This award seeks to celebrate and acknowledge businesses in the sport and fitness sector for their dedication and commitment to helping people improve their fitness and achieve their goals. This award will celebrate inclusivity, customer focus and excellence. It will recognise businesses that have been able to adapt to the changing expectations of customers, demonstrated effective leadership and are continually innovating to succeed. This award is for any business in the sports and fitness sector – including but not limited to Gyms, Yoga, Pilates or Meditation Studios, Football Clubs, Online Coaching, Sportswear Clothing Brands, Fitness Apps, Wellness Retreats, Sports Marketing etc.
Your business may have:
Evidence of commercial success, growth and achievement
A clear vision, purpose and long-term strategy for success
Demonstrated excellent knowledge in your industry and great customer service
Examples of the impact you have made in your industry
Sponsored by: London Borough of Merton
This award will showcase some of the best independent businesses in the borough. It will recognise the unique challenges faced by independent businesses and will honour those who have overcome obstacles to achieve success and make a positive impact. We are seeking to reward businesses that have been able to adapt to the changing expectations of customers, demonstrated effective leadership and are continually innovating to succeed. This award is for anyone that has built the business doing what they love, are customer favourites and bring creativity and something different to Merton.
Your business may have:
Evidence of commercial success, growth and achievement
A clear vision, purpose and long-term strategy for success
Demonstrated excellent product knowledge and great customer service
Examples of the impact you have made in your industry
Sponsored by: WSM Advisors
This award will reward businesses that have made exceptional contributions, influenced or brought cultural change to create an environment where all individuals are valued, respected and provided with equal opportunities regardless of their background, identity or characteristics.
If you make it your business to make equality, diversity, and inclusion a high priority, then this award is for you. It will recognise your internal initiatives, great communications and measurable impacts within the business and beyond.
You may have:
Policies that demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion
Examples of the commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in your current or future plans
Success stories or notable achievements resulting from your efforts
Sponsored by: London Borough of Merton
This award acknowledges the vision, dedication and resilience of entrepreneurs who have successfully launched and developed a new business in the last two years. We are seeking to reward and celebrate businesses that have exceeded their targets for growth and can demonstrate excellence in developing the business through significant innovation. The award will recognise businesses that have been able to adapt to the changing expectations of customers, demonstrated effective leadership and are continually innovating to succeed. The award is open to businesses operating in any sector.
Your business 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
Examples of the impact you have made in your industry
Sponsored by: Hartley Fowler Chartered Accountants
This award 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. We are seeking businesses that support their employees by promoting and recognising the contribution they make to the overall performance of the business.
Your business may have:
Evidence of how employees are engaged in company values
Made a substantial contribution to increasing staff morale
Evidence of initiatives that have developed a more collaborative culture at work
Testimonials from your employees
Sponsored by: Morr & Co
This award recognises exceptional individuals who have demonstrated outstanding skills, creativity, and professionalism in their freelance endeavors. This prestigious award celebrates freelancers across all industries that have excelled in their work, irrespective of sector. This award is a testament to the growing importance of freelancers in today's economy and serves to inspire and recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in the freelance world.
You may have:
Client feedback and testimonials
Evidence of your contribution to the broader freelance community, such as mentorship, knowledge-sharing, or involvement in industry events and initiatives
Examples of significant challenges you've overcome
Sponsored by: Huddle
Recognising the achievement and resilience of Merton’s businesses, this award celebrates initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. We want to hear from businesses of all sizes and sectors who value initiative and continuous improvement and can evidence their achievements. The winner of this award should exemplify excellence, dedication and perseverance in the pursuit of business success and making a positive impact.
