How awards can make you a winner in more ways than one

As we near the end of what is widely regarded as ‘awards season’ there are many Marketing Derby Bondholders out there who are going into Christmas with a new piece of silverware in their trophy cabinets. As well as celebrating collective and individual success, the benefits of such recognition can extend far beyond the office door or factory gates – as we understand only too well at Marketing Derby, as proud holders of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise ourselves.

Here, three companies who have tasted success in 2024 reflect on their triumphs – and what it means to them.

KATY UPTON – chief executive at Fortitude Nicsa Global

It was a tremendous honour for me to be recognised as one of the UK’s “Top 50 Entrepreneurs Ones to Watch” by LDC – and to be nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year at this year’s Women in Business Awards, organised by East Midlands Chamber.

Leading Fortitude Nicsa Global has been an intense journey, marked by ambition, resilience and constant growth.

Receiving these acknowledgements isn’t just personally fulfilling; it represents a powerful milestone for our business.

It’s a moment that validates the collective hard work and vision of everyone at Fortitude Nicsa Global, reinforcing that our contributions to our industry are making a real difference.

For us, entering these awards has always been about more than just the recognition—it’s about reflecting on our accomplishments, inspiring our team, and elevating our brand in the industry.

Receiving nominations and awards has a tangible impact on our staff morale.

We’ve been nominated for diversity in the workplace awards, best female leaders, marketing awards and so many more!

We’ve also entered FNG into the Great Place to Work awards and have been awarded that accreditation for the second year running.

Since the announcements, I’ve seen a noticeable shift in the energy and pride across the organisation.

Our teams feel validated, knowing that the effort they put into their work is not only appreciated but is also seen as exceptional.

Being celebrated in this way fosters a stronger sense of unity, and employees feel a renewed commitment to the company’s goals, culture and mission.

From a business perspective, these accolades are invaluable.

Being recognised by prestigious organisations like LDC strengthens our reputation, setting us apart from competitors and giving us an edge in an ever-competitive market.

Clients and partners view us differently, knowing they’re working with a company that’s driven, reputable, and committed to success.

The trust and credibility gained from awards don’t just boost client confidence—they often lead to new partnerships, an increase in customer enquiries, and broader opportunities for expansion.

These nominations have already had a positive impact on our reputation and trade relationships, and we’re excited to see where they may lead.

For any business questioning the value of awards, I would strongly urge them to reconsider.

Yes, submitting for awards requires time and focus, but the return on that investment is significant.

Awards bring far-reaching benefits, from strengthening company morale to solidifying client trust and enhancing industry reputation.

They’re a reminder of why we do what we do and a motivator to achieve even more.

For us, the awards journey has been transformative, reaffirming our commitment to growth and excellence in ways that will continue to shape Fortitude Nicsa Global’s future.

ANDREW ALLSOP – managing director at Morley Hayes

At Morley Hayes, we’ve always made it our mission to provide exceptional experiences for our guests, and receiving recognition through local, regional or national business and industry awards is testament to our team’s commitment to excellence.

Over the past 18 months, we have received several prestigious accolades, which reinforce our reputation as leaders in the hospitality and leisure sector.

These awards aren’t just trophies on a shelf though, they’re a celebration of our team’s dedication, passion, and innovation.

As well as winning two prestigious awards at the 2024 Marketing Derby Food & Drink Awards, our Dovecote restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes for 12 consecutive years.

Our four-star hotel was named the Best Hotel in Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire at the 2024 Muddy Stiletto Awards.

Most recently, we were runners-up for the Sustainable Award at the national AA Hospitality Awards 2024 and have been shortlisted for the Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award at the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards, with the winners to be announced in March 2025.

Entering our business forward into awards gives us the opportunity to showcase our achievements, gain valuable feedback from industry peers, and inspire our team.

Producing an award submission may be time consuming, but it forces you to reflect on your journey, highlight your strengths, and identify areas for growth.

It can really be a powerful exercise that provides clarity on your vision and direction.

Winning awards means so much more than external validation. For our team, it’s a source of immense pride and motivation.

It’s an acknowledgment of the effort they put in daily, from serving the perfect meal in our restaurant to maintaining our pristine golf courses.

