The past year has been like no other due to unprecedented challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, but we're giving you the chance to shine a light on your business in these testing times.

Amid all the struggles and extreme adversity, businesses in the South East region have displayed immense resilience, embracing workplace change and innovation, coupled with the unwavering drive to succeed.

Now, the Echo and sister titles of Newsquest Media Group in the South East region are teaming up with NatWest to shine a light on our Top 100 businesses.

We need businesses across London, Essex and Sussex to join our campaign to highlight innovation success, Covid-19 response, corporate social responsibility, equality and diversity and many other categories including Apprentice of the Year.

We want you to shout about your business and, in turn, we will run case studies – working in partnership with NatWest – to bang the drum for your business in our titles.

A panel of judges, with NatWest on board, will also decide on the Top 100 businesses for the region.

Victoria Birch, editor of the Echo, said: “We know there is a brilliant business base in the South East. We also know many have had to adapt to meet the challenges of coronavirus.

“As a result, businesses have had to adapt to unprecedented changes to their business model. We want to salute our businesses for their exceptional drive, determination and resilience.

“We can’t wait to hear from them so we can highlight those successful businesses that truly make a difference to our communities.”

Closing date is June 14.

There are 12 categories in total. To enter the awards, click on the category below that is relevant to you:

1. SME Business

Echo:

2. Business with a turnover of £1m to £5m

Echo:

3. Business with a turnover of £5m+

Echo:

4. Green Business

Echo:

5. Customer Focus

Echo:

6. Community focus/not for profit/charity

Echo:

7. Entrepreneur

Echo:

8. Innovation

Echo:

9. Outstanding contribution through Covid-19

Echo:

10. Apprentice of the Year

Echo:

11. Diversity and Inclusion

Echo:

12. Well-being company of the year

Echo:

To be in the running, nominate your business by simply clicking on the name of the relevant category above.

But be quick as the deadline is June 14.

 

Terms and conditons:

  • Entries close on June 14, 2021. However, the organisers - Newsquest Media Group - reserves the right to extend this should the need arise
  • All entries must be submitted online through Newsquest websites
  • No liability for entries which are lost or delayed will be accepted.
  • The NatWest and Newsquest Top 100 business campaign is free to enter and open to anyone over the age of 18 provided they represent in London and the South East. 
  • The various categories can be found here  Nominations can be from a sole trader, a private or public limited company, a partnership or limited liability partnership, a business unit within a company or a not-for-profit organisation or charity. However, nominations must be validated by a proper person/senior executive within that company.
  • In relation to the apprentice category, businesses can nominate individuals but individuals who nominate themselves must have consent from their relevant business.
  • Businesses submitting an entry can operate in any trading sector.
  • Businesses can enter in as many award categories as they wish
  • Third parties can put forward nominations on behalf of businesses or individuals, as long as the application is completed with full information and appropriate detail, and the company or person nominated validates the entry
  • The organisers will publicise entries and the results of the campaign across Newsquest titles (print, online and on social media) in London and the South East. NatWest may also share details on nominees and results as part of its channels.
  • A condition of the campaign is that nominees agree to the data they supply to be shared Newsquest and NatWest staff.
  • Nominees may refer to the competition in their own publicity material following approval by the organisers of such material where appropriate. Logos and agreed branding will be supplied.
  • By entering the competition, applicants agree that their data will be held centrally with Newsquest request deletion.
  • Any detail submitted as part of the nomination will be shared with judges, who will be from business, commerce and the public sector.
  • There can be no appeal against any decisions of the judges. No correspondence will be entered into.
  • The judges may change the deadline, and broaden categories if there are insufficient entries in any particular category. 
  • The organisers reserve the right to change the judging deadlines should circumstances necessitate.