Your business may have:
Shown exceptional leadership and vision in building a successful business
Implemented new initiatives to overcome a business challenge Identified new customers, markets, opportunities, technology or product innovation
Built a culture that encourages employees to adopt an entrepreneurial spirit
Established a market-leading reputation in a vital aspect of your industry
Sponsored by: Love Wimbledon
With climate change increasingly climbing to the top of the agenda, this award will aim to recognise businesses that are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact. The winner of this award may have implemented innovative strategies and initiatives to promote sustainability throughout the business. Whether through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, promoting renewable energy, or supporting local communities, this business should be leading the way towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
Your business may be:
Encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices
Devising unique approaches to reducing carbon emissions
Addressing key environmental issues
Demonstrating improvements to your environmental performance
Sponsored by: CHAS
This award recognises excellence and innovation in the field of e-commerce. It celebrates businesses that have demonstrated outstanding performance, customer satisfaction and technological advancement in their online retail operations. The website or platform should be easy to navigate, visually appealing and offers a seamless shopping experience. The winner of this award should demonstrate innovative use of technology to enhance the online shopping experience - this may include features such as personalised recommendations, virtual try-on tools or augmented reality experiences. The winner should be delivering exceptional value to customers, leveraging technology effectively and demonstrating a commitment to excellence and innovation in their operations.
Your business may have:
Evidence of sales performance, such as revenue growth, conversion rates and customer retention
Examples of an innovative use of technology to enhance the online shopping experience
A diverse range of high-quality products/services that meet the needs of their target audience
Sponsored by: QudoCloud
We are seeking to showcase the best in the hospitality scene in Merton to celebrate excellence and innovation - recognising businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences, service and value to their customers. The winner of this award will be a business that has been able to adapt to the changing expectations of customers, demonstrated effective leadership and is continually innovating to succeed. This award is for any business in the hospitality sector – including but not limited to pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, tourist services, cafes and event venues.
Your business may have:
Evidence of commercial success, growth and achievement
A clear vision, purpose and long-term strategy for success
Demonstrated excellent industry knowledge and great customer service
Examples of the impact you have made in your industry
Sponsored by: South Thames Colleges Group
This award will recognise businesses that can demonstrate how they have actively contributed to their local community and given back outside of their core business activity. It celebrates their generosity, compassion and commitment to make a positive difference in Merton. We want to showcase businesses with an inspiring approach to corporate social responsibility and those that can demonstrate the difference they have made to the community – through practical support, collaboration and/or investment.
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 how your contribution boosted staff morale
Sponsored by: Domestic & General
This award will reward charities doing exceptional work within all areas of their charitable activities. It will celebrate those that have delivered an outstanding service to their beneficiaries and demonstrated excellence in what they do. This award will recognise charities that have demonstrated outstanding effectiveness, innovation and commitment to their mission - resulting in meaningful and positive services and support for the people that live or work in Merton.
Your charity may have:
Testimonials that demonstrate the positive impact of your contribution
Clear evidence of social and community impact within Merton
Strong leadership and a capable team
Sponsored by: New Wimbledon Theatre
This award will be given to an individual that has made an outstanding contribution to their business through years of dedication and hard work. This person should be able to highlight exceptional achievements, visionary leadership and an unwavering dedication to driving success. This person should be demonstrating innovation, creativity and the ability to think and behave differently to the norm and who has turned ideas into opportunities and made a significant difference to the business.
You may have:
An entrepreneurial spirit
Examples of initiatives, projects or strategies that had a significant impact
Examples of how you support employee growth and engagement
The ability to put things right when they go wrong
Sponsored by: Andrew Scott Robertson
From designers to musicians to photographers to artists - this award seeks to reward and celebrate the best of Merton’s creative sector. This award will showcase those that are thriving, have an established creative brand, gone from strength to strength and are a customer favourite. This award is for any business in the creative sector – including but not limited to design, marketing, advertising, publishing, art, photography, media, software, crafts, music and the performing arts.
Your business may have:
Evidence of an original product or service you have created
Been engaging customers in innovative ways
Added to the life and creativity of the Merton community
Examples of your skills, experience and determination to succeed
Sponsored by: Time & Leisure Creative
This sought-after award will recognise businesses that are offering outstanding customer service.
The winner will be decided by a public vote, so 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. We are looking for a business that: Exceeds customers’ expectations before, during and after using their services Invests in building long term relationships Creates new ideas to enhance the customer experience Provides a service that is consistently outstanding
If you know a business worthy of this customer service award, then vote for them now.
Sponsored by: Gem & Co