Categories
Construction Business of the Year
- This award recognises those Cardiff-based companies that have made a real impact in the construction and building services sector.
- The judges are looking for construction businesses that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Creative Business of the Year
- This award recognises those businesses in Cardiff that are operating in the highly important creative and digital sectors.
- The judges are looking for creative companies that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Digital Business of the Year
- This award recognises the outstanding digital enterprises in Cardiff, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the dynamic digital sector.
- The judges want to see the digital companies that have not only achieved remarkable growth and financial success but also that demonstrate a commitment to innovation, exceptional customer engagement and a clear strategic vision for sustained future prosperity.
Employer of the Year
- This award will recognise those businesses in Cardiff that continuously invest in their employees for sustainable growth and development. They must also pay at least the real Living Wage to all employees aged over 18.
- The judges are looking for evidence of staff development, employee voice, retention and recruitment; career development and training for employees; commitment to diversity; payment of the real Living Wage and the embedding of a learning culture.
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Entrepreneur of the Year
- This award will recognise those individuals who have shown the desire to succeed with their own ideas and have had the ambition to turn those ideas into a successful business.
- The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership and personality in the development of their own business.
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Family Business of the Year
- This award will recognise and celebrate the major role that family businesses have made to Cardiff over the years.
- The judges are looking for family businesses that can demonstrate sustainable growth, a clear vision for continuing long-term success and a contribution to the local economy.
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Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
- This award is open to any business operating in the financial and professional services sector.
- The judges are looking for companies that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
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Green Business of the Year
- This award recognises those businesses for whom sustainability is at the core of their activities or whose products, processes or practices have resulted in significant environmental improvement.
- The judges are looking for businesses that have developed an environmental product, process or service or have built sustainability into the strategic operations of the business, either of which has resulted directly in increased profitability.
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Innovation Business of the Year
- Recognising those businesses that have achieved growth through innovation driven entrepreneurship.
- For this category, innovation is broadly defined and could include technology, product or process innovation.
International Business of the Year
- This award is open to any Cardiff business that is trading overseas.
- The judges are looking for evidence of a detailed internationalisation strategy, growth in overseas markets and a commitment to improving export performance.
Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year
- This award is open to any business based in the Leisure and hospitality sector in Cardiff.
- The judges will be looking for businesses that demonstrate exceptional commitment to provide an outstanding experience for visitors, tourists and business travellers.
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Manufacturing Business of the Year
- This award is open to any Cardiff based company in the manufacturing and engineering sector.
- The judges are looking for businesses that are using cutting edge manufacturing techniques to create new high-quality products.
Retail Business of the Year
- This award is open to any retail business either online or physical retail
- The judges will be looking for businesses that demonstrate retail excellence. Businesses will have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
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SME of the Year
- This award is open to all organisations with less than 250 staff and a turnover less than €50million
- The judges are looking for those SMEs demonstrating significant growth or expansion, innovation in products, services or processes, exceptional customer engagement, effective leadership and management and strong financial results.
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Start Up Business of the Year
- The start-up award aims to celebrate and support Cardiff’s newest businesses. Entrants to this award must be independent and have been trading for up-to a maximum period of three years on 8th November 2024.
- The judges will be looking for real passion, a strong plan, an innovative product or service and exceptional forecasts for further growth.
Technology Business of the Year
- The Technology award recognises the success of companies that have created and developed innovative products or processes that have improved the performance of the organisation or led to significant job creation.
- The judges will be looking for a technology-based firm with a clear commitment to research and development, innovation and future growth potential. Applicants need to describe the technology and how it has benefited the company and/or customers.
Third Sector Business of the Year
- Calling all charities, not-for-profit organisations, campaigners and volunteer groups - here is your chance to showcase your work and achievements.
- The judges want to hear from large and small charities, hospices, third sector organisations and non-profits that are helping those in need, bringing about real social change or raising awareness and campaigning on key issues.
Young Business Person of the Year
- This award is made to individuals under the age of 30 on 8th November 2024 who are involved in business. These include young entrepreneurs that are building their own venture or those employees who have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.
- The judges are looking for individuals who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. Applicants should have raised the profile of their organisation, developed and implemented plans that have achieved growth, and who have exceeded customer expectations.
Shorlist
Construction Business of the Year
- Mott MacDonald
- Pentan Architects
- Urban Centric
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Creative Business of the Year
- Bad Wolf
- Bang Post Production
- Morrish & Co
Digital Business of the Year
- Appear Online
- FitPro Lead Gen
- Route Media
- Techsol Ltd
Employer of the Year
- Effective Communication
- Hoop Recruitment
- New Directions
- Pentan Architects
- Whisper Cymru
Sponsored by
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Emyr Afan – Afanti
- Dominic Meletti – Hedge Trimming Cardiff
- James Shapland – Coffi Lab
- Louise Harris – Tramshed Tech
- Rhys Harrington – The Dragon Group
Sponsored by
Family Business of the Year
- Afanti Media Ltd
- Dale Building Maintenance Ltd
- Mossfords
- Snow White Laundries
Sponsored by
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
- Checks Direct
- Conexus DX
- Hoop Recruitment
- Techsol
Sponsored by
Green Business of the Year
- BCB International
- Cardiff Cycle Workshop
- Nuvolt
- voco St David's Cardiff
Sponsored by
Innovation Business of the Year
- clear_pixel VR
- Steer IT Solutions Ltd
- Tramshed Tech
- Whisper Cymru
Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year
- Bootlegger Bars
- Roxy Leisure
- Spiros Cardiff
- Treetop Golf
- Utilita Arena Cardiff
- voco St David's Cardiff
Sponsored by
Manufacturing Business of the Year
- 3D Print Land
- BCB International
- Lunia 3D
Retail Business of the Year
- Cardiff Gold
- Oliver Bonas
- Reiss
- The White Company
Sponsored by
SME of the Year
- FleetEV
- NetSec
- We Are Optimo
- Steer IT Solutions
Sponsored by
Start-Up Business of the Year
- Appear Online
- Darogan Talent
- Weboss
- 3D Print Land
Technology Business of the Year
- Checks Direct
- clear_pixel VR
- Datamonet
- FitPro Lead Gen
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
- Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale
- Cardiff City FC Community Foundation
- City Hospice
- Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club
Young Business Person of the Year
- Jake Colley-Davies – Caradoc Conditioning
- Ken Pearce – Lunia 3D
- Myles Peart – NetSec
- Sally Williams -Mott MacDonald
