Cornwall Business Awards 2020 open for entries

The search is on for the best of the best as the Cornwall Business Awards launch for 2020. From great places to work and customer experience, to exporters and rising stars; the Awards recognise companies that demonstrate why Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is such a great place to do business.

Now in its 15th year, the Awards are organised by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth and Skills Hub, who provide an independent and impartial service to help businesses grow through support and training.

The team at the Growth and Skills Hub have been busy promoting and developing the Awards since the event last June and this year are introducing three new categories, recognising the contribution made to business success by employees, finance and inclusive workplaces.

Kirsty Miles-Musgrave, Communications Manager for the Growth and Skills Hub explains “We wanted to recognise that business growth is also driven by the staff who come to work every day. So, as well as celebrating how management teams can build companies and growth, and the leaders with vision who inspire their team, we wanted to recognise the other people that make a business great as well as the impact finance can have.  The new Employee of the Year, Beacon Inclusivity and Business Finance Awards do just that.”

The Awards are completely free to enter, and businesses should register with the website to take a look at the categories as well as receive top tips and guidance from the Growth & Skills Hub on completing their application.

The finalists for each category will be announced at the start of May and will also be in the running for a £10,000 marketing campaign from Media Partner Pirate FM, including digital and on-air advertising, as well as the People’s Choice Award – chosen via public vote.

Any business or sole trader based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can apply with applications open until Midnight Monday 23rdMarch.  

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub and Skills Hub are part funded by the European Structural & Investment Funds and match funded by Cornwall Council, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Award Categories for 2020

Beacon Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Beacon Project



Best Business with a Purpose – sponsored by CORSERV



Best Customer Experience – sponsored by Jobline Staffing



Best Family Business – sponsored by St Austell Printing Company



Best New Business – sponsored by Outset Cornwall



Best Place to Work – sponsored by Skills Hub



Business Finance Award – sponsored by CIOS Investment Fund



Business Leader of the Year – sponsored by InFocus from Unlocking Potential



Clean Growth Award – sponsored by Impact, Innovation and Business at the University of Exeter



Employee of the Year – sponsored by Truro & Penwith College



Exporter of the Year – sponsored by Business Cornwall



Growth Business of the Year – sponsored by Access to Finance



Rising Star Award   – sponsored by Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP



Sole Trader of the Year – sponsored by Lang Bennetts



Third Sector Award – sponsored by Eden Project



People's Choice 2020 – sponsored by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (public vote)



Pirate FM Brand Builder Award – sponsored by Pirate FM

The Awards are also supported by

Cornwall Innovation

Vickery Holman

DCA PR

Key dates

Applications open now

Entry deadline Midnight Monday 23rd March 2020

Awards date is 25th June 2020