Open to businesses with 1-9 employees

Purpose: To recognise outstanding performance by a company with a workforce of 9 or less and has been operating for two years or more. Who have sustained success throughout their time of trading. Demonstrating a growth in profits, overcoming challenges with clear plans for the future.

Criteria: For this category, the judges will be looking for a business that are capable of producing a quality product/service whilst remaining committed to great client/customer service, as well as demonstrating innovation and marketing acumen.

Judges will require proof of financial performance.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Number of employees
• Financial performance - sales, turnover and profit
• Business achievements and challenges
• How your business stands out from competitors
• Plans for the future
  

Open to businesses with 10-49 employees.

Purpose: To recognise outstanding performance by a company having a workforce of 49 or fewer and which is based in or has a significant presence in The News circulation area. A clear vision and plans for the future, consideration of international markets, innovation and creativity and overcoming challenges.

Criteria: Winning characteristics could be: a successful turnaround of a struggling or slow-moving company; successful exploitation of innovation; excellence in setting up a major new operation and bringing it into production at a high level of efficiency; pioneering new markets; remarkable growth in size or profits. In a sentence, the judges are looking for something special for all to admire and from which all can learn.

Judges will require proof of financial performance.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Number of employees
• Financial performance - sales, turnover and profit
• Business achievements and challenges
• How your business stands out from competitors
• Plans for the future
  

Open to businesses with 50+ employees

Purpose: To recognise a business for outstanding achievements in growth, turnover and profitability, clear vision and plans for the future, consideration of international markets, innovation and creativity and overcoming challenges.

Criteria: The judges will require proof of financial performance, innovativeness and the firm's recent past to determine the quality of the entrants

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Number of employees
• Financial performance - sales, turnover and profit
• Business achievements and challenges
• How your business stands out from competitors
• Plans for the future

Open to business that have bee operating no longer than 2 years.

Purpose: To recognise those businesses which have gone from 0 to 100mph in two years.

Criteria: The successes should speak for themselves and the judges will be looking for evidence of rapid expansion, niche-filling, excellent turnover or job creation – or all of the above.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• How the business was established
• Achievements and obstacles faced
• Response to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Plans for growth

We are looking for a young entrepreneur, aged between 16 and 24, who has set up a business within The News circulation area. The business can be in any sector but entrants must demonstrate that they have made a difference, in their sector, for the community or the environment.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Age of young entrepreneur
• How the business idea was developed and established
• Achievements and challenges
• Feedback and testimonials
• Opportunities for the future

To recognise an imaginative and creative manager or employee whose individual contribution to the success of a business has been outstanding or who has demonstrated inspired leadership.

The judges will look for evidence of improvement to the company directly attributable to the entrant plus testimonials from within and/or without the organisation.

Please include the below information in your award submission

• Key roles and responsibilities of the nominated individual
• Ways in which the nominated individual inspires others
  
• Challenges faced and how they have been overcome
• Contributions of the nominee in the community outside the workplace

To recognise a dynamic contribution to the local community or a commitment to the environment by a company based in or having a significant presence in The News circulation area.

Entrants will be able to show a clear mission - either in a one-off venture or in an ongoing commitment - to helping and/or improving their local community or the environment. The initiative can be anything that would help improve people's lives and enhance the relationship between the company and the community in which it is based. The contribution might be monetary, or involve the provision of resources and expertise.

This category is not open to businesses or organisations who undertake community activities as a core business.

Please include the below information in your awards submission:

• Details of the initiative and main goals
• Challenges faced and how these have been overcome
• Impact that the initiative has had

Purpose: To recognise businesses which can demonstrate the importance of exporting and developing an international presence to the success of the business.

Criteria: Judges will seek evidence that the business has achieved significant sustainable growth by opening and/or exploiting new markets outside of the UK. Nominees must show the impact exporting has on growth and profitability, the markets they are operating in and a clear strategy for the countries they have chosen. Please also outline plans for further export development and what you see as the challenges to achieving those plans.

