It’s a family affair!

 Organised and backed by The Wilson Organisation, a Nottingham-based third-generation family business, the awards celebrate and recognise the success, achievements and innovations of family-run businesses and raise funds for local charities at the awards dinner.

This is the only independent and not-for-profit awards of its kind and with ten free-to-enter categories including Family Business of the Year, Fastest Growing Family Businesses, Employer of the Year, Best Small Family Business, Manufacturing Excellence, Corporate Social Responsibility and Service Excellence, there is an accolade suitable for every business.

Exciting new categories this year include – Next Generation Family Business Leader, Construction & Property Excellence and an extra special category called Rising Stars. Rising Stars celebrates newly established family businesses that have a bright future, recognising achievements to date and providing a professional support package for 2020 to assist growth.

Taking place on 7th November at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, the black-tie awards dinner attracts over 300 guests including awards finalists, independent judges and sponsors.

The judges are an independent panel, led by a family business leader, industry expert and the category sponsor, and all finalists are entered into the People’s Choice Award, voted by the public.

Group managing director of The Wilson Organisation, Charlotte Perkins, said: “Having launched the awards back in 2010, our aim has always been to shine a light on the region’s talented and successful family businesses and to play our part in creating a community of likeminded and supportive individuals.

“The awards have grown year on year and I think that is testament to the volume and calibre of brilliant firms in our region, and the fact that family businesses embrace celebrating their own success and that of others.

“We are proud to be in our tenth year and we look forward to receiving entries and meeting other regional family businesses in November. We also have a few fun surprises for our finalists and guests to get involved with on the evening. I wish all the businesses who enter the best of luck!”

Category sponsors for 2019 include OrderWise (headline sponsor), Buckles Solicitors, PwC, Shakespeare Martineau, Streets Chartered Accountants and Ward Recycling.

David Hallam who is Managing Director at OrderWise, winners of the 2017 Midlands Family Business of the Year Award said: “Receiving recognition at the Midlands Family Business Awards, as well as sponsoring it last year and for the 10th Anniversary this year, has raised our profile regionally. As veterans of many award submissions, we can also say it is one of the more straightforward to enter thanks to their simple-to-use online entry form.”

If you’re a growing family business with a recent success story to tell, these awards provide a great platform for this to be recognised and I’d certainly recommend entry in 2019.”

Donald Ward, Commercial Manager at Ward said: “We are proud to be a sponsor of the Midlands Family Business Awards as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. We were excited to win two awards last year, which has been tremendous for our business.

“Being recognised as a fast-growing family business that has ambitious plans for the future was testament to our hard-working team. And for us, taking home the top prize, Family Business of the Year was truly special, so we encourage other family businesses to enter this year, celebrate their successes and get the recognition that their efforts deserve."

In 2018 the awards drew over 130 entries from a range of family businesses across the Midlands. Innovation and commitment to excellence was clear across all winners, alongside strong family values.

The much-deserving Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and The Midlands Air Ambulance are the charities that the awards will be supporting this year.

Nominations for the 2019 awards close 12th July and can be submitted via the website - just click on the 'enter now' link on the home page!