Planning is now well underway by South and North Lanarkshire Councils as they prepare to host one of Scotland’s longest running awards.

The awards are open to all Lanarkshire businesses and social enterprises across all sectors and are free to enter.

Companies can apply for up to two of the ten categories. This year’s categories are:

• Lanarkshire’s Best Family Business – sponsored by Masonry Solutions Ltd
• Lanarkshire’s Innovation in Business Award – sponsored by LESL
• Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Visit Lanarkshire
• Lanarkshire’s Best Business (0-10 employees) – sponsored by Red Tree Business Suites at Clyde Gateway
• Lanarkshire’s Community Impact Award – sponsored by Morgan Sindall
• Lanarkshire’s Best Business (11-50 employees) – sponsored by City Facilities
• Lanarkshire’s Best Business (51 employees or more) – sponsored by UKSE
• Lanarkshire’s Best New Business – sponsored by Business Gateway Lanarkshire
• Journey to Net Zero Award – sponsored by CMS Windows
• Lanarkshire’s Employer of the Year – sponsored by North Lanarkshire’s Working and South Lanarkshire Works 4 U

David Booth, South Lanarkshire’s Executive Director of Community and Enterprise Resources, said: “After such a difficult time for everybody over the last two years and more it is great to see these awards return to the business calendar this year.

“I am sure every business putting themselves forward will be of the usual high standard and reflect how they have coped with the pandemic and so many other issues that are facing companies at this current time.

“The strength and resilience of our local businesses never ceases to amaze me, and I look forward to seeing the caliber of entries from across Lanarkshire.”

Business confidence is once again starting to build following the pandemic, with the number of start-ups engaging with Business Gateway increasing from 581 from March 2020 to February 2021 to 1065 from March 2021 to February 2022. This figure has almost doubled from the first year of the pandemic and demonstrates recovery across business sectors.

“It’s great news that the Excellence Awards are back in business following the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration at North Lanarkshire Council. “Their timing couldn’t be more significant, as businesses of all sizes recover from the impact of the pandemic and come together to recognise achievement over such a difficult period.

“Lanarkshire is home to thousands of companies, from small family-run businesses to large multi-nationals, delivering high quality services and products across many service areas. The Awards present an opportunity to highlight the incredible diversity, quality, resilience and innovation of our business sectors and celebrate their success.”

The closing date for all applications is Friday 29 April. Winners will be announced at the glittering awards dinner at Motherwell Concert Hall on Friday 2 September.   

For details of all categories and how to apply visit www.lanarkshirebusinessevents.co.uk           

There will also be two free online workshops offering advice on submitting award applications. These will be held on Monday 28 March and Thursday 21 April. Further details and how to register for these are also listed on the awards website.