Business awards open for entries in Hull promising much more than a gong and a grand night out

Calendar highlight has had a major overhaul after baton passed to the business community as quarter of a century of celebration looms 

The Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards are back, and in new hands. 

Launched by the Hull Daily Mail almost a quarter of a century ago, quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in the city, the annual event has now been taken on by Top 30 Under 30 founder Simon Jones. 

The Hessle-based entrepreneur is working with Jane Smallwood, previously the organiser of the high-profile celebrations for Mail publisher Reach Plc, before a restructure by the company late last year. Reach remains involved as principal media partner. 

Returning with a major refresh, 2024's event will take the best of the glitz and glamour that made the occasion a business calendar highlight, while also factoring in opportunity for winners to further their aspirations and build on success following their crowning moment. It is a move that will set it apart from other awards events, with sponsors and partners playing an active part in the future development of the successful entrants. 

Simon, who heads up recruitment agency Identify and has recently branched out with Top 30, launching in West Yorkshire following seven years of growth on the Humber, said: "I have been a huge ambassador for the awards since launching my own business, and was honoured to invited onto the judging panel in recent years. 

"The prospect of losing this great event wasn't a risk I was prepared to take, with so much potential to do even more with it. I'm delighted to take it on and join with Jane in ensuring the show goes on." 

The 2024 event will take place at Hull's DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Thursday, November 21. This year there will be a dozen awards presented, with entries now open. A deadline of September 29 has been set. Packages of support tailored to the individual category are also being sourced by the team for the winners. 

A new dedicated website - www.heybusinessawards.co.uk - has been launched to guide potential nominees sponsors and partners towards the gala dinner, with full entry criteria. 

Jane, who recently delivered the 2024 Humber Renewables Awards for Humber Marine & Renewables - another former Reach brand retained by the business community - said: "Simon's decision to step in and push this incredible event forward has been welcomed by the business community at large. 

"Now we're settled and focused on what we want to achieve with the event, I'm looking forward to seeing the stories of success emerge as nominations are made, while ensuring the best possible start to a new era. There really isn't anything quite like the atmosphere of a room bursting with pride, and celebrating our winners for a 24th year will bring that back again." 

Connexin is confirmed as headline partner, with Bondholders, C3 Group, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, For Entrepreneurs Only, Fred Marketing, GW Power-Safe, Horncastle Group, Hull City Council, MKM, University of Hull and Sewell Group also on board. 

For further information visit www.heybusinessawards.co.uk 

This year's accolades: 

Outstanding Contribution / Lifetime Achievement Award 

Start-Up Business of the Year (Less than two years old) Small Business of the Year (Less than 50 employees) 

Best Place to Work 

Environmental & Sustainability Award 

Charity of the Year 

Innovation Award 

Entrepreneur of the Year 

Team of the Year 

Large Business of the Year 

Growth Award 

Rising Star 

Full details of how to enter and the criteria for each category can be found on the new 

website - www.heybusinessawards.co.uk