Organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in association with the South East London Chamber of Commerce, the ten awards categories celebrate businesses' diversity, passion and contribution to the borough.

About the Awards

Royal Greenwich is proud to be home to over 10,000 businesses and boasts higher business growth and survival rates than the London average. These awards will showcase the variety of thriving businesses that we have to offer and highlight the vital role businesses play in providing sustainable growth in Greenwich.

Supporting both existing and new businesses is vital to the health and future of our borough. The awards will provide excellent networking opportunities for traders and boost business in the lead up - and beyond.

Categories

The categories are:

• Business start up
• Innovation
• Young entrepreneur of the year
• Sustainability
• Tourism and culture
• Independent retailer
• Digital leadership
• Food and hospitality
• Social enterprise
• Greenwich employer of the year.

Make a nomination

It's free to make a nomination - giving businesses of all sizes the chance to gain publicity and highlight their successes. The winners of two awards (Independent Retailer and Food and Hospitality) will be decided by residents, with the shortlisted businesses going through to a public vote.

Nominations open today (Monday 2 October) and close at 5pm on Friday 24 November, with the glittering awards ceremony taking place on Friday 19 January 2018 at the InterContinental London - The O2.

Tickets

Discounted tickets are available for £35 per person thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, who have funded the whole awards ceremony. £5 from the sale of each ticket will be divided equally between the Mayor's charities which are The Garrison Church of St George and Wide Horizons. This donation also buys you a raffle ticket which will be drawn by the Mayor at the awards ceremony.

Ticket holders will enjoy a champagne reception, sponsored by J.B. Riney, followed by lunch and the ceremony which will include entertainment by The Millennium Performing Arts College.

Sponsors

All of the awards have been sponsored by and will be presented by businesses who operate in and around the borough. The Council is particularly grateful to the headline sponsor, housing-led regeneration company Lovell.

The awards have inspired U&I to launch a young enterprise programme in schools to encourage the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.

'I'd encourage all businesses to get involved'

Nick Hewer, who spent a decade on The Apprentice and now hosts Countdown, said: "I am delighted to be hosting the very first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards.

"As many of the tasks on The Apprentice show, successful promotion is a key way to boost profits so I'd encourage all businesses to get involved."

'Fantastic celebration of the diverse range of businesses'

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Denise Hyland said: "The Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards are a fantastic celebration of the diverse range of businesses that we are home to. Supporting both existing businesses and new businesses is vital to the health and future of our borough and this event will provide excellent networking opportunities for all types of traders.

"I would encourage all business owners to nominate themselves to be in with the chance of being chosen as a finalist or even a winner at our first Best of Royal Greenwich Business Awards."