Business Development Award Sponsored by Howes Percival

Andrew Barnes, senior partner at Howes Percival, is in little doubt as to why the Business Development Award is one of the most popular and keenly contested.

“This is always such a great category because you get new companies or companies with new ventures targeting specific markets, up against existing organisations that have sometimes completely reinvented themselves as their market has changed,” he said. “We are looking for organisations that have made a real step change in their strategy and can demonstrate the results in terms of turnover, profit and job creation.

“Market conditions are still very difficult but this award is about finding those companies that have faced that challenge head-on and delivered growth. It is one thing to grow a company in the good times, it is quite another to do it in a downturn. This award shines a light on those that are doing something different and succeeding. Business development should be an essential aspect of running a good business. No one can stand still these days, you have to change, invest and develop new skills just to survive.

“Innovation, change and business development need to be part of an organisation’s DNA rather than something you just dip into from time to time. Last year the shortlisted companies covered the technology, transport and offshore sectors but we always get a great cross section of the Norfolk economy. Over the years that we’ve been involved in this award the one thing that seems to unite the best companies is how much they are focused on their customers – giving them products and services which they really value and providing a service level which exceeds expectations.”

Award Criteria

This popular category provides the opportunity for businesses which have grown significantly to receive recognition for their achievements.

The winner will have demonstrated how it has grown its overall business through innovation and planned development, supported by strategic investment.

This may, for example, have been achieved by the implementation of a new strategy, the launch of a new product or service or through a successful merger or acquisition.

The judges will be looking at how the development has been reflected in increased turnover and employment and, most importantly, in enhanced profitability.

They will also focus on sustainability and the long-term goals and strategy that have been put in place to maintain financial security and success.