The morale boosts these wins give our team is unparalleled – it reaffirms that their hard work and dedication are recognised not just by our customers, but by the wider industry too.

From a business perspective, awards have had a tangible impact on trade.

Customers are increasingly discerning, and the credibility that comes with award recognition helps us stand out in a competitive market.

To businesses that feel they don’t have time for awards, I’d urge you to rethink.

The process is undeniably an investment of time and effort, but the returns far outweigh the costs.

It’s a chance to celebrate your team, differentiate yourself in the market, and create a narrative around your business that resonates with customers and stakeholders.

Awards are not just about the recognition—they’re about affirming your purpose and inspiring everyone involved to strive for even greater success.

At Morley Hayes, they’ve become an integral part of our story, and we’re excited to see where this recognition continues to take us.

SIMON RICE – founder and managing director of HSG UK

Nowadays, there are a wealth of eligible industry awards that allow businesses to demonstrate that they are operating at the top of their game.

However, the King’s Award for Enterprise, which HSG won back in May for Innovation, is considered the absolute highest honour a business in the UK can achieve.

So, now that HSG has won this award twice, previously winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation back in 2018, this is a huge merit to our continued innovation in the washroom services sector.

But what makes the King’s Award so coveted? Winning the King’s Award means senior leaders put HSG under the microscope to ensure best practices, business longevity, and prowess in our field.

Owing to the award’s prestigious nature, only 59 businesses won Innovation in 2024.

Finally, no King’s Award is given without final approval from HM The King and the Prime Minister. We can fly the King’s Award emblem flag as a hallmark of our operations until 2029.

Facilitating this win is team HSG’s continued drive for innovation through sustainability and the expansion of our product range.

We call ourselves the ‘Sustainable Washroom Experts’, and for good reason.

Let’s break this phrase down.

Sustainable: Washrooms are a necessary but resource-heavy part of any business, contributing to around 90% of an office’s water consumption.

This, combined with chemicals used for cleaning, which enter waterways, as well as single-use plastics and papers, means a washroom is a drain on the environment.

Urinals typically account for 30 to 40% of an office’s water consumption and our Ureco urinal sleeve and Uretech water manager is proven to reduce this water consumption by up to 96%.

We calculated that Ureco saved over a billion litres of water last year. That’s the same as 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, which if placed end to end, would be 15.5 miles of continuous swimming pool!

We are partnered with Planet Mark, who measure our year-on-year greenhouse gas emissions and set us science-based targets. This led to the development of our Carbon Reduction Plan, which demonstrates our intent to be net zero by 2044.

Washroom: This sustainable know-how filters down into our washroom services. This way of doing things not only helps the environment but reduces costs, too.

Based on Ureco saving over a billion litres of water last year and with the average UK water cost, our clients collectively saved an estimated £2.5 million last year in water bills.

Beyond water savings, our specially selected products are selected on energy efficiency, environmental impact, sustainable procurement and end-of-life.

We utilise coreless toilet rolls, non-aerosol fragrances, and probiotic cleaners. Furthermore, our Urinal Bowl Cleaner reuses plastic bottles with a dissolvable sachet, meaning we prevented a massive 37,440 plastic bottles from going to landfill last year.

Experts: We share this washroom expertise in our Free Guide to Better Washrooms, but why should you listen to us?

We are an SME with a wealth of high-profile clients, including Toyota Manufacturing UK, AELTC Wimbledon, Sainsbury’s, NHS, and Motorpoint, with an expansive portfolio of universities and colleges.

We invest heavily in our team, with all our Ureco technicians being qualified plumbers, which is unprecedented in our sector.

We believe investing in our team creates a sense of pride in our work, demonstrated by our Great Place to Work score being 93%.

Furthermore, in 2024 alone, we won the King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation, the Family Business Awards – Sustainability, and the East Midlands Chamber Awards – Green Innovation.

HSG were also finalists in the Business Masters Awards – Sustainable Development and we are currently finalists in the Edie Net Zero Strategy of the Year Award for our aforementioned Carbon Reduction Plan.

In conclusion, achieving the Queen’s Award and then the King’s Award has been an important step change for HSG and I would encourage any other business, whatever the size, industry or target market, to apply for this prestigious award.