Business of the Year

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector. There is no turnover criteria.

The business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12-24 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. This should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation and strong leadership.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years. 

Sponsored by: University of Kent  

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

Construction Project of the Year

Employer of the Year

Entrepreneur of the Year

Category description: This category is open to any business/organisation working on a regeneration, redevelopment or refurbishment project. This may include, but is not limited to, projects completed or in the process of completion during 2019.

Projects that have approved planning for 2020 are also eligible. Entrants should be able to show how the project has provided (or will provide) opportunities for community development and involvement by way of employment, apprenticeships and training.

Projects do not have to be in Kent, but the business/organisation must have a registered address in Kent and have been trading for a minimum of two years. 

Sponsored by: Rift R&D Tax Credits

Category description: This category is open to any business/organisation that can demonstrate commercial success and strategies for growth whilst achieving excellence in its commitment to the support and development of its workforce.

The organisation must show evidence that it has schemes, initiatives and policies which assess, deliver and monitor their workforce’s training and development, health and safety, general wellbeing and where there is an innovative approach to working terms and conditions.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Category description: This category is open to any individual who is instrumental as the business owner or main shareholder in leading their successful business or organisation in reaching its goals and potential, irrespective of size or sector.

This individual must demonstrate they have achieved commercial success, have clear plans, strategies and goals for their business and a strong track record of innovation.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

* For anyone wishing to enter the KEiBA awards, please note that entrants must be over 21 years old as of the June 30th, 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

Excellence in Customer Service

Export Business of the Year

Family Business of the Year

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector. There is no turnover criteria.

The business must demonstrate commercial success and strategies for growth whilst achieving excellence in looking after its customers.

The organisation must have objectives for high quality customer service and clear methods of monitoring and evaluating standards. 

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector that can demonstrate outstanding improvements in commercial performance through successfully marketing its products or service to customers outside the UK.

The business/organisation will be asked to outline its exporting history, how exporting has had a profound effect on business performance, how international strategies have been developed, how products or services have been tailored for overseas markets, what strategies are in place to overcome language and cultural difficulties and what creative and innovative marketing activities have been used.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Category description: This category is open to any family business, irrespective of sector and size, that is owned and operated by two or more members of a single family. They must be related either by blood, marriage, civil partnership, cohabitation or adoption.

The family business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12-24 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. This should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation, communication and strong family leadership.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years as of March 31, 2019. No turnover criteria. 

Sponsored by: Cantium Business Solutions 

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

Innovative Business of the Year

Manufacturer of the Year

Most Promising New Business 

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector and aims to attract businesses within which innovation or technology is a key element and where the continuous development is a major function of the business.

This is intended to include (but is not be limited to) businesses in the following areas: software and hardware, e-commerce, digital agencies, manufacturing, IT or telecoms infrastructure, electronics, medical, diagnostic or scientific devices and instrument technologies.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Sponsored by: University of Kent Innovation and Enterprise

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of size or sector. There is no turnover criteria.

The organisation must have a manufacturing operation being undertaken in Kent.

This category includes food, drink and print operations. The organisation must demonstrate outstanding performance in a number of aspects relating to their manufacturing operation. These should include commercial success and evidence of growth, delivery of innovation and continuous improvements, environmental credentials, enhanced supplier relationships and supply chain development.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Category description: This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector. There is no turnover criteria.

The business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. These should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation and strong leadership.

Entrants will also be asked why they set up their business, to outline the challenges they faced and how these have been overcome.

This category is not open to those who have invested in a franchise model in order to start their business (franchisee) but is open to those that have developed their business into a franchise operation (franchisor).

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of one year and less than three years as of the March 31st, 2019.

Sponsored by: MidKent College

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).

PLEASE NOTE: If you entered the Chamber Awards for 2019, please use the same login details when applying for the 2020 Awards (via Judgify).