Our most recent winners’ & Judges’ feedback

All winners can request feedback from the judges about why they won for use in press releases, marketing material, brochures, advertisements, on their website etc. This service is included in the entry fee so there is no additional cost. Here are a selection of comments for past winners:

Previous winners

Sagra Group

Best Communication

Commenting on Sagra Group, the winner in the Best Communication category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to The Sagra Group for running a brilliant communications campaign for its revamped confectionary brands that has stolen a march on competitors. After discovering that consumers thought the packaging on its chocolate wafer bar and hazelnut spread were old-fashioned, it redesigned its brands to appeal to Gen Z. Its communications campaign to raise awareness of the new formula, logo and packaging using social media, its website, TV and print, worked wonders with sales leaping by 33% after six months and its chocolate spread brand growing by 26% against a shrinking confectionary market.”

Croft

Best Customer Focus

Commenting on Croft, the winner in the Best Customer Focus Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Croft, a manufacturer of luxury architectural hardware, for growing its business on the back of outstanding customer service. Dating back to 1868, its ethos is based on quality, creating long-term relationships and great service. Products are developed through decades of refinement, research and development, and customer feedback. Its return rate of only 0.6% is a testament to the quality of its craftsmanship. Such is the quality of products and service that customers come back to Croft time and time again.”

Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim A.S.

Climate Action Award

Commenting on Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim A.S.(OEDAS), the winner in the Climate Action Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Commenting on Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim A.S.(OEDAS), the winner in the Climate Action Award category, the chairman of the judges said: “Congratulations to OEDAS for being the first to introduce a new more efficient radio frequency system for identifying breaks in its electricity distribution system that has dramatically cut its carbon footprint. Its partial discharge detection project, measures radio frequency emissions on electricity lines to detect failures, doing away with the need for engineers to painstakingly check 261,240 electricity poles and cutting vehicle usage by 70%. Well done to OEDAS for taking a giant leap forward in efficiency, reducing outages, cutting costs and meeting its Net Zero goals.”

Turkiye Is Bankasi

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme

Commenting on Turkiye Is Bankasi, the winner in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Commenting on Turkiye Is Bankasi, the winner in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme Award category, the chairman of the judges said: “As part of its bank of the future vision, Turkiye Is Bankasi is doing a brilliant job at encouraging more women to get into work and closing the gender pay gap. In 2022, the employment rate was 30.4% for women compared to 65.0% for men and to change this, it launched an educational campaign for women that offers mentoring, financial support and in-person and online training. Congratulations to Is Bankasi for educating thousands of women and helping a large number launch or expand their own business.”

Sagra Group

Best Brand Development

Commenting on Sagra Group, the winner in the Best Brand Development category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Following research, Sagra Group discovered that although its confectionery products were liked, the functional packaging was lost on Gen Z. After reframing the brand for its chocolate bars and chocolate hazelnut spread with a new logo, packaging using red and a catchy slogan for its chocolate spread ‘First Sarelle,Then Smile’, the delicious snacks are making a comeback in the market. Backed up by a multimedia marketing campaign, sales soared by 33% in the first six month of the campaign with Sarelle becoming a market leader.”

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ

Best Innovation

Commenting on Abu Dhabi Police, General Headquarters, the winner in the Best Innovation category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Abu Dhabi Police for harnessing artificial intelligence to automate HR systems and make life better for staff. Its new innovative HR TECH smart self-service system automates and consolidates six HR systems, including recruitment, staff feedback and project management, into the one package. HR TECH enables Abu Dhabi Police to reach its strategic goals around managing staff and enhancing the quality of life for employees. Employee satisfaction rates leapt to 93.5% against 52% in 2018, highlighting the massive difference HR TECH has made to the police organisation.”

Previous winners

Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim A.S.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme

Commenting on Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim (OEDAS), the winner in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to electricity distribution company OEDAS for standing up against gender discrimination with its Our Energy is Equal campaign. It has done way with the idea that energy is men’s work and provided gender equality training to staff and external organisations. It also provided mentoring and career programmes for women through collaborations with education bodies. As a result of all its activities, OEDAS has increased the number of white-collar female employees and given confidence to thousands of women across Turkey.”

Sagra Group

Best Marketing & Communications Initiative

Commenting on Sagra Group, the winner in the Best Marketing & Communications Initiative category, the chairman of the judges said:

“After keeping a low profile for many years, Sagra Group has revitalised sales of its recently rebranded chocolate bars and chocolate hazelnut spread with a comprehensive multi-media campaign. The campaign using social media, print, and outdoor and TV advertising, reached millions of people across Turkey, increased brand awareness to 100% and produced a leap in sales of 33% in the first six months of the campaign. Despite a contraction in the confectionery market, the campaign has helped Sagra Group to buck the trend and increase market share.”

Esarj

Green Excellence Award

Commenting on Esarj, the winner in the Green Excellence Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Esarj, Turkey’s first electric vehicle charging network, for helping local economies across Turkey cut their environmental footprint. It is the fastest growing network in Turkey operating in 81 provinces with 100,000 members and 1,200 charging stations. As well as providing a facility that supports electric cars, Esarj uses 100% renewable green energy for vehicle charging across its network. Esarj is making a huge difference to reducing emissions by cutting the use of fossil fuels across its supply chain and supporting others to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ

Best Place To Work

Commenting on Abu Dhabi Police, General Headquarters, the winner in the Best Place to Work category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Abu Dhabi Police has introduced an inspirational broad range of wellbeing, communication, and learning and development initiatives that has improved the quality of life at work and boosted staff morale. The aim of the new programme is to support employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance, improve staff retention rates, happiness at work and job satisfaction. Congratulations to Abu Dhabi Police for increasing positively and engagement in the workplace to such an extent that job satisfaction and loyalty soared to an unprecedented rate of 93.3% in 2023.”

