Final preparations are underway for the launch of Richmond’s Business Excellence Awards. The awards, which are held every two years, celebrate the variety and quality of businesses in Richmond and the surrounding area, along with the people who run and work in them.
The Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association (ORBTA) has again joined forces with The Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers of Richmond, Yorkshire to run the Awards.
Russell Lord, Freeman of the Mercers’ Guild, said “We are delighted to be involved in the Business Excellence Awards 2024. The Company is proud to be working alongside ORBTA to make these awards a success in recognising the contribution business makes to the local community.
“The awards in 2020 and 2022 highlighted the wealth and diversity of businesses within the area and we look forward to celebrating their success again at this year’s Awards Ceremony.”
Paul Harrison, Chair of the ORBTA, said he appreciated the financial help being given: “We are very grateful to the Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers for again giving us the support to run these awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all the excellent businesses in Richmond and the surrounding area.”
The awards are free to enter and are open to any business or organisation that is a member of ORBTA or that trades in the DL10 area, whether they are a member of ORBTA or not.
Businesspeople are invited to enter the awards on their own behalf and may also nominate other businesses. The public are also invited to put forward their choices for consideration.
The awards will open for applications at www.originalrichmond.co.uk on Monday 29th January at 9.00am. The closing date for entries is midnight on Friday 8th March. There are twelve categories, and more than one category may be entered. The categories are:
- Business Chameleon
- Best Customer Focus – sponsored by North Yorkshire Council
- Best Employer
- Best New Business – sponsored by Zetland Estates
- Best Information Technology – sponsored by The Company of Fellmongers of Richmond, Yorkshire
- Best Innovation
- Best Marketing
- Outstanding Employee – sponsored by Richmond Rotary Club
- Best One Person Business
- Best Market Stall, Indoor or Outdoor – sponsored by Irvings Property
- Environmental Award – sponsored by Russell and Freda Lord
- The Dennis Graves Award for Young Person of the Year
The Judging Panel will decide the ‘best of the best’ from the business category winners and present the David Doorbar Award for Excellence to the overall winner. In 2022 this prestigious award was won by BSA Electrical and its Director, Luke Boston, joins the Judging Panel for this year’s awards.
Categories still available to sponsor are Business Chameleon, Best Employer, Best Innovation, Best Marketing and Best One Person Business.
Sponsors of individual categories will receive publicity on ORBTA’s website and in all media activities. They will also receive two tickets to the Awards Ceremony and have the award plaque for their category engraved with their name. This is an excellent opportunity for a sponsor to be involved with Richmond’s active business community and promote their own business within that arena.
To find out more about becoming a sponsor please contact Paul Harrison, Chair of ORBTA, by e-mail: info@originalrichmond.co.uk
The awards will be presented by Baroness Harris of Richmond at a ceremony at The Station Café Bar on Friday 19th April.