Listening to and acting on feedback from customers is a distinct and under-rated skill, and this award seeks to shine a light on organisations which have used market intelligence and customer interaction to change the way they operate. Entrants should outline what they learned from their customer base and how they listened to it, what insight they drew from the market and the sort of change they introduced as a result.

This award recognises the power of changing organisational culture, and how it can lead to important and long-lasting effects on the bottom line. Entrants should outline why organisational culture needed to be altered and provide a detailed breakdown of the steps that were taken, including key stakeholders involved, consultations and engagements that were undertaken with the workforce, and the key characteristics of the new organisational culture that resulted from the change.

This award recognises an organisation that has deployed technology to help bring about fundamental change, with demonstrable impact on key indicators. That could mean utilising new software to revolutionise customer experience or employee engagement, developing an entirely new offering through technological innovation or embedding digitisation across your entire operating model.

While AI is still in its infancy in terms of realisation of potential, it is already having a profound effect on businesses. This category celebrates innovative and effective uses of AI, whether it is improving the efficiency of internal processes or launching a new product with AI at its heart.

No business can afford to ignore the importance of sustainability to operating models – but there is a difference between simply doing your bit and making the climate crisis central to everything you do.

Entries are welcomed in this category from all areas of the public sector, including central government departments, local government organisations, NHS trusts, educational institutions or associated organisations, as well as registered charities or other not-for-profit organisations.

Entries are welcomed in this category from organisations with 250 or fewer employees globally.

Entrants should outline the rationale for their transformation, how it was undertaken – which could include the technological, cultural, functional or brand changes that were necessary – and clear evidence of how it has contributed to their central mission and key performance indicators over time.

There is a profound difference between deals that add to the bottom line and those that lead to duplication and inefficiency. This award is designed to celebrate M&A that has brought about positive, lasting measurable change. Entrants should outline the rationale for their deal (be it an acquisition, merger, takeover or disposal) and the steps that were taken to ensure it brought about lasting value.

This category recognises the crucial importance of quality advice and support to effective organisational transformation. Entrants should be consultancies working across any business discipline – including but not limited to operational and functional support, marketing, brand, people, technology, operations, data or change management – or sole trader advisors, but all entries must have the written support of any client companies which are mentioned in detail.

Entries are welcomed in this category from organisations which are headquartered outside the UK and do not have significant UK operations.

Entrants should outline the rationale for their transformation, how it was undertaken – which could include the technological, cultural, functional or brand changes that were necessary – and clear evidence of how it has contributed to their central mission and key performance indicators over time.