Top Hertfordshire businesses will be looking forward to a magical evening at the home of Harry Potter after the launch of this year’s Inspiring Herts Awards.

The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration will be returning to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in June, when the leading lights in the business community will be recognised.

The awards, which were started in 2012, were opened for 2023 entries at the official launch on Thursday, January 26, at Hatfield House Riding School.

Briege Leahy, Herts Chamber CEO, said: “It is always a pleasure to officially open entries for the Inspiring Herts Awards.

“With 20 categories, there are plenty of opportunities for all businesses in our county.”

 

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Category sponsors and past winners were at the launch event to talk to prospective entrants and pass on their advice.

Kane International, which sells flue gas and engine exhaust analysers, was a double winner in 2021 when it won Medium to Large Business of the Year and Excellence in Customer Commitment.

Last year, the Welwyn Garden City company received a Queen’s Award for Innovation.

Jonathan Hoole, managing director at Kane, said: “We had never previously entered awards, but we were doing lots of good stuff, making improvements and had a strong vision to take the business forward.

“We attended the awards launch and decided to go ahead and enter. Doing the entry really makes you assess your business. The process you go through encourages you to take a close look at what you’re doing, almost like carrying out a SWOT analysis.

“I’d encourage all businesses to enter. Putting the application together is a positive step, it helps highlight areas for improvement and really look at where you are.

“Just being shortlisted is great. It’s such an amazing night when you get to talk to other businesses. And winning is great for your employees who can see that the company they work for has been recognised by its peers. It also shows your customers that you have third-party endorsement.”

Categories this year include Apprenticeship Champion, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Entrepreneur of the Year and, for the first time, Excellence in Business Diversification.

For more information on the Chamber, visit www.hertschamber.com/inspiring-herts-categories-and-entering 

Entries will close at 3pm on Friday, March 10, 2023.

The Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is based at York House, Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield.