2015 Fenland Enterprise Business Awards will recognise the district’s best companies – and there’s still time to enter

The top companies and most influential leaders will be celebrated at the Fenland Enterprise Business Awards – and there is still time to enter.

It is the seventh year of the awards, run by the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard in association with Fenland District Council.

This year, we have 13 awards up for grabs, 10 of which are open for entries. They will identify Fenland’s best small and medium businesses, environmentally-friendly initiatives and star employees.

• To enter a category in this year’s awards, click here.

The Apprentice Award – set up in memory of teenager Craig Bird who was killed in a car crash in 2010 – also returns. Craig, 18, of March, was an apprentice at the Fenland Engineering Skills Centre, at Metalcraft in Chatteris.

One new category this year is the Food Producer of the Year Award, to recognise the many Fenland companies involved in food production – either as part of a supply chain or direct sale to the public.

And once again YOU will decide which town is the Pride of Fenland and demonstrated the greatest entrepreneurial spirit during the last 12 months.

A ‘winner of winners’ will be chosen from the 11 category winners for the grand title of Business of the Year.

A Judges’ Award will also be presented to a business or individual who did not win a category, but the judges feel deserves recognition.

ALS Food and Pharmaceutical, of Chatteris, won the Business of the Year award in 2014 for its industry-leading technical expertise, impressive growth and commitment to environmentally-friendly technologies. It also won the Green Award and the Medium Business of the Year Award.

Among the company’s efforts praised by the judges was its expansion of allergen tests for meat species following the national horse meat scandal in 2013.

The award judges said of our winner: “The team at ALS delivered a very professional and convincing case, admirably demonstrating that the business is financially sound and has grown and adapted to a changing market place.

“In particular it extended its range of allergen tests for meat speciation testing – a key development following the horse meat crisis in 2013 and developed an industry leading web based portal ensuring ALS is well positioned in a competitive, high tech market.

“Adopting a range of initiatives including heat recovery, large scale rain water harvesting and waste streaming, ALS provided a strong case by demonstrating a measured commitment to environmental awareness using available technology to the benefit of the business and carbon reduction.”

Other previous winners of the Business of the Year award include Fenland Leisure Products of Christchurch (2009), Chatteris-based independent retailer James Graven & Sons (2010), Delamore Young Plants of Wisbech St Mary (2011 and 2013) and Foster Property Maintenance (2012).

Sponsors, alongside Fenland District Council, include Local Generation and Whiting & Partners, both of which have also supported the awards since 2009, Larkfleet Group and Leeds Day Solicitors.

Businesses and individuals shortlisted in the categories will be invited to attend the awards dinner, which will take place on Friday, October 9, at the Braza Club, in March.

Also among the invited guests at the black tie event will be business leaders, council dignitaries, award sponsors and our judging panel, which consists of independent business leaders and award sponsors.

Entry is still open for the awards – the closing date is Friday, August 28.

• To enter a category in this year’s awards, click here.