissable date in our business diaries and I am delighted that they continue to give local businesses the chance to demonstrate outstanding performance and excellence in their field.”

Four new companies join this year’s scheme:

Thomas Eggar will be sponsoring the search for the county’s Most Promising New Business – always one of the most hotly contested of all the categories.

Vantage Professional Risks will sponsor a brand new award for the Professional Services, Checkatrade.com will sponsor the award for Best Customer Service as well as support from Basepoint Business Centres.

Returning sponsors include Morgan Sindall, HSBC, Domestic & General, Mazars, Sussex Innovation Centre, Checkaprofessional.com, Wealden District Council, Sussex Chamber of Commerce.  The Argus, Heart FM, Title Sussex and Sussex Business Times will be media partners.

Sussex companies have Wednesday 9 September 2015 to prepare their submissions.

There is a small admin fee of £50 (ex vat) to enter one award or £100 (ex vat) for up to three entries. You can also make nominations for the Healthiest Workplace, Best Boss and Outstanding Contribution to Sussex Charity free of charge.

Winners will be announced at The Grand Brighton on 3 December 2015.