Sagra Group

Best Product / Service Range

Commenting on Sagra Group, the winner in the Best Product/Service Range category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to the Sagra Group for moving with market trends and launching a dark chocolate vegan hazelnut spread to cater for the expanding vegan market. Containing no animal products, the spread is made of 100% natural raw materials that does not contain trans fats, colourings and preservatives. The jar and lid are totally recyclable, which appeals to the vegan market. The spread has taken the market by storm and in only three months after its launch in June 2023, sales grew by 35%, helping it win a 5% share of its niche market.”

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

Best Place To Work

Commenting on Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the winner in the Best Place to Work category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for transforming the culture of its organisation into an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered. The range of new initiatives introduced is awesome and includes a new health and wellbeing programme, flexible working and social and sports events that gives employees a sense of community. Great strides have also been made in diversity and inclusion. The results of the cultural transformation are astounding and have produced a huge boost in employee engagement and productivity. ”

Testimonials

“Running and scaling a fast-growth business is a non-stop challenge that tests founders and management teams to the limits! Receiving recognition from the Best Business Awards counts for a huge amount personally and is great to share with the wider business community.”

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Matt Grech-Smith - Competitive Socialising trading as Swingers – The Crazy Golf Club

winning this last award has got me an invitation to join the Institute of Master Trainers Association. I’m really pleased

Neil Wightman

Founder - Y2 Learn Driver Training

Winning a Best Business Award has provided us with a platform to raise our profile via the media. Since winning we have secured press coverage in key national and regional publications regarding the great work we are doing and we have attracted students to the college that may not have otherwise heard about us.

I would recommend the Best Business Awards to any dynamic organisation that wants to prove to stakeholders that it is delivering.

Dave Cooper

Director of Marketing, Solihull College

Previous winners

Coca-Cola Turkiye

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme

Commenting on Coca-Cola Turkey, the winner in the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Coca-Cola Turkey for running several impactful initiatives designed to empower women and get them into rewarding employment. The company’s My Sister Project and My Sister My Shero initiatives have reached thousands of young women and given them the skills and knowledge they need to strengthen their socio-economic position. While 65.3% of men are employed in Turkey, only 30.4% for women are in work. Coca-Cola’s campaigning for women is having a huge impact on the imbalance and helping them to realise their dreams.”

Evri

Best Sustainable Process/Product

Commenting on Evri, the winner in the Best Sustainable Product/Process category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to parcel delivery company Evri for placing its impact on the environment high on its agenda and achieving great reductions in emissions. Through its sustainability policy led by its environment, social and governance steering committee, it has produced impressive reductions in emissions by switching its fleet to renewable energy. At the end of 2023, Evri had reduced operational carbon emissions by 31% and made a dramatic effort to reduce water consumption, putting it on track to reach net zero in direct and indirect emissions by 2035!”

PromoVeritas Ltd

Best Staff Training & Development Programme

Commenting on PromoVeritas Ltd, the winner in the Best Staff Training & Development category, the chairman of the judges said:

“The secret behind PromoVeritas’ Ltd success is its comprehensive staff training programme that starts the day a recruit joins. As no courses exist for its business of verifying prize competitions, it has developed its own training in-house and even has its own college PromoAcademy. On joining, staff go through an induction programme, are appointed a buddy and can only perform tasks once they have completed the relevant training at the academy. Congratulations to PromoVeritas Ltd for giving staff the gift of learning and the skills they need to progress their career.”

Reeder

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme

Commenting on Reeder, the winner in the Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative category, the chairman of the judges said:

“With 60% of its workforce female, Reeder Technology, a Turkey-based smartphone manufacturer, has introduced an educational programme called Girls Do Code that is helping women develop the skills they need for a career in IT. The initiative aims to equip female students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to help them progress their career and improve their quality of life. Congratulations to Reeder for empowering women with education and helping thousands to skill up and improve their prospects.”

Vakif Katilim Bankasi AS

Best Place To Work

Commenting on Vakif Katilim Bankasi AS, the winner in the Best Place to Work category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Vakif Katilim Bankasi for boosting employee satisfaction to unprecedented levels with its in-house communications campaign. The company found that staff satisfaction is not just about pay - employees feel more motivated if they have a sense of belonging. To create a more positive workplace culture, the finance company introduced an almost endless range of benefits including social clubs, staff events and health advice to make people feel part of the company. The campaign has worked wonders because feedback shows that staff are more loyal and motivated than ever before!”

Communere Ltd

Best Customer Focus

Commenting on Communere Ltd, the winner in the Best Customer Focus category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Launched in 2018, IT consultancy Communere has become a thriving business by focusing on customer needs and providing high-quality outsourced software developers at affordable rates and making use of cutting-edge technologies. It employs agile management methodologies and robust reporting, enabling it to create seamless flexible customised solutions built around the client’s requirements and expectations. Judging by the glowing feedback and comments, and the excellent customer retention rate with some being with the company from scratch, Communere has a winning approach to customer service.”

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