Categories

The nominees for this award category will show how they have been committed to delivering an outstanding business contributions to the community and will be able to demonstrate the local impact made. This community investment can cover commitment of time, effort and/or money to deliver positive outcomes.

 

Criteria

•     Demonstrate how the objectives, plans and/or strategies were effectively implemented.

•     Demonstrate the benefits for the local community/positive impact of your work.

•     Demonstrate tangible results and evaluation.

•     Demonstrate evidence of satisfaction (such as case studies or testimonials).

 

What the judges are looking for

Judges are looking for business organisations who show exceptional commitment to delivering the very best in their contributions to the community.

This award category will showcase organisations that have shown they have a firm commitment to developing the skill sets of young people (under 24 years), to dramatically improve their educational prospects and enhance their employability and life progression.

 

Criteria

•     Demonstrate your commitment through a clear plan, detailing objectives, strategy and delivery.

•     Demonstrate how the project has made a real impact for the young person/ people involved.

•     Provide details of the challenges faced and how they were overcome.

•     Demonstrate inspirational qualities that are appreciated by customers, staff or employers.

 

What the judges are looking for

Judges are looking for organisations that show exceptional commitment to delivering the very best in the development of skills for young people.

This award celebrates organisations or individuals who have set new standards in delivering exceptional customer experiences. It commends those who consistently place customers at the heart of their strategies, creating seamless, personalised, and impactful interactions across every touchpoint.

 

What the judges are looking for

• Clear evidence of raising the bar for customer experience standards.
• Demonstration that putting the customer first is truly embedded in your culture – not just a slogan.
• Tangible examples of the difference your actions have made for customers.
• Supporting proof points such as data, testimonials, or case studies that show measurable results.

Excellence in Food and Beverage Award will reward food, hospitality and beverage providers who are passionate about delivering quality food and drink, and great service. This category includes hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes and outside caterers.

Judging overview
Judges are looking for businesses who show a commitment to the service and delivery of food and beverages, and an adaptation to consumer / trading trends.

Criteria

• Demonstrate that customer service has been clearly incorporated into your core business strategy
• Clearly show what differentiates you from your competitors
• Demonstrate commitment to staff training / personal skills development
• Demonstrate your commitment to local quality products and supply chains
• Demonstrate evidence of customer satisfaction (such as case studies, testimonials, customer retention / loyalty).

The winners of the Creative Use of Technology Award will have shown how they have utilised technology to provide an improvement or efficiency in their business, their clients or broader community.

Judging overview
Judges will be looking for a clear description of a creative use of technology, with indication of budget. This may include ‘off the shelf’ products if they have been implemented in a way that is beyond its original intention or creatively utilised to solve a problem or need by the business.

Criteria

• Clearly identify the need or opportunity, defining the brief objectives, an indication of budget and target audience.
• Provide details about the innovation, technology or product including its implementation and delivery.
• Demonstrate how the success of the innovation was evaluated and measured.
• Demonstrate the impact of the creative use of technology, challenges that were faced and what has been learnt from this.

This award recognises independent businesses that have gone out of their way to provide an entrepreneurial commitment and spirit to local customer satisfaction.

 

Criteria

•     Demonstrate the ideas you have used to grow your business in a competitive marketplace.

•     Demonstrate your biggest challenge as an independent retailer, and how you have overcome it.

•     Demonstrate how you foster loyalty among your customers.

•     Demonstrate what differentiates you from your competitors.

•     Provide evidence of customer satisfaction (such as a case study or testimonials).

This award recognises businesses who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in delivering professional services with integrity and expertise, from legal and financial services to consulting and advisory roles. The award acclaims those who consistently exceed client expectations, set industry benchmarks, and contribute to the advancement of their field.

 

What the judges are looking for

• Clear evidence of the benefits and value you provide to your customers.
• Demonstration of why excellence in professional service is essential to your business.
• Evidence of how you measure the success of your professional services.
• Proof points: include data, testimonials, or case studies that demonstrate results.

This award celebrates a start-up (up to 18 months old) that has demonstrated remarkable growth, innovation, and potential within its industry. It recognises entrepreneurial vision, resilience, and the ability to disrupt markets with fresh ideas, products, or services in Kingston.

 

What the judges are looking for

• Highlight what makes your business unique and why it stands out in its field.
• Demonstrate effective leadership that drives both business growth and a positive culture.
• Provide evidence of the challenges you have faced and how you overcame them.
• Showcase forward-thinking strategies and a sustainable vision for the future.

The Young Professional of the Year will celebrate and recognise aspiring young people, less than 35 years of age, who have made a significant contribution or acted as role model to their profession and business.

Judging overview
Judges are looking for young professionals who have made a difference to the organisation they work in and the wider industry. The recipient must have demonstrated professional accomplishments and evidence of outstanding talent, dedication and leadership. Self-nomination is not permitted and must have been employed for at least one year by the business.

Criteria

• Demonstrate noteworthy professional and personal achievements.
• Provide details of strong leadership, teamwork and integrity skills.
• Demonstrate clear contributions made by the individual and the impact on the business or industry.
• Demonstrate evidence of customer or team satisfaction (such as case studies or testimonials).

This award category will celebrate businesses or individuals who recognise environmental and
sustainability initiatives and reward those who place sustainability at the very heart of their business.

 

Criteria

•     Demonstrate that sustainability has been clearly incorporated into your core business strategy.

•     Demonstrate an innovative approach to delivering creative results that achieve / surpass the client brief.

•     Demonstrate the tangible benefits for the local community/businesses.

•     Demonstrate evidence of satisfaction (such as case studies or testimonials).

 

What the judges are looking for

Judges are looking for organisations that show exceptional commitment to delivering the very best in sustainable initiatives.

The Developing Employees Award winners will have shown how the employer has gone above and beyond the development for their employees, helping them to broaden their skills and support their career path and life-long learning.

Judging overview
Judges are looking for business organisations who show exceptional commitment, learning opportunities and recognition to their colleagues and provide the support to improve the culture of the business.

Criteria

• Demonstrate your commitment through a clear plan, detailing objectives, strategy and delivery
• Demonstrate clear evidence how this has supported the employee
• Demonstrate clear evidence how initiatives have benefited the team/ business accomplishments
• Provide details of the challenges faced, the milestones crossed and how they were overcome

This award recognises exceptional charities/not-for-profit/voluntary groups that deliver community benefits within the borough.

 

Criteria

•     Demonstrate how your charity engages with the communities it serves.

•     Demonstrate a specific project/initiative that has had a positive impact on the community.

•     Demonstrate how you measure the success of your work in achieving its goals.

•     Demonstrate how you differentiate yourself in the market.

•     Provide evidence of satisfaction (such as a case study or testimonials).

The Best Marketing Campaign Award is for businesses who have taken a creative, innovative and agile approach in delivering a successful marketing campaign. This can include, as examples, sponsorship, event, print, pop-ups, direct mail, digital, and social media. It is open to individuals, agencies or organisations, of any size, and can prove their campaigns have had a measurable effect.

Judging overview
Judges will be looking for a clear description of an outstanding marketing campaign/project that has made a significant impact, shown creativity and made a lasting impact.

Criteria

• Clearly identify the need or opportunity, defining the brief objectives, an indication of budget and target audience.
• Clearly show what differentiates you from your competitors.
• Demonstrate how innovation and creativity provided results that achieved / surpassed the client brief.
• Demonstrate how the campaign was evaluated and measured.
• Demonstrate evidence of customer satisfaction (such as case studies, testimonials, customer retention / loyalty).