Below is a guide to which award categories to enter – entry is free.
Any business based in or operating in North Devon can enter or be nominated in one or more of the 12 awards categories.
You can enter yourself or your own business and / or you can nominate other businesses.
Click a category title to open the entry form page for that award.
Artist Business Achievement Award
Any business that produces, sells or supplies art of any description.
Entrants can be any size and can be new or experienced art businesses.
Artist Support Business Excellence Award
Any business that nurtures and supports artist businesses in the area.
These include but are not limited to galleries, venues, agents, tutors, trainers and business advisers.
Best Employer Award
Any business employing staff can enter.
Any employee working for a North Devon business can nominate their employer.
Customers, suppliers or external advisers can nominate employers.
Best Retailer Award
Any retailer who operates a bricks-and-mortar shop and / or online store can enter.
Owners, directors, managers and employees can enter the shop they work in.
Customers, suppliers or external advisers can nominate retailers.
Business-to-Business Excellence Award
Any North Devon business who provides business-to-business products or services to other businesses can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Examples of B2B services include accountancy, business advice, business and office supplies, catering, communications, consultancy, debt collection and factoring, design, engineering, equipment hire and supply, export advice, financial, human resources, hygiene and cleaning, industrial, health & safety, IT & technical, leasing and rental, legal, maintenance, management, manufacturing, marketing, merchandising, printing, recycling, refrigeration, sales, training, transport, translators, waste services and similar.
Consumer Service Excellence Award
Any North Devon business who provides services direct to residents and the public can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Examples of consumer services include barbers, beauticians, dentists, carers, car washes, entertainers, domestic cleaners, garages and mechanics, gardeners, personal fitness coaches and trainers, hairdressers, health practitioners, opticians and eyecare, personal chefs, personal tutors, solicitors, taxis and transport, travel agents, will writers, window and gutter cleaners, and similar.
Digital & Online Achievement Award
Any North Devon business using digital or internet technology can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Uses can include running a web site, using social media, operating an online store, or providing digital services such as online tuition or consultancy. It also includes using online or cloud systems such as accounting packages, video conferencing, online booking or calendar systems, networks to connect virtual workers or those on the move, systems that manage business processes to improve efficiency and customer experience, and similar.
(Businesses developing technology products such as software as a product to sell (e.g. a wordprocessing or database package) or apps can enter the Made in North Devon Award.)
Excellence in Construction Award
Any North Devon business operating in the building and construction sector can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Eligible trades include air conditioning, architects, bricklayers, builders, carpenters and joiners, carpeting and flooring, commercial landscaping, construction, decorators, electricians, gas fitters, heating and ventilation, maintenance, plumbing, security systems, structural engineers, surveyors, windows and glazing, and similar.
Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award
Any North Devon business in the hospitality or tourism sector can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
These can include activity providers, bed and breakfasts, cafés, catering suppliers, experience providers, holiday homes, hotels, pubs, restaurants, services for visitors, takeaways, visitor attractions and similar.
International Trade & Exports
Any North Devon business that develops international trade relationships or exports products or services to other countries can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
This includes businesses that supply direct to foreign customers or who sell to consumers abroad through their shop or online store.
Export products and services can include artworks, business advice, business services (such as accountancy, consultancy, marketing, translation), components, consumer goods, engineering services, equipment, finished products, food and drink, intellectual property, IT development and programming, materials and similar.
Made in North Devon Award
Any North Devon business who manufactures physical products, develops technology products or produces food and drink can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Physical products can include components, consumer goods, finished products, industrial equipment, materials, printed materials and similar.
Food and drink produce can include crops, and food and drink products such as chocolate or beer.
Technology products include software sold as a product (e.g. a wordprocessing or database system) or apps. (Businesses creating digital content such as web sites can enter the Digital and Online Achievement Award.)
Outstanding New Business Award
Any North Devon business started on or after 1 January 2019 can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
This includes existing businesses acquired by and transformed by new owners.
Sustainable Business Award
Any North Devon business committed to promoting and achieving sustainability can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Sustainable activity includes practising or supporting landscape / wildlife conservation, reducing waste and actively recycling, reducing energy use or switching to renewable energy, repurposing recycled or recovered materials for their products and services, practising ecotourism, promoting local knowledge and cultural heritage to residents and tourists, and similar.
Young Achiever Award
Any North Devon apprentice, employee, trainee or entrepreneur aged 30 or under on 1 March 2022 can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.
Apprentices, employees and trainees can be nominated by business owners, managers, trainers, advisers or customers.
Entrepreneurs starting their own business can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else.