This award is open to anyone currently studying for an apprenticeship or who has recently completed one in any sector or industry. Nominees should show outstanding progress and commitment to their own personal development and give example(s) of projects or initiatives they have worked on in collaboration with their employers.

Judges will be looking for evidence of candidates going above and beyond the day-to-day routine of classroom-based study and on-the-job training. They should demonstrate how they have brought drive and commitment to the role alongside effective change within the workplace.

Important: to enter this category, you must have either: Started your apprenticeship before 21st March 2022 Or finished your apprenticeship on or after 21st September 2021 (i.e. January 2022 is acceptable but August 2021 is not)

This award recognises organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce that excels in their commitment to equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity. The category will cover excellence in all areas of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion. The judges will be looking for a vanguard in business that can demonstrate an effective inclusion and diversity strategy that goes beyond legal compliance and seeks to add value to an organisation, contributing to employee well being and engagement.

Entrants will be asked to describe their policies around sustainability as well as demonstrate how they handle certain productions. Judges will focus on businesses that have used sustainability to improve performance and have shown investments within their products and/or services to make themselves more sustainable as a company. Entries are welcome from all sectors.

A cultural organisation or business that has shown innovation in any area of their business over the last 12 months. This could be a new commercial venture, fundraising or investment programme, capital project, leadership development, environmental sustainability project or audience or community engagement strategy, for example. This award is open to all arts and cultural organisations, charities, CIC's and those working in the commercial and not-for-profit sector. The winner will be able to demonstrate an innovative approach to a challenge or opportunity and be able to describe the impact it has made on their business and community.

This award will reward an organisation that has generated substantial and sustained increases in export activity. The judges will be tasked with considering all aspects of the company, looking at their unique offering and business approach, as well as the level of international trade achieved and the measurable financial results of this. Entries are welcome from all sectors.

This category celebrates companies that have upheld the manufacturing traditions of the Coventry area while continuing to strengthen the regional economy. All finalists will demonstrate a dedication to manufacturing excellence with emphasis placed on quality, sales performance, sustainability and investment. Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya was an immense loss to the business and academic landscape of Coventry and Warwickshire when he passed away - but he has left behind an amazing legacy. Britain’s first ever Professor of Manufacturing, Lord Bhattacharyya was the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, which he grew into a world-renowned centre for innovation and collaboration. To pay tribute to the well respected academic and business leader this award is dedicated to him.

We are welcoming entries from companies across all sectors that have been in business for up to three years - as of Thursday, October 14, 2021. Entries must showcase the contribution the nominee has made to the region and its future plans for success. Judges will assess business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years. Entries are welcome from all sectors.

The companies nominated for this award will have demonstrable strengths in service excellence, business growth, innovation, technology, training and personal development. This category covers all professional services companies and judges will be looking for those achieving and surpassing measurable business goals on behalf of their clients.

We are looking for entries from companies whose primary business activity is property, estate management, regeneration, construction or development.

This category covers online, boutique and high-street retailers rising to the challenges of this sector’s ever-changing economic landscape. Entries from independents, chains, department stores, shopping centres and e-commerce sites are all welcome for this category.

Judges will consider the prospective growth and development opportunities for the future of each business. Entries are welcome from all sectors. The category is open to companies which normally employ no more than 75 full-time members of staff and have shown marked success over the year.

Calling all charities, not-for-profit organisations, campaigners and volunteer groups - here is your chance to showcase your work and achievements. We 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.