The best businesses in Birmingham – large and small – are invited to showcase their achievements and enter this year’s Birmingham Post Business Awards.

The annual awards are one of the most important dates on the city’s business calendar and BPBA 2017 is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

The continued regeneration of Birmingham, the election of a new West Midland Mayor and the ongoing success of the city’s excellent universities is presenting more and more opportunities for investment and commercial development in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Post wants to celebrate this success and highlight best Businesses the city has to offer.

Entries are now open and there is a dedicated website for entrants which you can see by clicking here

Who won last year?

BPBA 2016 Company of the Year winner The Belfry Hotel & Resort with sponsor Les Ratcliffe from Jaguar Land Rover

Last year saw The Belfry Hotel & Resort scoop top honour, winning the headline Company of the Year Award – sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover – highly regarded as the blue-ribbon accolade of the evening which recognises a business that can be universally admired for their commercial practice.

It beat off stiff competition from Inspired Thinking Group, Access Bookings and HydraForce and had exciting plans to rejuvenate its children’s play area, introduce a woodlands walk with a mini golf experience and bring in a new selection of fitness classes and gym equipment.

BPBA 2016 Small Business of the Year - RP Technologies Ltd with Sponsor Mark Eden (Jerroms)

Also enjoying a successful night was Kingswinford-based manufacturer RP Technologies which won both the Small Business and Excellence in Manufacturing awards.

Other firms to take home the spoils were New Business of the Year Colmore Tang Construction, Retailer of Year Harvey Nichols and Not-for-Profit organisation Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

The Editor-in-Chief says

Editor in chief, Marc Reeves.
Editor in chief, Marc Reeves.

Birmingham Post Editor-in-Chief Marc Reeves said: “We look forward to welcoming another raft of superb entries from some of the best companies across Birmingham – big and small – to this year’s business awards.

“The business scene in the city is thriving and with the arrival of a new West Midland mayor there could be even more opportunities open for entrepreneurs in Birmingham.

“Regeneration is rapidly changing the landscape and attracting investment and creating exciting openings for new and established firms. We hope they will tell us about their achievements so that we can showcase them to the region.”

About the awards ceremony

Birmingham Post Business Awards 2016 at the ICC

Like last year the awards ceremony will be held at The ICC – one of Europe's most celebrated conference centres, providing a world-class service to match.

They will be held on Wednesday October 18. More than 800 guests are expected to attend.

In addition to the awards they will enjoy a Champagne reception, three course meal from award-winning ICC chefs and entertainment from Faith Tucker.

Solo artist Faith, a junior student at Birmingham Conservatoire, is tipped to become one of the major names in Classical Crossover.

About the sponsors

Headline sponsor for this year’s BPBA is HSBC, which is currently relocating 1,000 retail banking roles from London to Birmingham and is opening a head office – HSBC UK – in the city’s Arena Central development in Broad Street.

HSBC employs 45,000 people across the UK. It has ring-fenced its retail banking operation from its investment banking arm, like other banks, in response to new rules outlined by the Sir John Vickers report.

A number of companies are returning as category sponsors including Jaguar Land Rover, Jerroms, Janine Edwards Principle Partner of St James’s Place Wealth Management, Browne Jacobson, Birmingham Airport, Ricoh Arena, the ICC and JLT.

The Birmingham Post is working in Partnership with Midlands Branding and Events Agency, Champions (UK) plc to deliver BPBA.

For information about sponsorship contact Ashleigh Kerr at Champions (UK) plc on 01509 85 29 27 or email akerr@championsukplc.com

This year’s award categories are

Company of the Year

The standout award of the night, to honour an exceptional standard of excellence – including strong business presence, market share, economic success, innovation, employee and customer satisfaction.

Small Business of the Year

Celebrating firms employing no more than 75 people and have a proven track record of success. Judges will consider prospective grown and development opportunities.

New Business of the Year

This award is open to companies in the region that have been in operation for a maximum of three years of January 1 2017.

Business Entrepreneur of the Year

This award celebrates the entrepreneurs behind some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Birmingham.

Professional Services Award

Covering a wide range of professional services including legal and financial services. For companies which have strengths in service excellence, business growth, innovation, technology, training and personal development.

Sales & Marketing Award

For sales and marketing excellence. Judges will examine the innovation and creativity of the business, as well as its ability to find solutions for sales and marketing challenges.

Excellence in Manufacturing Award

To celebrate the company that has upheld the manufacturing traditions of the local area, while continuing to strengthen the regional economy.

Excellence in Science & Technology Award

This award recognises advancement and innovation. Finalists will be judged on the quality of their products and services, their dedication to sales performance, commitment to innovation and the sustainability of their business.

Retail Business of the Year

The winner will show they are continuing to build upon their reputation for retail excellence – whether they are trading on the high street or solely online.

Creative Communications & Digital Business of the Year

Judges will look at the finalists’ dedication to developing something truly creative across a variety of industries.

Export Award

This award will reward an organisation that has generated substantial and sustained increases in export activity.

Contribution to the Community Award

The finalists for this award will have demonstrated considerable dedication to corporate, social and ethical responsibility.

Not-for-Profit Organisation Award

Nominees will be judged on their ability to maintain financial performance, as well as looking at the cultural influence of the organisation and the potential benefits it brings to the community.

How to enter

It is easy to enter BPBA 2017, just click here and follow the instructions

The closing date for entries is Friday July 21.

You are invited to join the conversation about his year’s awards on Twitter using #BPBA2017