Hull BID Awards to celebrate 10-year milestone
‘IMPORTANT SHOWCASE’: Adam Barnes, director of Prestige Recruitment, with Hull BID executive director Kathryn Shillito
By Simon Bristow
Hull BID has announced its 2024 awards with backing from an array of city centre businesses and other organisations.
Prestige Recruitment, which operates in Hull, Leeds, Huddersfield and throughout the UK, is the main partner for the awards – first held ten years ago – and also sponsors the outstanding contribution category.
Other sponsors have stepped up from sectors including law, languages, creative design, contact centres, commercial development and public transport. Hull City Council and the Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner are sponsoring categories which promote a better business environment through stylish premises and community involvement.
Prestige Recruitment and its team of more than 50 won the community category in 2022 and Adam Barnes, director of the company, said as sponsors they are aiming to give something back and help city centre businesses make a confident start to 2024 with the closing date for entries in January and the gala presentation night in February.
He said: “The process of entering the awards was very beneficial for us because it meant we looked closely at everything we do, and that’s a key part of how to improve your business.
“We were thrilled to be recognised for our work in the community with various important causes and now we’re showing our support for the business community in our home city.
“We operate across all the sectors covered by the awards and the timing couldn’t be better as we launch our winter recruitment offer encouraging people to explore a possible change of a career to banish the January blues.
“But the main reason for sponsoring is to showcase the importance of the Hull city centre business community locally and further afield, highlighting resilience, innovation and adaptability.”
Kathryn Shillito, Hull BID executive director, said: “It’s quite something to think about how the awards have progressed since 2014 and to recall the achievements of so many fantastic city centre businesses.
“We experienced an electric atmosphere from the outset when we launched the awards at Hull Truck Theatre. Things have really taken off since then and we are very grateful to Prestige Recruitment Specialists for supporting us as main sponsors in a milestone year.
“Every year we have attracted more competitors representing a wider range of business sectors. The standards are improving and the categories are evolving to reflect the changes in the world of business.
“It’s all about giving BID member businesses a chance to shine at the end of another year of innovation, enterprise and sheer hard work and there really is something for everybody.
“They can enter as a business, or can nominate themselves as individuals, and they can put colleagues forward as a thank-you for their amazing efforts. Importantly, applications in support of any BID business are also welcomed from the public.
“Those who make the shortlist can come along to the glittering ceremony and enjoy a spectacular party night in a magnificent venue – dinner, dancing and a drink or two with friends and colleagues from the city centre business community.
“The 2023 edition attracted over 330 people to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel earlier this year and we expect demand to be even higher this time.”
Entries for the awards can be submitted now through the Hull BID events website with a deadline of 5pm on Monday, January 22, 2024. The presentation night will take place on Friday, February 23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hull.
Entry is free and businesses can enter as many categories as they like provided they complete a separate form for each one. Shortlisted businesses will qualify for four free tickets for the big celebration night, with extra tickets available a discount.
To view the awards categories, complete the application and find out more about how to get your tickets for the celebration night visit https://hullbidevents.co.uk/
Awards categories:
Innovation – Sponsored by Bridge McFarland
Stylish or Welcoming Premises – Sponsored by Hull City Council
Outstanding Employee or Team Award – Sponsored by AaGlobal
Longevity – Sponsored by Allenby Commercial
Customer Service Excellence– Sponsored by Clearanswer
Contribution to the Community – Sponsored by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
Commitment to Health and Wellbeing – Sponsored by Bryce Mennell
The Best in Food and Drink – Sponsored by Hull Trains
The Best Place to Work – Sponsored by St Stephen’s
Outstanding Contribution – Sponsored by Prestige Recruitment
Judges Special Recognition Award – Sponsored by East Yorkshire Buses