Specsavers – putting the focus on professional service

Here, Specsavers Sutton store director, and Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, Nigel Davidson discusses the category.

He said: “At Specsavers we pride ourselves on our commitment to offering the very highest standards in optical and audiology healthcare.

“Like so many organisations we have had to adapt in the face of the pandemic, adjusting our processes and procedures to ensure that we can still offer care, safely, to all those who need it.

“We appreciate the challenges that many businesses have felt over the last 18 months and are always heartened by the strength and agility of those organisations around us and the wonderful supportive community.

"It gives us much to celebrate about the region and the awards help us to do just that.

“We are very confident of some exceedingly high calibre entries in the Professional Service category and across the awards in general – do get involved if you haven’t already.’

Put your entries forward and join the celebration of what has been a very challenging time.

Winners will be announced at the event held on Thursday, November 11, at Portland College. visit www.chadbusinessawards.co.uk/

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.

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. What ways has your business adapted to change and brought to market a new product or service? Or implemented an innovative process or solution?

Community Contribution (Sponsored by Mansfield Building Society)

Businesses play a significant role in the community, many firms consider it important to contribute through charity work, education sector and community groups. 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 (open to public nomination)

Open for the public to nominate their favourite place to eat and or drink. We want to hear about your experience through lockdown and how your favourite place still provided a service.

Retail Hero (open to public nomination)

The past year has been challenging for our local retailers. This award is open for the public to nominate their favourite local retailer, big or small. How did you still manage to buy and replenish your wardrobe? Nominate your retail hero.

Community Initiative – Ashfield (Sponsored by Discover Ashfield)

We want to recognise charities, CIC’s, 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. 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.

Community Initiative – Mansfield (Sponsored by Mansfield District Council)

We want to recognise charities, CIC’s, 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. 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)

This award will look at businesses that demonstrate excellence in the professional services sector. 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. There is no definitive list of occupations, but examples include accountants, architect, dentists, engineering, healthcare, law, IT, investment and finance and training

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

With close to a million active Apprenticeships across England alone, apprenticeship schemes have fast become a preferred route to employment for thousands of school leavers. 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 (Sponsored by Premier Community)

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

Over the past year customers have encountered a new way of dealing with businesses, face to face contact has been less and service with a smile has been removed due to face masks. However customer service remains an essential part of any successful business. 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. 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.

Lifetime Achievement Award

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.

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