Category Information
This award recognises an outstanding organisation that has created a supportive, inclusive and engaging workplace where people can thrive. It celebrates employers that place employee wellbeing, development and engagement at the heart of their business, resulting in a motivated, high performing and committed workforce.
Judges are looking for organisations that demonstrate a genuine commitment to their people through strong leadership, positive workplace culture and investment in employee development. This award celebrates employers that understand the value of their workforce and have created an environment where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
Judges are looking for:
- Evidence of strong leadership and an effective management structure
- A clear people strategy and human resources approach that creates an engaging and supportive workplace
- Clearly defined company values and evidence of how these are embedded throughout the organisation
- A commitment to employee wellbeing and a range of meaningful employee benefits
- Evidence of high levels of employee engagement, satisfaction and retention
- Investment in training, development and career progression opportunities
- Examples of inclusion and a respectful and collaborative workplace culture where people feel valued, supported and able to contribute
- Evidence of a robust and effective recruitment and onboarding process
- Demonstrable business benefits resulting from investment in people, culture and employee engagement
- Evidence that employee feedback is actively sought, listened to and acted upon
- Examples of innovative people practices that support organisational performance and employee engagement
The strongest entries usually combine a compelling story with measurable evidence of impact.
For any queries regarding your entry, please get in touch with the Chamber team at info@somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.
How do I enter?
All you need to do is complete the online entry form, making sure that you understand the criteria for the category/ies that you wish to enter.
- Choose your category
- Enter a statement of up to 800 words explaining why your business merits an award
- Highlight up to six key points selling your company to the judges
- Attach up to five pieces of evidence to support your application – attachments can be up to a maximum of 2MB each.
- Attach the company logo
Does my business qualify?
All businesses entering the awards must be based within the district council administrative boundaries of Sedgemoor, South Somerset, Mendip and Somerset West and Taunton. Business can also enter if they are based within the following North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset postcodes:
BS21, 22, 23, 24, 40, 48 and 49
The business should have its head office within the defined eligible area set out above. If this is not the case, the entry MUST demonstrate that the enterprise has local autonomy over business planning, marketing, HR and budget within the eligible areas listed above.
If you are unsure if you qualify, please get in touch.
“The Somerset Business Awards was such an amazing event, we felt very privileged to attend. Just being there and being a finalist was a big achievement but to win was something we could of only dreamt off. It lifted morale within the team and I felt so proud lifting the award.”
Award Judges
Matt Huggett
Matt Huggett is a Partner in the Employment team at Stephens Scown, advising businesses, HR professionals and senior leaders on employment law, workplace culture and strategic people issues. With more than 20 years’ experience, he combines legal expertise with first-hand leadership and business ownership experience, helping organisations create productive, engaged and thriving workplaces. He is passionate about supporting employers to get the best from their people and is delighted to be judging the Employer of the Year Award.
Helen Williams
Helen Williams is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team at Stephens Scown and leads the firm’s Somerset team. An experienced property disputes lawyer, she advises businesses, developers, landowners and individuals on complex and often high-value disputes, combining legal expertise with a practical, commercial approach that helps clients navigate challenges with confidence.
Passionate about supporting Somerset’s business community, Helen works closely with organisations and stakeholders across the county to champion growth, collaboration and opportunity. She is delighted to be judging the Employer of the Year Award.
Sponsored By
Stephens Scown
Stephens Scown is one of the South West’s leading law firms, trusted by businesses, organisations and individuals across the region and beyond. With offices in Exeter, Taunton, Truro and Bournemouth, the firm combines the strength and expertise of a major regional practice with a deep understanding of the communities and economies it serves.
For businesses in Somerset, that means access to specialist legal expertise across every stage of the business lifecycle, from start-up and growth through to investment, acquisition, employment matters, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. The firm’s sector-focused teams work alongside ambitious businesses of all sizes, providing commercially focused advice that helps clients manage risk, unlock opportunities and achieve their goals.
Stephens Scown is employee-owned and B Corp™ Certified, reflecting a commitment to delivering long-term value for clients while maintaining the highest standards of governance, culture and social responsibility. This combination of technical excellence, commercial insight and purpose-driven leadership has helped establish the firm as a trusted adviser to businesses throughout the South West and beyond.
Whether supporting entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses, family enterprises or larger organisations, Stephens Scown delivers crafted legal advice for those who expect more.
Our 2027 Sponsors
