Setting the scene for two major awards ceremonies in November, All Things Business invited the judges, sponsors and special guests to the launch event for the 2024 Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards (NBEAs) and the Northamptonshire Education Awards (NEAs).
Held at Reed’s Northampton offices on the Brackmills Business Park in February, the event was an opportunity for all those involved to meet, network and find out more about the awards process and the forthcoming awards nights.
The Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards will be held on Thursday, November 7 at the County Ground, the home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club; the Northamptonshire Education Awards will be held on Friday, November 29 at the same venue.
Hosts for each of the two awards nights will be announced soon. Among this year’s sponsors are Tick Education, who will be the headline sponsors for the Northamptonshire Education Awards, as well as last year’s Business of the Year, Mannol, who are this year sponsoring the Innovation Award at the NBEAs; and Silverstone Museum, new sponsor of the STEM Award at the NEAs.
The judges for the NBEAs have been announced. Apprentice star Nick Hewer returns as Head Judge, and he will be joined by Rachel Mallows MBE DL from The Mallows Company; Tim Grantham, Site General Manager at Howdens Joinery Co; and Claire Harvey, Managing Director – UK Network at Reed.
Making those crucial decisions about the NEA entries will be Simon Driver, Headmaster of Milton Keynes Preparatory School; Amanda Marlow from Aiimi, and Gamiel Yafai, CEO of Diversity Marketplace.
This year’s business awards will feature 15 categories including, for the first time, Venue of the Year and Employee of the Year; the education awards will see schools, colleges and individuals compete in 13 categories including three new awards – IT Champion, Unsung Hero and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion. Entries for both awards must be in by Friday, August 23.
At the launch event, All Things Business Managing Director Ben Thomas said:
“This year’s awards will be bigger and better than ever, and we are delighted to have new sponsors, new categories and new judges on board. “At the heart of everything we do is that business needs education and education needs business and it is a source of great pride to us that we recognise both, and that so many businesses in the county get involved in helping make them such special occasions. I’m sure our sponsors, finalists and guests will be very excited about what’s in store on the big nights.”
The event also saw the launch of a permanent Tech Together programme, building on the campaign that originally ran during the pandemic. In 2021, All Things Business, Nene Education Trust and IT firm Bechtle (then ACS) worked together to collect unused or unwanted laptops from local organisations and wipe them ready for delivery to schools which then made them available to children who had no means of completing schoolwork at home.
Ben Thomas said:
“There is still a very real need for this support and for the donation of hundreds of more digital devices. By launching a permanent Tech Together programme, we will support schools so their pupils can learn and grow using digital technology and ensure that no child is at a disadvantage through digital poverty.” The Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards will be held on November 7 and the Northamptonshire Education Awards on November 29, at the County Ground, the home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
For more information visit the awards website here or email awards@allthingsbusiness.co.uk. To find out more about Tech Together call 01604 250900 or email news@allthingsbusiness.co.uk
