CO-SPONSORS of the Company of the Year Award, Lester Aldridge and Santander, are searching for a Dorset business to win the region’s top accolade at this year’s Dorset Business Awards, in association with Daily Echo and Dorset Echo.

To be crowned Company of the Year, entrants will need to exhibit strategic thinking, dedication to innovation and the wider economy, as well as a strong commitment to staff and sustainable practices to benefit the whole county.

Judges will look for companies with a solid sales growth over three years, an outstanding financial track record and a commitment to increasing profitability.

Entrants will need to demonstrate:

  • Excellence in both products and services to customers
  • Past achievements and future plans
  • Financial performance
  • The identification and exploitation of new markets
  • Commitment to the training and development needs of employees
  • Contribution to enhancing Dorset’s business reputation and protecting the county’s environment

Last year’s Company of the Year award winner, TeamJobs, was chosen for its impressive growth and consistent all-round performance.

Now employing up to 50 people across two offices, the company has grown steadily over the last 10 years, making positive investments in staff and the business, which complements the local Dorset economy with the potential to develop, not just on a local scale but nationally.

Managing director of TeamJobs Jason Gault, said: “Winning this award was a monumental milestone for our business. It was an emotional experience for the whole company and gave us huge self-belief and recognition of what we had achieved and the hard work we had put into transforming our business over the last two years.

“Modern business is about not standing still; it’s about innovating, developing and importantly inspiring your staff and customers.

“The Dorset Business Awards gives you a stage to learn, to show your staff you mean business, to inspire those around you and showcase what you do really well.

“Winning the award has helped us when tendering for new business; it still surprises us now how many people say ‘You are that company that won company of the year.’”

Grant Esterhuizen, partner and head of corporate and commercial at Lester Aldridge, said: “We are proud to sponsor an award which recognises a dynamic Dorset company that is committed to all-round excellence.

“From sales to staff growth, we are looking for a local firm, or subsidiaries of national and international businesses with a BH/DT postcode, who can demonstrate an outstanding financial track record and a commitment to increasing profitability.”

Mark Robertson, relationship director in Santander’s corporate and commercial banking team in Dorset, added: “To be named Dorset’s premier company, the winning firm needs to be a leader in its market with dedication to excellence in products and services and a dynamic approach to quality and innovation.

“We are looking forward to finding out who is at the top of their game through this year’s awards campaign.”

Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the awards are also backed by leading radio station Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entrants can submit an entry via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk.

The closing date for entry is Friday, September 9.

Entry is open to companies based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode and entrants do not need to be a member of DCCI.

For information about the awards, sponsorship or the gala Dinner at the BIC on Thursday, November 24, please contact the DBA team on 01202 714800.