Diversity, equality and inclusion has never been so much at the forefront of business priorities. New this year, this award will recognise a business that has made exceptional contributions, influenced, or brought cultural change to support and champion diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace - be it race, gender, sexuality, social mobility, or age. If you make it your business to make diversity, equality and inclusion a high priority, then this award is for you. This award will recognise your fantastic internal initiatives, great communications and measurable impacts within the business and beyond.
You may have:
Evidence of policies and procedures that demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Examples of the commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in your current or future plans.
Sponsored by: London Borough of Merton
Businesses in this category won’t be standing still and doing the same old things, they’ll be moving and shaking and leading in their markets. If you have taken a leap to a whole new level, demonstrating true entrepreneurial spirit, market leading growth and outstanding leadership then this category is for you.
Your business may have:
Examples of initiatives and willingness to undertake new projects.
Case studies that show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise.
Key achievements and plans for even more success.
Sponsored by: WSM Advisors
Nominate a business in Merton that you believe is offering outstanding customer service. This is a great opportunity for the public to sing the praises of those who they feel go above and beyond in the name of great service. Customer service isn’t a one-off. The winning business will ensure it exceeds customers’ expectations before, during and after using their services, investing in building long term relationships and providing a service that is consistently outstanding. This award is decided by a public vote and so is truly the customer’s voice. Do you know a business worthy of a sought-after customer service award? Yes? Then nominate and vote for a business below.
Sponsored by: London Borough of Merton
This award is for businesses that have started in the last two years and are really getting noticed for what they do. If your business has exceeded your targets for growth within your sector and can demonstrate excellence in developing the business through significant innovation and leadership, then this category is for you.
You may have:
Examples of how you have met and overcome challenges.
Developed initiatives that have set the foundations in place for future success. Evidence of growth in customers and/or revenue.
Sponsored by: Hartley Fowler Chartered Accountants
The challenging events of the last two years means being a good employer has taken on a new meaning. This category is for businesses that invest in their employees and know the benefits that arise from attracting, developing and retaining staff. We want to hear from businesses that provide a work environment that is welcoming and full of opportunities. This can range from family friendly workplaces, healthy workplace initiatives, mental health support and team building initiatives. If your business supports your employees by promoting and recognising the contribution employees make to the overall performance of the business, then this category is for you.
You may have:
Evidence of how employees are engaged in company values.
Made a substantial contribution to increasing staff morale, especially during the challenging events of the last two years.
Evidence of initiatives that have developed a more collaborative culture at work.
Sponsored by: Morr & Co
This award will showcase some of the best independent businesses in the borough. It will recognise and celebrate independent businesses that are proven all-rounders and have been able to survive and thrive. We want to shine a light on businesses that have built their business doing what they love, are customer favourites and that bring a wealth of colour and creativity to Merton.
Your business may have:
Evidence of commercial success, growth and achievement.
Demonstrated excellent product knowledge and great customer service.
Examples of future objectives for the growth of the business.
Sponsored by: Centre Court Shopping
The challenging events of the last two years meant businesses were forced to demonstrate new skills, approaches and attitudes outside their comfort zone. This award will seek to recognise that. The pandemic highlighted the importance of business resilience, and we want to see how your business continues to survive, revive and thrive against the odds.
Your business may have:
Adapted and created technology to support your revised business model.
Continued to adapt your business model to allow your business to survive and thrive against the odds.
A continuity plan in place.
Diversified or adapted your products and/or services.
Case studies of where your continuity plan has already worked.
Sponsored by: Love Wimbledon
This award will shine a light on businesses in Merton that are innovating to tackle climate change. There is no better time to be flying the flag for sustainability and celebrating positive climate action across all industries. Show us the steps you have taken to reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We want to see your commitment to long-term impacts and how important is it to be a sustainable and green business. Can you demonstrate what part you are playing in the green recovery and the journey towards becoming carbon neutral?
Your business may be:
Encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices such as cycling to work, reducing the use of resources, or using cargo bikes for deliveries.
Devising unique approaches to reducing carbon emissions.
Addressing key environmental issues.
Sponsored by: CHAS
This award will celebrate and recognise a business in Merton that has an outstanding presence online. As online retail grows and technology develops to allow shopping to be 24/7, we want to reward a business that has a successful and evolving online retail marketplace. This award will recognise a business that is innovating through technology with its website. If you want to reward the teams and individuals that ensure your eCommerce business booms, then this category is for you.
You may have:
Developed campaigns and/or initiatives to increase engagement.
A website that has fantastic functionality and offers an easy/creative user experience.
Analytics and evidence of visits to your website and sales that have come from it.
Sponsored by: QudoCloud
This award is for those rising stars of tomorrow (aged 18–25 years old) who have made an exceptional contribution to their workplace. We want to celebrate and recognise a young person that has been a beacon of inspiration to the business and the people around them.
They may have:
Committed to developing their personal skills and knowledge.
Demonstrated their dedication to developing their career.
Provided an outstanding contribution to the workplace.
Demonstrated a high level of skill, knowledge and a can-do attitude.
Sponsored by: South Thames Colleges Group
This category is for businesses that can demonstrate how they have contributed to the local community and how they have given back outside of their core business activity. We would love to hear your story about how you have participated in or created new initiatives that support your local community or how you have made a positive impact through employee led activities.
Your business may have:
Evidence of how you worked with the community to make a positive impact.
Examples of how your business went over and above its normal operation to support those in need.
A great story about why your business wants to support its community.
Testimonials that show your contribution developed team spirit and boosted staff morale.
Sponsored by: Merton Giving
As the voluntary sector rebuilds from the disruption of the pandemic over the last two years, charities have continued to carry out vital work for the community. This award will recognise and reward organisations doing exceptional work in all areas of charitable activity. This award will celebrate charities that have delivered an outstanding service to their beneficiaries and demonstrated excellence, especially within the last two years.
Your charity may have:
Testimonials that demonstrate the positive impact of your contribution.
Clear evidence of social and community impact within Merton.
Sponsored by: New Wimbledon Theatre
This category is aimed at entrepreneurs demonstrating innovation, creativity and the ability to think and behave differently to the norm. It will reward someone who turned ideas into opportunities and made a significant difference to their business despite the events of the past two years.
The winning entrepreneur will show:
An entrepreneurial spirit.
Examples of how their business has evolved.
Evidence of what they did differently and why it was successful, particularly when compared to competitors.
The ability to put things right when they go wrong.
Sponsored by: Andrew Scott Robertson
The challenges of the last two years offered a unique opportunity for businesses in the creative sector to pause, reflect and undertake new projects. If your business operates in the creative sector, and has undertaken new projects and has been successful, this is the category for you. This award is for any business which has been successful in the creative sector – including but not limited to design, marketing, advertising, publishing, media, software and culture.
You may have:
Evidence of an original product or service that addresses a clear market need.
Examples of your skills, experience and determination to succeed.
Sponsored by: Time & Leisure Creative