The benchmark of excellence
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The Great British Excellence Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations doing exceptional work. Explore the categories and help recognise someone shaping the future through their achievement, leadership and impact.
The Legacy of Leadership Award
Individual Excellence AwardsBusiness Owner of the Year
Honouring the business owner whose leadership is shaping business
About this category
Business Owner of the Year honours a business owner in any sector who runs and grows their own business, taking the risks and the responsibility. Judges look for the decisions they made, the results those decisions delivered, and the people and organisation they have built along the way.
Eligibility
- Open to business owners working in any sector
- Any size of organisation, from start-ups to large companies
- Must hold the role, or one equivalent to it, at the time of entry
Judging criteria
- Leadership: vision, direction and the decisions taken
- Results: growth, performance and outcomes delivered
- People: how they build, develop and inspire teams
- Influence: their standing and influence beyond their own organisation
Qualitative criteria
- Clear, confident vision
- Integrity and accountability
- Resilience under pressure
- Develops the leaders of tomorrow
Metrics
- Revenue, profit or growth under their leadership
- Major milestones, launches or turnarounds led
- Team growth, retention and engagement
- Recognition, awards or industry profile
Additional criteria
- Achievements should fall mainly within the last three years
- Supporting figures are treated in confidence
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