This award recognises both primary / secondary schools and Colleges within the awards area, who have demonstrated the educating and involvement in increasing the awareness of environmental issues within their place of learning. The V C Cooke - Environmental in Education Award ALSO recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution toward providing students and groups with environmental activities and programs throughout the academic year.

This year continues to present a very unique situation as businesses have still to respond to the current economic situation; Innovation and creativity have been key for those businesses that have shown growth and remained profitable and we look forward to recognizing the efforts of those businesses and individuals that continue to make meaningful contributions to our economy," If your business can show outstanding business performance then please enter this category.

Judges will consider evidence of:

An apprenticeship is not just rewarding for the apprentice but also for the employer themselves. It's important that our young people are trained for the future, and one way to do that is by getting on the job training, out in the 'real world' as it were.

Many of Britain's business leaders are urging employers to follow suit and take on apprentices. With an ageing workforce there is a real need to fill the skills gap and by taking on apprentices you don't just train them for their future / your company future, you are training them for THE future!

One attribute that has always set us apart from the rest of the high street is the exceptional service that is offered to customers. Customer service is ingrained into the company culture from top to bottom.

"Good service is very important to us, it is our point of difference and we work hard to ensure the high level is maintained.

The Business Start-Up Award will be won by a successful and outward looking new business that has established its position within the marketplace through a mixture of sound business techniques, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism.

The judges will be looking for evidence of success in the following broad areas:

As the global economy becomes increasingly important this is the perfect category to show how you stand out in the International arena. This award is nominated to a local business who has successfully been able to extend their boundaries outside of the UK and to trade in the international market place.

If you export then this category is for you.

We are pleased to announce a brand new award for this year, the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award. Sponsored by Tod Sullivan, the Mayor of Lowestoft.

This award honours an individual who deserves to be recognised for their lifetime of unrelenting commitment, hardwork, talent and contributions to the success of their business they work / worked for.

The Product Innovation & Diversity Award is another newly introduced catagory for 2011.

Awarded to a company who has a proven track record of delivering a quality product and service to it's customers whilst continuing to grow.