4 minute read
Southwark Business Awards
The Southwark Business Resilience Awards 2021
This year’s incarnation of the borough’s prestigious Southwark Business Excellence Awards launches with an online event on Wednesday, June 23.
The reinvention of the hugely popular awards programme – in association with long-time partner London South Bank University - reflects the challenges and opportunities that businesses have faced during the pandemic and acknowledges how they have adapted and innovated to ensure they survive through lockdown.
The awards – featuring the strapline ‘We are stronger together’ - are organised by White Label on behalf of Southwark Chamber of Commerce and Southwark Council. They are run in partnership with London South Bank University and sponsors include high-profile companies invested in the borough of Southwark including British Land, Elephant and Castle Town Centre, Landsec and Lendlease. They are designed to appeal to every type and size of enterprise from start-ups to SME’s and large corporates. White Label Head of Events, Julie Leggatt, said: “Our usual campaign which recognises highly-successful and high-achieving businesses and individuals culminates in a black-tie Gala Ball with dinner and dancing. Given the impact COVID-19 has had on both businesses and communities, this didn’t feel quite right for 2021 – although we do anticipate that with lockdown restrictions lifting, we will return to our usual glitz and glamour next year. “Many businesses have thrived in 2020/21 despite the pandemic, perhaps through creatively adapting their business model, while others have showed remarkable grit and ingenuity to keep going, or when forced to close have channelled their resources to support others who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. We wanted to recognise this spirit of resilience, innovation and charitableness found in abundance in Southwark businesses.” Businesses can apply for up to two, free-to-enter categories via the Southwark Business Resilience Awards website from June 23.
Categories include: • COVID-19 Business Resilience Award • Business Pivot Award • Sustainable Green Investment Award • Local Lockdown Hero • Community Collaboration in Response to Covid-19 • COVID-19 Start Up • Outstanding Team Award • Young Person’s Contribution • COVID-19 Business Commitment to Education, Training & Skills
After the closing date for entries, a list of finalists will be drawn up for a public vote. The Awards winners – including the overall Southwark Business of the Year – will be exclusively announced at a Virtual Awards Ceremony. Last year, as lockdown meant all major events were cancelled, the awards presentation moved online. Held in November, the Virtual Awards Ceremony saw more than 190 hopefuls and their friends, family and colleagues log in to watch the awards evening, hosted by award-winning broadcaster Fayon Dixon. The event was hailed a great success with participants dressing in formal evening wear, enjoying their drinks and nibbles via Zoom, as they listened with anticipation to the winners’ names being called. A total of 11 categories were decided on the evening, including the prestigious Southwark Business of the Year Award, which was won by Peace Ballers. Zion Zachary, who set up the football enterprise in May 2019, also won Entrepreneur of the Year for his role in mentoring young people to tackle youth crime in the borough. Using football as a way to bring young people together, Peace Ballers uses mentoring to develop enterprising skills in young people. Zion said: “I am personally very touched to have been recognised as a winner, and am totally blown away. This really has been an amazing year for us. We are in the events sector, and had to shut down, but we are problem-solvers so put our efforts into creating our online events solution. I didn’t launch my own business when I was younger as I wanted to be ready, and I have learned so much. I am elated by the recognition.” Sarah Moore-Williams, Dean, School of Business at LSBU, said: LSBU Business School is very proud to support the Southwark Business Awards for the third year in a row. Our commitment to this initiative is recognition of the importance of business sustainability for our local community. The past eighteen months have been hard. As we come out of COVID, we need to celebrate our resilience, regroup to move forward as one, supporting each other as we go to create a better life for us all. These awards give thanks for all we have done and a bridge to look forward to an exciting future, we are very proud to support them.”
