We recently announced that we had been longlisted for the Be Inspired Business Awards (better known as the BIBAs). We are ecstatic to tell you that we have been shortlisted as finalists in three different categories.
The awards we have been shortlisted for are the Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year and Employee of the Year.
Employer of the Year Finalists Congratulations go to @BespokeHealthcr @cuffeandtaylor @ethompsonandson @hippomotorgroup
— The BIBAs (@BIBAs2017) June 5, 2017
Business of the Year Finalists Congratulations go to Lailas Fine Foods, Fox Bros (Poulton) @hippomotorgroup @MellorsCatering
— The BIBAs (@BIBAs2017) June 5, 2017
Medium Business of the Year Finalists Congratulations @hippomotorgroup @WRSolicitors @StarTissueUK @scorpionauto
— The BIBAs (@BIBAs2017) June 5, 2017
So far, for each award, we have faced an interview process in an effort to prove we deserve those Oscar-like golden statues. Now that we have been announced as finalists, we must face the BIBAs Judges on Tour.
Judges on Tour is where the BIBAs judges visit each of the finalists to see how the operations of the business work and judge them accordingly. Because we are up for three awards, we expect to be visited on three separate occasions. These visits will take place on the 26th June, 11th & 12th July.
Both the interviews and these future visits by the judges are designed to test if a business is worthy of winning the BIBAs. Hippo is determined to pass these tests with flying colours. We are pleased to have been shortlisted so far.
The BIBAs Ceremony where the winners are to be announced will take place at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on the 15th September. We look forward to attending and hope that it is our name that is called on the night.
We’re delighted to be a finalist in the @BIBAs2017 for the Employer of the Year, Business of the Year and Medium Business of the Year award pic.twitter.com/wek18yIdaq
— Hippo Motor Group (@hippomotorgroup) June 5, 2017
Winners of the BIBAs are immediately entered into the Winners Academy. The Academy is “designed to boost skills, minds and bottom lines”. All the winners will be offered leadership masterclasses in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire and the accountancy firm, Moore and Smalley based in Preston.
These eight-month programmes include growth workshops providing practical information that can be planned and embedded back into the business. It also includes the winners visiting other business to observe and reflect on how they may do things differently. It is designed so that you are constantly learning how to make your business better despite already winning the prestigious BIBAs.
The Be Inspired Business Awards are Lancashire’s longest and largest business awards programme with the aim of both celebrating and testing the best of business. They want to find those businesses in the county that are the best by putting them through vigorous tests that include a paper entry, interviews and the visits by the Judges on Tour.
The BIBAs Foundation has a purpose of developing an enterprising culture in the Lancashire youth. The Foundation is managed by the Community Foundation for Lancashire and is supported by BAE Systems.
The Foundation supports young people (ages 16-24 years old) in developing their own business through grants in Lancashire. It helps individuals and the groups that support other young people. Individual grants are up to £2000, whilst community group grants are £5,000.
The aim of these grants are as follows:
Everything BIBAs do revolves around establishing the best of business in Lancashire. We are again grateful to be shortlisted for such prestigious awards and recognition for our work over the past ten years.
