Categories open for entry from Wednesday 21st May 2025. Entries close on Sunday 3rd August 2025.

Judging will then take place. We have two judges per category (representatives from the category sponsor and an, Expert or previous winner as the second judge) will review your entry and individually mark it against the five-point criteria, with the top six - eight businesses making it through to the next round of judging.

Judging will take place virtually or in person and will be completed by Friday 26th September. All businesses will be advised of their standing in the awards once judging is complete. The judges will supply feedback to each business.

Finalists will be announced in a special supplement in the Eastern Daily Press, online and via social media on Wednesday 5th November.

The Award ceremony will take place on Thursday 27th November at the Norfolk Showground.

Winning a Norfolk Business Award marks a milestone in your company’s history. It recognises your business journey and helps to celebrate your achievements.

Entering a category provides you with the opportunity to build your network and grow professional relationships.

We work to raise your brand profile through increasing coverage of your business throughout the awards process and afterward in articles, in both print and online, and extra social media coverage.

Read the below blog by Rebecca Headdon at R13 Recruitment, 2021 Customer Excellence Winners.

We were blown away to win the EDP Business “Customer Excellence” Award in 2021, especially in a category with some exceptionally strong competition and tough judging criteria. 

As a result, we were asked to join their webinar on Thu 7th July, to talk about why we got involved with the Awards, our experience of applying, and what benefit it has provided to the business as a result. 

For anyone interested, we wanted to share this follow up blog which just gives a bit more info and context on these questions, and to hopefully help you with your awards entry journey and application.  

So firstly, this wasn’t our first time applying. Back in 2015, when we were 2 years old, we entered the running’s for the Small Business Award. We were very lucky to be shortlisted after going through the interview process with the inspiring (and slightly daunting) Minnie Moll & Simon Watson, and had a fab evening at the ceremony, but we didn’t win that time. What we did learn was lots from the process and met some brilliant people and forged some lasting relationships. The process made us take some time out to really assess the strengths and development areas for our young business. Time for reflection doesn’t come especially easily (well time in general really!!), so that in itself was invaluable, and we identified areas we could improve to make the business better and better. It was a journey and it still is – I think it is for every organization. SO, if you’ve applied before, without doubt, apply again. 

We started the process in 2021 reasonably early. We selected Customer Excellence as our category for several reasons. Not least because it is an area we excel in (obvs!!), but also we really wanted to challenge (some) people’s perceptions of recruiters. We wanted the opportunity to celebrate our teams approach, their exceptional hard work and dedication to supporting candidates and businesses. It’s [a lot] harder to be a recruiter who puts service first, but it’s a darn sight more rewarding, and that is what drives our people – adding value to the process. The Business Awards is an awesome opportunity to get your message out there within the local business community – a fantastic platform. 

We learnt from our previous foray, that making time to nail your entry pays off. We started our application process early. We gathered evidence to support our statements. We involved the whole team – they came up with some fresh new perspectives and thoughts which we could incorporate. We identified some stand out moments, and homed in on our differentiators and strengths, and identified how best to talk about them. We were PREPARED. 

We put together our application using all those different elements to strengthen it, and then we got multiple people to review it and to challenge it – and we tweaked it. We wanted it to be robust – bullet-proof!! Most of all, it came from the heart. From all our hearts as a team. Service isn’t something that comes from 1 person – it has to be a shared vision – a belief – a desire to deliver as a team. 

We made it through to the judging, so that was very exciting! Next step was a virtual call with the judges who probed, explored, challenged and dissected our entry (in a good way!). We were ready for them – we knew that application inside and out and we knew the justification, the pressure points, the examples and MORE. We were prepped and we were ready to handle whatever was thrown at us!! 

On the night, we genuinely thought another of the entrants would win. We were up for having a good night and celebrating with them, seeing some friendly faces, meeting some new faces. So, when our names were called, we were SHOCKED. Delighted but shocked. Totally unprepared. Totally in awe of Kanya King. Maybe a few wines down (def didn’t expect to have to make an acceptance speech – whooooops!), but that made it all the more raw, genuine and authentic. 

In the wake of the win (post morning after sore heads – it’s a good celebration opportunity), the response, support and opportunities we received were way above our expectations. So many people reached out with their congrats. The award entry and win has absolutely opened opportunities for us as a business. From current client being proud to work with a recruiter who generally has everyone’s best interests at heart, to a huge number of candidate referrals, inbound business coming through from like-minded organizations, the coverage in the press, the opportunity to contribute regularly to features in the EDP, even our recruitment peers reaching out and making referrals to us! 

Not only that, but our team felt (and feel) recognized / validated for all of the hard work they do. It can be a tough gig, especially when there are STILL recruiters out there who shortchange clients with a mediocre service (Oh this is a WHOLE other conversation, but I’ll stay off my soap box today 😉). Our amazing team hold themselves to account on service - they WANT to continue to exceed expectations, they WANT to continue to innovate, to improve and they push us to facilitate that in the business. This is interwoven into the R13 DNA – in our values and our ethics – it bleeds through everything we do and we stand for. This process helped us to solidify our brand message. 

And in turn, it has formed part of OUR recruitment strategy. We attract people who WANT to do recruitment differently to some of our competitors. Our team has grown with new recruits who also put service at the forefront and value that experience they deliver. People who want to be part of that story and that success. 

So – would we recommend getting involved and entering the awards? If you couldn’t guess, we would say 100% YES. A great opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonderful Norfolk business community, promote your strengths, have fun with your team and make new connections. 

DO IT!! 

With over 20 years’ experience celebrating business achievement, the last 24 months have been unparalleled in the obstacles faced and challenges overcome.

We’re certain that there are countless reasons for businesses to celebrate at this year’s awards, so here are some tips on what you can do to add that little bit extra to your entry, as well as some things to avoid.

DO

STAND OUT

This is your chance to highlight why your business is unique in the market place. What initiatives have been behind your success this year? What makes you different?

BE RELEVANT

Simply cramming everything your business does into the entry and hoping for the best won’t do. Make sure your entry is laserfocussed on the award you are hoping to win.

BE CLEAR AND CONCISE

There are a lot of entries – you need to get your message across quickly and grab the judges’ attention.

CHECK AND CHECK AGAIN

Spelling and grammar errors matter. Silly mistakes give a bad impression of your business.

PROVIDE EVIDENCE

Making a claim and not backing it up won’t cut it with the judges. So, make sure you can prove what you are saying.

DON'T

BE LAZY

Simply copying and pasting links from your online reviews is not what the judges are looking for.

WAFFLE

We want to know all about your triumphs – but get to the point quickly and move on to the next reason your business should be

nominated.

FIB

You will get found out – and our judges have long memories.

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

We are sure your plans for the next 12 months are stellar – but you can tell us about them when they have come to fruition.

LEAVE IT TO THE LAST MINUTE

Rushed entries rarely win awards. Give yourself time to ensure you say everything you need to.

Join us for our 'How to Produce a Stand-out Entry for the Norfolk Business Awards 2025' Webinar on 16th June at 10am.

Sign up here

For more information about tickets when they become available, please complete the contact form below.