Executive Summary

The purpose of the Executive Summary is to give judges a general overview and better understanding of your business. Although not an exhaustive list, some examples of the type of information judges will be looking for are listed below. This question is not scored and is for background information only.

• Types of services on offer / purpose of your business
• Number of employees (for context only, all sizes of businesses can enter)
• How long you have been operating
• Do you pay the Real Living Wage or equivalent?*
• Other awards you have won relevant to this category.
• Any other information you feel is relevant

*We encourage applicants to pay the Real Living Wage (or equivalent) to all staff, including seasonal and contracted workers. If this isn’t currently possible, applicants should briefly explain their approach to pay and benefits.

1.  What do you do to create a positive workplace where staff can share ideas, feel valued and develop their skills and career?

Provide evidence of actions taken between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026, focussing on the area’s most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you did, how it worked, and the results. You may also draw on other relevant areas if appropriate.

You may wish to include:

• What you do to make sure work is fair and secure for everyone. Give examples such as fair contracts, equal opportunities, predictable hours, or paying the Real Living Wage. If you’ve introduced new policies, explain what they are.
• Include any awards, accreditations, or recognitions you’ve achieved as an employer (e.g., Fair Work accreditation, Investors in People, or industry-specific awards).
• Share any wellbeing activities or support you offer (e.g., mental health sessions, fitness classes). Include how many staff take part and any feedback you’ve received.
• List the learning or training opportunities you provide for your team (e.g., skills workshops, CPD courses) and how many employees completed them in the past year. Mention any examples of staff progressing because of this training.
• Explain how you collect feedback (e.g., surveys, team meetings) and share the main results from last year. If you made changes based on feedback, give an example.
• How many employees have stayed with you over the last 12 months? Provide your retention rate and any steps you take to keep staff (e.g., flexible working, recognition schemes).

2.  How do you help employees grow their careers in tourism, hospitality and events, and how do you showcase these opportunities to support your business?

Please provide evidence of actions taken between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026. Focus on the area’s most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you did, how it worked, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• How you raise awareness of careers in tourism, hospitality, and events beyond your organisation. Include examples like school or college talks, job fairs, or online campaigns. Share what you did, how many people you reached, and any results.
• Explain how you help people grow their careers with you (e.g., apprenticeships, mentoring, internal promotions). Include how many people took part and any success stories.
• How you build links with your local community to encourage careers in the industry. Give examples such as volunteering, hosting community events, or partnerships with local groups. Include any feedback or outcomes from these activities.
• Explain what you do to provide stability for staff (e.g., guaranteed hours, fair contracts, flexible working). Share any initiatives that support financial security.
• Share examples of how you make employees feel included and proud (e.g., team-building, recognition, diversity initiatives). If you also work with local communities, explain what you do, how you stand out, and how you position yourself as an ‘employer of choice.

3.  How do you involve and encourage your employees to take part in your sustainability initiatives, and what impact has this had on your business and community?

Please provide evidence of actions taken between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026. Focus on the area’s most relevant to your business. You don’t need to cover every example listed, but include practical details such as what you did, how it worked, and the results. You can also add other relevant information if helpful.

You may wish to include:

• How you encourage employees to adopt environmental practices in their day-to-day work. Include examples such as reducing waste, promoting energy efficiency, or using local suppliers. Share what you did and any measurable outcomes.
• Activities or initiatives that give staff opportunities to engage with the community . Examples might include volunteering days, tree planting, or community clean-up projects. Include participation numbers and feedback from employees.
• How you promote active travel or low-carbon commuting options. For instance, cycle-to-work schemes, public transport incentives, or car-sharing initiatives. Share uptake rates and any impact on emissions or staff wellbeing.
• Ways you give employees autonomy or a voice in shaping sustainability efforts. Include examples of idea-generation sessions, green committees, or staff-led projects. Explain how these ideas were implemented and the results.
• Examples of employee-driven sustainability initiatives that received employer support or funding. Describe what the initiative was, how you supported it, and the impact it had on your business or community.
• Any measurable impact your sustainability activities have had on your business and/or local community. For example, reduced energy costs, improved staff engagement, or positive feedback from community partners.