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Winner Q&A – Afanti Media
Winner Q&A – Populate Social
Cardiff Business Awards 2023 Announces winners
Finalists announced for the Cardiff Business Awards 2023
Cardiff Business Awards 2023 is live and accepting applications!

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 9 September 2022.
  • 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 9 September 2022 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.

Shortlist

Construction Business of the Year
  • Focus MEP
  • HLM Architects
  • Lattice Build Technology
  • LBS Builders Merchants
  • Pentan Architects
  • Rio Architects
Creative Business of the Year
  • Afanti Media
  • Cardiff Productions
  • Dragon Post Wales
  • Gorilla TV
  • Nimble Productions
Digital Business of the Year
  • EatSleep Media
  • IJPR Media
  • Pobl Tech
  • Populate Social
  • WebBox
Employer Business of the Year
  • CPS Group (UK)
  • Gorilla TV
  • John Lewis
  • Mott MacDonald
  • PureCyber
  • Sphere Solutions
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Emyr Afan - Afanti Media
  • Damon Rands - PureCyber
  • Rachel Fleri - Specialist Security Co
Family Business of the Year
  • Apollo Distribution Solutions
  • Ceaton Security Services
  • Ivor Thomas Funerals
  • LBS Builders Merchants
  • Workbench Serviced Offices
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
  • bedigital
  • Hoop Recruitment
  • Sanctuary Financial Planning
  • The Independent General Practice
Green Business of the Year
  • Creative Spaces Design Ltd
  • Ethical Boutique - Safe Foundation
  • FSEW
  • Mott MacDonald
  • Nuvolt
Innovation Business of the Year
  • FSEW
  • Virtus Tech
  • Wagonex
International Business of the Year
  • BCB International Limited
  • CCS McLays
  • Conexus DX
  • Genesis Biosciences
Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • BBC Cymru Wales Tours
  • Bjorn & Co
  • Clayton Hotel Cardiff
  • Fuel Rock Club
  • voco St.David's
Manufacturing Business of the Year
  • BCB International
  • Cardiff Steels/Engineering Fabrication Limited
  • Creative Spaces Design
Retail Business of the Year
  • John Lewis
  • Oliver Bonas
  • Penhaligon's
  • The White Company
SME of the Year
  • bedigital
  • Bulk Branded
  • CPS Group (UK)
  • FlyForm
  • The Independent General Practice
Start-Up Business of the Year
  • Be Our Chef
  • Eat The Bird
  • Fizz n Flour
  • ntitle Ltd
  • Pobl Tech
Technology Business of the Year
  • Techsol Group
  • Vindico
  • Virtus Tech
  • Wagonex
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
  • Cardiff Third Sector Council
  • Innovate Trust
  • Prostate Cymru
Young Business Person of the Year
  • Connor Wall - Conexus DX
  • Daisy Purkis - Marketing Purks
  • Matthew Read & Ben Miles - The Clothing Culture

Winners

Cardiff Business of the Year
  • Afanti Media
Outstanding Contribution to Cardiff
  • Landsec
Construction Business of the Year
  • Rio Architects
Creative Business of the Year
  • Afanti Media
Digital Business of the Year
  • Populate Social
Employer of the Year
  • John Lewis
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Rachel Fleri - Specialist Security Co.
Family Business of the Year
  • Ceaton Security Services
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
  • Hoop Recruitment
Green Business of the Year
  • FSEW
Innovation Business of the Year
  • Virtus Tech
International Business of the Year
  • Conexus DX
Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • Fuel Rock Club
Manufacturing Business of the Year
  • BCB International
Retail Business of the Year
  • The White Company
SME of the Year
  • bedigital
Start-Up Business of the Year
  • Fizz n Flour
Technology Business of the Year
  • Vindico
Third Sector Business of the Year
  • Cardiff Third Sector Council
Young Business Person of the Year
  • Matthew Read & Ben Miles - The Clothing Culture
Highly Commended
  • Ethical Boutique - Green Business of the Year
  • Lattice Build Technology - Construction Business of the Year
  • Ivor Thomas Funerals- Family Business of the Year
  • Dragon Post Wales - Creative Business of the Year
  • Bulk Branded - SME of the Year
  • ntitle - Start-Up Business of the Year
  • Oliver Bonas - Retail Business of the Year

2023 Sponsors