Press release from the New Forest Business Partnership
For 16 years, the New Forest Business Partnership has hosted the New Forest’s local business awards because it believes it is vitally important that we acknowledge and celebrate individuals and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievements within their business sector or specialist area.
In 2022, there are 18 award categories, including several new categories this year, covering all areas of achievement within local business. The overall New Forest Business of the Year is selected from the winners of the individual categories.
This year’s Awards take place on Thursday 1 December at Brockenhurst College.
You can nominate your own business or another business
Entry is open to businesses with operational premises in the administrative area of New Forest District Council and/or members of the New Forest Business Partnership. You can nominate more than one business and a business can be nominated in more than one category.
All entries should be made by 12 noon on Saturday 1 October
Shortlisted businesses will be selected in each of the award categories; those selected will be invited to discuss their application in further detail with the judging panel.
Judging will take place at Balmer Lawn Hotel. Dates and times for individual categories are detailed below.
Please ensure your availability before submitting an application in the event that your business is shortlisted.
The panel of judges, chosen for their experience and expertise, will assess all entries. Judges will be drawn from the Board of the New Forest Business Partnership and our sponsors.
Please read the Terms and Conditions on our FAQs page prior to submitting your entry.
The New Forest Business Partnership Award for Outstanding Customer Care
For businesses which recognise the importance of the customer in growing their business and can demonstrate how analysis and response to ‘customer needs’ have assisted in developing a growing business.
* Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Wednesday 19 October between 1100 and 1230. Your time will be advised via email.
The Solent University Award for Innovation
For businesses which successfully apply any form of innovation in the way they do business, the way they work with their people or customers, or in product and service development. The winner will demonstrate that innovation is not just about invention – it can be about processes, people, ways of working, products or digital solutions.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Monday 17 October between 1400 and 1530. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Balmer Lawn Hotel Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Visitor Economy
For businesses which lead the way in providing high quality New Forest visitor experiences, which protect and enhance the local environment, benefit residents and support the local economy.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Tuesday 18 October between 1100 and 1230. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Scott Bailey Award for Professional Services
For businesses that demonstrate excellence in their sector and are innovative in their approach to the services they provide. The winner will show how they have met the changing demands of their clients while keeping their own practices on track under the most trying of circumstances.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Tuesday 18 October between 0830 and 1000. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The HSBC UK Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, this award recognises an enterprising individual who has steered their business to success through a culture of innovation, resilience, a dedication to being the best and an ethos of inspiring others.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Tuesday 18 October between 1400 and 1530. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Simpson Hilder Associates Award for Personal Achievement
For an outstanding individual within the New Forest business community who is recognized throughout the New Forest as having made an outstanding contribution to the local economy in his or her area of activity.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judges will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet with you.
The New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for the Best New Business
For businesses created since 1 October 2020 that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show significant product/service development and leadership within their sector or industry.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Tuesday 18 October between 1630 and 1800. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Hampshire County Council Award for Contribution to the New Forest Community
For businesses which recognise the importance of a real commitment to the local community. The winner will demonstrate tangible impact and clear results in Corporate Social Responsibility or community impact that is ingrained into the way they do business.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Monday 17 October between 1100 and 1230. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Totton College Award for Training and Development
For businesses that offer outstanding opportunities to their employees including training, career development and mentoring. The winner will show how this investment in people and skills has allowed the business to enhance their performance while showing commitment to their people.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Monday 17 October between 0830 and 1000. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Southampton Business School Award for Young Person in Business
For an individual aged under 30 years on 1 October 2022 who has made a significant contribution to their business. The winner will demonstrate how they have brought creative ideas and progress to the business through their continued learning and development within the role.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Wednesday 19 October between 1630 and 1800. Your individual time will be advised via email.
To submit your nomination in this category click here
The New Forest Marque Award for Food and Drink
For businesses which demonstrate the growing importance of the local food and drink sector and celebrate the very best in food and drink production in the New Forest. The winner could come from any part of the industry – a grower, producer, chef, restaurant, accommodation provider, retailer, educator or local food and drink champion.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Monday 17 October between 1630 and 1800. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times Award for Best New Forest Charity/Social Enterprise/Community Interest Company
For not for profit organisations which have a base in the New Forest and have been operating for more than 1 year on 1 October 2022.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Thursday 20 October between 1100 and 1230. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The New Forest National Park Authority Award for Sustainable Business of the Year
For businesses that understand their responsibility to drive environmental improvements within their industry, creating a greener, more sustainable product or service. The winner will be operating in the sustainability sector or have made significant changes to their business to support the New Forest environment.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Wednesday 19 October between 1400 and 1530. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The New Forest District Council Award for Best New Forest Micro Business
For businesses with fewer than 5 employees which are demonstrating both sustainable growth in revenue and a product or service that is standing tall amongst their competitors.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Wednesday 19 October between 0830 and 1000. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The GetSet Solent Award for Growth
For businesses that can demonstrate a clear business growth strategy that has taken their business to the next level. The winner could be entering new markets, developing new product or services, or investing in people with the right skills to transform growth.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Thursday 20 October between 0830 and 1000. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Escape Yachting Award for Marine and Maritime
For businesses that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability in this key sector in the New Forest economy.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Thursday 20 October between 1630 and 1800. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Award for Health and Wellbeing
For businesses that recognise the importance of creating an environment where health and wellbeing is of the highest priority. The winner will be providing health and wellbeing services and solutions within their own business or to other businesses and the public.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, the judging for this category is on Thursday 20 October between 1400 and 1530. Your individual time will be advised via email.
The Apprentice of the Year Award
For an apprentice in a New Forest business who can demonstrate their achievements, contribution and the impact they have made within the organisation they work. To enter this category, you must either be working towards or have competed since 1 October 2021 a qualification at NVQ Level 2 or higher.
*Should you be shortlisted for this award, interviewing will take place during the third week of October. Your interview time will be advised via email.
New Forest Business of the Year
The overall winner will be selected from the winners in each of the 18 award categories.
