Keen for a way to recognise and celebrate the significant difference made by people and businesses in the Black Country, the Chamber has modified their annual business awards to give it a business ‘heroes’ focus, reflecting an on-going campaign that has been active since the start of the pandemic.

There are 13 categories which aim to draw out the innovative and diverse range of outstanding contributions by Black Country organisations and employees during these difficult times.

Large Business
Small Business
Family Business
International Trade
Start-Up Business
Retail Resilience
Business Hero of the Year
Young Business Hero of the Year
Collaboration & Partnership
Outstanding Key Worker

University Awards:

Adaptability & Innovation
Kindness in the Community
Exceptional Employee or Team

Headline partner, the University of Wolverhampton has actively contributed three of the categories. Richard Nicklin, Deputy Director of Business Engagement at the University said: “In the context of the community response to the pandemic which has been overwhelming internally at the University - with both students and staff giving their time and efforts to fighting the virus in all kinds of ways - and also externally, we decided to introduce three new categories which better represent the current climate.
“In the spirit of the Chamber of Commerce celebrating local business heroes, as the headline partner of the event, our categories will focus on recognition for those businesses who have adapted their services and showed real innovation throughout the crisis; celebrating an exceptional employee or team and shining the spotlight on individuals or companies that have shown kindness in the community.”
Nominations can be made through the Black Country Chamber Awards website which closes at 5pm on Friday September 11.
The shortlisted nominations will be announced towards the end of September and the final will be on November 13.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce said, “I am so pleased we have found a brilliant way to recognise the impact that the Black Country businesses and individuals have been making during the Coronavirus pandemic. I have heard of many great contributions and I am really looking forward to seeing the nominations.
“We’ll be announcing more about the Awards event itself in the coming weeks, suffice to say, it is going to be exciting, full of energy and a fitting celebration of our Business Heroes.
“I would also like to formally acknowledge and thank the University for their involvement this year. It is great to have the support of such a well-respected, world-renowned institution and their collaboration with us on the Awards is invaluable.”
The Business Heroes Awards are open to all businesses in the Black Country (including non-Chamber members). Nominations and further details can be found on the website.