Croydon Business Awards Sponsor Pic: Prospects Services

The Croydon Business Awards 2014 are now open to nominees, following an official launch at Fairfields Halls last night.

The annual event, organised by Prospects Business Support, recognises business achievements such as ‘Commitment to the Community’, ‘Best Green Business’, and ‘Best Business for Training and Development’.

“People should enter to get recognition for the hard work that their companies have done,” said Julie Leggat, the Project Manager for Prospects Business Support.

“It is great for companies to say they are an award winning business, but it also helps companies that don’t win, as the awards really help people to look at their business plans and review and improve them.”

As well as honouring company successes, the Awards also commemorate individual achievement, through awards like The ‘FSB’ Real Life Entrepreneur, with the help of The Federation of Small Businesses.

South London Business Council Chairman and event affiliate, Sir Bob Scott, said: “The message from SLB is that the way out of this recession is through the small and medium businesses and through the private sector.”

Attendees at the Croydon Business Awards launch Pic: Prospects Services

New categories introduced this year include Best Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism Business, Best Business for Apprenticeships and Employment for Young People, and Best Business for International Trade.

Last years winners included Barclays, who won the ‘Business of the Year’ title, Sutton United FC, who won the award for ‘Best Business for Customer Service’, and the Croydon Park Hotel, which was awarded the title for ‘Best New Business’.

Entrants will be judged by the Awards’ sponsors, including Croydon Council, Fairfield Halls, and the FSB, as well as by independent business advisors.

The shortlisted candidates and award winners will be announced in March next year.