Categories

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.

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.

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

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.
Those trading for more than two years can not enter this category.

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.

Purpose: 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.
Criteria: 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Purpose: To recognise any apprentice who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their trainer or mentor
Criteria: The judges will be looking for inspirational stories of young 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.

Purpose: 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!
Criteria: The judges will look for evidence and testimonials that confirm all of the above.

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!

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.

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.

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

The judges will select the Business of the Year from the winners of the other categories.