Three London-based companies have been nominated for a national award celebrating businesses championing non-traditional routes into employment.
Communications consultant Rhotic Media, tea manufacturer NEMI Teas, and tech industry employability specialist Tech1M have all been recognised for efforts to provide apprenticeships, training and development opportunities for young people and other groups facing challenges in their search for employment.
The firms have been shortlisted for the first ever John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award, which was launched this year as part of the 2022 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with the charity Caudwell Children.
The award seeks to recognise those organisations removing barriers to work, including those related to discrimination, offering apprenticeships and training opportunities, and supporting non-graduates into employment and providing opportunities for their growth and career development.
Inspiration for the new category stems from Caudwell Children founder John Caudwell’s own early experience in the world of work as an apprentice at Michelin Tyres in Stoke-on-Trent.
Given how the grounding and practical know-how he gained in the role paved the way for him to become one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, Caudwell has been a passionate advocate for alternative routes into work and the encouragement of entrepreneurship within UK business.
In partnership with Starling Bank, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year and the finalists join an alumni of previous winners and finalists who have collectively turned over £30bn and created jobs for over 450,000 people.
Most recently, the programme has partnered with entertainment app TikTok, which will be running online business workshops as part of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards’ programme of continued support for alumni members beyond winning their award.
Twelve awards will be given out for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on November 21. To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.
John Caudwell said:
“Congratulations to the shortlisted finalists for the inaugural John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award. What you are doing to support and nurture young entrepreneurial talent deserves to be recognised.
“I’m sure it will be difficult to choose an outright winner, but I look forward to learning more about all of your organisations and your work – and then celebrating with you at the awards in November. Good luck!”
Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said that the new award recognised the importance of quality training in early career building:
“We love celebrating the very best business leaders at the forefront of their industries, but we are so excited to now be celebrating those who are instrumental in their entrepreneurial journeys too.
“There are so many hugely successful entrepreneurs who have been open about the fact that they weren’t particularly academic in their early years, and it’s far from uncommon for them not to have a university or higher education background. We’re proud to be adding the John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award to this year’s programme and saying thank you to the organisations and individuals who have recognised the potential in the young people who could be leading the business community of tomorrow.”
Speaking of the awards overall, she added:
“The quality of entrants coming from London and the East of England is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated in the applications this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the region.”
To book a place at the Grand Final in London on November 21, go to greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com