The 2024 Awards are OPEN!

Organised by third generation family business, The Wilson Organisation, which specialises in insurance and financial services and supported by a range of high-profile sponsors, the Midlands Family Business Awards gives family businesses of all sizes, from all sectors, the opportunity to recognised for the huge contribution they make to the region.

Charlotte Perkins commented: “As a family business ourselves, we understand that these businesses operate in a unique way. According to the Family Business Research Foundation 2023 report, the sector is estimated to have contributed £225 billion to UK public finances in 2021. That’s a huge contribution to our public purse, as well as the local communities that they play a vital role in through employment and social value. We want to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments through our awards.”

Across 10 categories, family businesses across the Midlands can submit entries for free, which are judged by an independent panel throughout June. All the shortlisted businesses are then eligible for the People’s Choice’ award which is determined by a public vote in September.

Categories are sector and topic based including Sustainability, Property & Construction Excellence, Digital Tech Innovation and Service Excellence, while others focus on Marketing and Sustainability successes. People are at the core of the categories with Young Director and Employer of the Year being coveted awards. The big ones are always the Fastest Growing Family Business, Best Small Family Business and the Family Business of the Year, as these recognise the whole team and celebrate sustainable economic success.

The sponsor line-up is led by main sponsor specialist providers of HR, payroll and finance software, MHR, winners of the Family Business of the Year in 2023. It also includes creative agency Stencil; Buckles Solicitors; professional services firm PwC; property maintenance business, The Handy Family Company; legal advisers Shakespeare Martineau; home care and mobility services provider, Premier Community and Streets Chartered Accountants.

Jessica Mills, Chairman at MHR comments: “To be recognised as Midlands Family Business of the Year 2023 was an incredibly proud moment for myself, my father and everyone who works at MHR. It is a testament to our incredible employees and their unrivalled dedication to support our customers and each other. We're incredibly proud to be a family business, and as we enter our 40th anniversary we look forward to working with The Wilson Organisation to launch this year's awards.”

This year’s sponsor of the Small Family Business of the Year, Donald Ward of metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, added: “We're passionate about championing family business, so we're really proud to lend our support again this year. As previous winners we appreciate the opportunities that the awards offer to become part of this unique network of family run businesses."

The awards launch event was held on Wednesday 21^st February at Nottingham’s brand-new Central Library, thanks to everyone that joined us. Entries are not officially open!

Finalists will be announced in April and overall winners revealed in an Award Ceremony on Thursday 3rd October 2024.

As in previous years, all proceeds from the Awards will go to charities in our region supporting our communities and young enterprise.

Entries can be made via the secure Awards entry site: https://familybusiness.awardsplatform.com/