Nominations open for Salisbury's Business Excellence Awards 2023

This year’s categories are:

Start-up Business of the Year, sponsored by the Salisbury Journal

Open to a new business that has been trading for at least two years and less than five and can demonstrate success and sustainability.

The Salisbury Journal is proud to be sponsoring this award. 

Innovation award

The Innovation award is being sponsored by 2022 winners SGS Heating and Electrical  and will recognize a business that provides innovative technology, product, or service that ultimately improves performance and reduces costs, benefitting the business and customers.

SGS said: "As Salisbury’s local leading supplier for heating and electrical solutions and services, SGS are proud to sponsor the Business Excellence Award for Innovation.

"We completely understand the impact innovation plays in every day life, especially when it comes to saving costs, energy and the planet - so we embrace others that use innovation to benefit their business and their customers and welcome the opportunity to share success with them. Best of luck to all those that entered this award!”

Sustainable Business (Green) Award

The Sustainable Business Award is sponsored by Grist Environmental Services and is open to a business that can demonstrate its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint in all it does and in the most sustainable way.

Grist Environmental Services said: "Grist Environmental are proud to be the sponsor of the Sustainable Business Award 2023 in partnership with Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and Salisbury BID. As a waste management business we are acutely aware of the importance of environmental protection, as we are all responsible for taking care of our local community, our country and the whole world.

"It is, we believe, of the utmost importance to reward those companies that proactively adopt sustainable business practices, to both protect the environment and demonstrate that “doing the right thing” actually promotes the economic well-being of the local business community.

"We wish all the applicants the best of luck and look forward to meeting you all at the Business Excellence Awards 2023".    

Charity Award                           

The Charity Award is sponsored by St Thomas’s Church and is open to any charitable organisation that can demonstrate how their activity has provided a long service of support in the community and continues to do so.

The church said: “St Thomas's Church has a long history of supporting charitable concerns and fundraising events. We believe a good community is built on values of compassion and generosity. We affirm all those who work in the charitable sector and are delighted to sponsor this award.”

Service Excellence Award

The Service Excellence award is Sponsored by insight6 and is open to any business that goes above and beyond for their employees, suppliers and customers supporting their development, promoting high standards and providing a happy and healthy work and shopping experience.

“insight6 are excited to be sponsoring the Service Excellence Award in this year’s Business Excellence Awards. We wish all the applicants the best of luck and look forward to hearing about the great businesses in South Wiltshire and celebrating with everyone at the awards evening.”

Tourism and Hospitality Award

The Tourism and Hospitality Award is sponsored by Salisbury BID and Salisbury Chamber with the support of Visit Wiltshire and is open to any business that can demonstrate its ability to provide a first-class experience for visitors, excellent feedback, excellent business results and a high customer return rate.

 “South Wiltshire is a beautiful and diverse area with a thriving arts scene, historic attractions and much more. With so many places to stay and food and drink options you can relax with friends and family while sampling a wide range of welcoming hospitality.

"Collectively Salisbury Chamber and Salisbury BID are pleased to sponsor this Tourism and Hospitality Award and look forward to learning more from the businesses that take part”  

Business of the Year 2023

There will be two Business of the Year Awards in 2023 recognising small to medium businesses and large businesses. Sponsored by Parker Bullen Solicitors and Aspire Defence Limited the awards are open to members who can demonstrate an established market position, excellent growth, expansion plans and resilience as well as effective leadership, innovation, an ethical approach to business and strong results.

“We have a long history in the beautiful city of Salisbury and, in the last couple of years, have ourselves enjoyed growth into new areas across Wiltshire and Hampshire. 

"We understand the tenacity, perseverance and management that is required for a business to expand which is why we are delighted to be a sponsor of this award to celebrate those businesses who have seen success over the last year.  We are looking forward to what promises to be an excellent evening celebrating the businesses in Salisbury, and wish all of the entrants and finalists the best of luck.”

To enter the awards is simple, businesses need to be either a BID or Chamber Member, choose the award they wish to apply for, fill in their details and simply state in no more than 400 words why they think they should win it.

A simple entry form can be found on the Salisbury Chamber website here at salisburychamber.co.uk/?p=3689.

The closing date for applications is February 6.

Once received and confirmed valid judges will be in touch to arrange an interview and shortlist the top five businesses in each category. The shortlisted businesses will be notified at the beginning of March.

The annual Awards Event will take place at the Bibury Suite, Salisbury Racecourse on Friday, March 31, with a reception, black tie dinner, entertainment and a charity auction/raffle.

All businesses shortlisted, highly commended and winners will receive accolades and recognition on the night.

Chamber Acting President, Daniel Rhind-Tutt and Chief Executive of Salisbury BID Robin McGowan said: “After the hugely successful return of the Business Excellence Awards last year, we are delighted to have launched this celebration of business event for 2023. It will be the ultimate opportunity to bring owners together to celebrate and showcase their achievements and look forward positively to the future”.