Categories

There are 12 categories and we hope that the awards will give your company, charity or organisation the opportunity to take stock of your performance and gain the recognition that you deserve. Good luck!

Diversity Award

Open to business, charity or organisation of any size, the winner will be able to demonstrate true commitment to diversity. They will be able to evidence their work to create a diverse workforce including through collaborating with other businesses, charities and organisations to share best practice.

Innovation Award

Open to business, charity or organisation of any size, this award will be made to those that can demonstrate exceptional true commitment to innovation. They will be able to evidence how they have innovated to solve a particular challenge, create a new product or service.

STEM Award

Open to business, charity or organisation of any size, this award will be made to those that can demonstrate an exceptional true commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. This may be evidenced through their products and services or through work with young people, schools, colleges or apprentices to inspire and develop the next generation.

Sustainability Award

Open to business, charity or organisation of any size, this award will be made to those that demonstrate exceptional true commitment to sustainability. The business, charity or organisation will be able to evidence steps taken to improve sustainability within any area of activity or operations.

Coastal Powerhouse Award

Open to business, charity, organisation or a cohort of any size, this award will be made to those that have proven themselves as a driver or catalyst for growth within a coastal community. Your values, passion and vision are helping transform your community into a Coastal Powerhouse, and this award will bring the recognition you deserve.

International Trade Award

Open to businesses of any size, this award will be made to a business that is actively involved in international trade. You will have significantly increased your import/export activity or attracted Foreign Direct Investment. This will be evidenced through increased revenue and job creation.

Employer of The Year Award

Open to business, charity or organisation of any size, this award recognises organisations that have created a stimulating and supportive work environment and a real commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce. The winner will be able to evidence dedication to personal and professional development, staff satisfaction and HR initiatives, creating a supportive and engaging working environment.

Start-up of The Year Award

To be eligible for this award, entrants must:

• Have started to trade no earlier than three years from the date of entry.
• Be ‘independently owned’. This is defined as a business which is substantially owned by its founders and/or a group of independent investors, is not quoted on the stock market or any other stock market; and is not a subsidiary or associated company of another business.
• Be UK based.

For every category the judges are looking for a great business. Those with excellent potential will always rank more highly in the final reckoning. This will be based on revenue growth, profitability, and major-client wins.

Future Skills Award

Open to a business, charity or organisation of any size, this award recognises those that have made a tangible contribution to meeting the future skills needs of the sector. The winner will be able to evidence pioneering activity across education, training or apprenticeship development, to help match available skills to the emerging and future requirements of the industry. This could be on a micro level, within a region or across the country.

Rising Star Award

This award will be made to someone under the age of 30 whose contribution has made a real and positive impact on the business, charity or organisation with whom they work. Nominations should be made by the organisation on behalf of the person they would like to put forward. Nominees can be at any stage in their career or training and may be working in any role within the organisation including apprentices or volunteers.

Business of The Year Award

Open to businesses of any size, this award will be made to a business that has demonstrated a real understanding of its target market and positioned or adapted itself accordingly, showing impressive growth/growth potential, and sustainability in terms of one or more of the following: job creation; turnover and/or national/international impact.

2050 Award

Open to businesses of any size, this award will be made to a business that is taking steps to capitalise upon the opportunities presented within Maritime 2050.