Please include the below information in your award submission

• Details of financial information
• Which markets and how many countries the business works with
• How the business had adapted to challenges and opportunities relating to Brexit
• Future plans

Purpose: An award for a business or organisation, irrespective of its size or sector, who can demonstrate environmental awareness and responsibility in all aspects of its work and output.

Criteria: Judges will be looking for a company that embraces sustainability and green principles throughout the business. The use of suppliers who have the same principles. Proof and evidence will need to be provided to demonstrate the advantages and gains while adopting green policies.

This category is not open to businesses or organisations who undertake green activities as a core business.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Explain how sustainability is embraced within your business
• Your approach to recycling, energy consumption and reducing your carbon footprint
• Your sustainable supply chain
• The impact of your sustainable approach

Purpose: To recognise any business that puts the Portsmouth area on the map as a great place to live and visit. To recognise any retailer, large or small, which is making big noises in the retail world.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of a business's contribution in attracting new visitors to the area or its excellence within the hospitality and leisure industries. Please provide the last three years figures and indicate if actual or projected. The judges will be looking for evidence of what sets a retailer apart from its competition, either in terms of its achievements, its best practice, or its success.

Include the below information in your award submission:

• How your business stands out from the competition 
• Ways in which your business puts Portsmouth on the map
• Your business response to the COVID-19 pandemic
• How you promote your business to attract new customers
• Future plans

To recognise any apprentice/trainee who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their trainer or mentor.

The judges will be looking for inspirational stories of learners, exceptional achievement and in particular, they will be looking for entrants to demonstrate commitment to their personal development and progression through learning, ability to overcome obstacles and barriers in learning or at work, inspirational qualities and attainment of high standards.

Please include the below information in your awards submission:

• Key roles and responsibilities
• Challenges faced and how they were overcome
• Impact of the apprentice on the wider business and their team

An award for a business that has great staff relations, good staff retention with excellent training and who cares for their employees. The best companies to work for! 

The judges will look for evidence and testimonials that confirm all of the above.

Please include the following information in your awards submission.

• Staff turnover
• How the business supports training/development needs of staff
• How staff are consulted on matters affecting the business
• How information on business performance is shared with staff

Purpose: Training and employee development are the keys to business success. The winner of this category will have demonstrated a real commitment to developing and motivating their workforce. This category is open to businesses which have an exemplary training programme for their employees, or training providers – whichever you are.

Criteria: the judges will be looking for evidence that your training programmes work!

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Details of your development programme(s) and how they were established
• Objectives and outcomes of implementing the programme(s)
• Any specific achievements and challenges.

This award will recognise an outstanding manufacturing or engineering business in the Portsmouth News circulation area. We are looking for companies that have upheld the manufacturing/engineering traditions of the Portsmouth area while continuing to strengthen the regional economy.

Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace, its strategy for the future, sustainability, investment in people and equipment, innovation, sales performance and growth prospects, and markets served.

Please include the information below in your award submission:

• Number of employees
• Financial performance - sales, turnover and profit
• Business achievements and challenges (include information on sustainability, investment in people and equipment)
• How your business stands out from competitors
• Plans for the future
  

This award celebrates the outstanding contribution of local attractions in drawing visitors to the area, delivering excellence in customer service and enhancing the profile of Portsmouth through their tourism offer. This award covers any cultural/creative visitor attraction that provides a truly memorable visitor experience.

The judges will be looking for the huge commitment that the business has shown to the industry and to showcase their product/ service offer to help raise standards across the whole industry.

Include the below information in your award submission:

• How your business stands out from the competition
• Ways in which your business puts Portsmouth on the map
• Your business response to the COVID-19 pandemic
• How you promote your business to attract new customers
• Future plans
  

This is an award to an individual who, in the opinion of the judges, has demonstrated an unrivalled record of achievement in the area for many years, showing outstanding performance within their industry, a commitment towards their staff and who demands – and delivers – exceptional customer service.

The award winner is chosen by the judges, though any suggestions will also be considered.

Consider providing the below information for your nomination:

• Impact that the individual has had on both their businesses and local community
• Testimonials