Nominate now for the Chad Business Awards

Engineering work often had to continue despite during this time

The awards are headlined by both Mansfield and Ashfield District Council, who join us in our search for nominations. The success of businesses in these times is something we want to celebrate, so we’ve made a few changes to our awards categories, and we won’t be asking for any financial evidence this year. Also, for the first time we have the opportunity for our community to nominate their Retail Hero and Best Place to Eat or Drink award categories.

There’s also the opportunity to put yourselves forward for either the Mansfield or Ashfield Business of the Year - but your entry must be good to impress the judges this year!

Preparing your entry for the awards should provide an opportunity to reflect on the positives, rather than the negatives and to share your success with the wider community. Don’t forget, though, entering awards isn’t always about winning, it’s also about what you make out of the opportunities and your journey.

Restaurants are back open after severe disruption during the pandemic

We invite you to put your entries forward and join the celebration of what has been a very challenging time, and are looking forward to hearing your stories and hopefully celebrating your success at the awards ceremony scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 11, at the Portland College.

Entries are now open and will close on September 16 at 6pm. Please visit www.chadbusinessawards.co.uk for more information and to submit your entry.

Here is the list of our award categories:

Covid Response: the past 12 months rocked our community and economic foundation. Many organisations took the opportunity to make exceptional changes, which for many allowed their business to remain viable and open to their target audience, and for others helped to support the NHS. We will reward the business that best describes their response to the crisis.

Teams of workers are now starting to enjoy each other's company again

Innovation Award (sponsored by Tommee Tippee): the winning business will be able to demonstrate their ability to navigate market conditions and be at the forefront of their industry.

Community Contribution (sponsored by Mansfield Building Society): many firms have played a crucial role in supporting their community during the Covid-19 outbreak. This award aims to recognise those local businesses who have taken the time to give something back, especially during lockdown.

Best Place to Eat / Drink: we want to hear about your experience through lockdown and how your favourite place still provided a service.

Retail Hero: this award is open for the public to nominate their favourite local retailer, big or small.

Community Initiative – Ashfield (sponsored by Discover Ashfield): we want to recognise charities, CICs, volunteer groups or community groups within the district of Mansfield that are doing great things to support people in their community. Whether you are a small grassroots organisation or a larger charity with a local presence, this award is open to you.

Community Initiative – Mansfield (sponsored by Mansfield District Council): whether you are a small grassroots organisation or a larger charity with a local presence, this award is open to you. We want to hear about what you do, the people and communities you help, the amazing projects you are running and the impact this is having.

Professional Services Award (sponsored by Specsavers): open to organisations of any size, we want to hear about your business and what measures you undertook to continue with your services to the community during the pandemic.

Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering (sponsored by Whitemeadow): this award will be presented to the company that demonstrates a modern, efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing or engineering.

Apprentice of the Year: this award recognises an apprentice who has excelled in their training and goes above and beyond for the benefit of both their business and their future career. The apprentice of the year award should be completed by either the apprentice or their employer. Apprentices will be enrolled on an apprenticeship scheme within Mansfield / Ashfield districts as of March 2021.

New Business of the Year (sponsored by Wright Vigar Chartered Accountants): open to all businesses that have been operational for less than three years (as of November 2021). Businesses should have been successful in identifying a market gap to launch a new business and be able to showcase how innovation, product development, market knowledge and effective leadership have played a part in their growth to date. We would also like an understanding of plans for future growth.

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Nottingham Trent University): open to organisations with 15 or less staff. Judges will be interested in the ethos and background to the business, its profitability and the unique selling points, which make it a success. We would also like to hear the impact made within its sector since trading and how it has overcome any challenges it has encountered.

Team of the Year: this award recognises teams that have overcome obstacles or have shown an outstanding performance. Either a team who usually work together or did so for a special project or task.

Customer Service Award: this award aims to reward and recognise a company, individual, or team, for their outstanding achievement in providing exceptional customer service.

Ashfield Business of the Year 2021 (sponsored by Ashfield District Council): a special award open for entries for businesses headquartered in the district of Ashfield. This award is the ultimate accolade. The judges will be looking for the company/person who has shown the most enterprise, passion and drive in taking their business forward. Dedication and innovation will be key to the winner of this most prestigious award.

Mansfield Business of the Year 2021 (sponsored by Making Mansfield): a special award open for entries for businesses headquartered in the district of Mansfield. The judges will be looking for the company/person who has shown the most enterprise, passion and drive in taking their business forward. Dedication and innovation will be key to the winner of this most prestigious award.

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Premier Community): the judges are looking for an individual who has had a major impact on their business and the area over a number of years. If there is someone we should consider for this award, please provide a name and brief overview of their achievements for them to be a contender.