Contracting Awards 2024 open for entries

The Contracting Awards 2024 are to be held on November 13th 2024 -- and officially opened for entries on Friday.

Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise suppliers in the contracting industry who provide “excellent customer service”.

'Inspiring'

Anthony Sherick, head judge of the Contracting Awards 2024 says the “inspiring” awards also spotlight the industry’s supporters and innovators.

And this year’s awards -- open for entries until June 7th 2024 -- are set to be bigger than ever, thanks to the addition of four new categories.

The four are; Best Contractor Screening Product, Best Career Product, Best Pension Provider, and Best Contractor Client/Consultancy (sponsored by IT contractor jobs giant Free-Work).

That means there’s an unprecedented 23 award categories this year, as all the original categories since the inaugural Contracting Awards 2019 are back and open for entry.

'Contracting Awards 2024 to spotlight individuals, too'

Those original categories now accepting nominations include Best Contractor Accountant (small/medium/large); Best Umbrella Company (small/medium/large), and Best Contractor Recruitment Agency.

A few awards at the Contracting Awards 2024 will be bestowed on “individuals”, spotlighting a top contractor accountant, as well as an outstanding contractor recruiter.

Top tips on how to write an awards entry are now live for both individuals and firms, with the latter set to jostle for accolades extending to Best Banking Provider, Best Contractor Innovation, and Best Payroll Software (sponsored by ContractorUK).

The Contracting Awards 2024 will also anoint the UK’s Best Contractor Mortgage Provider, Best International Contractor Provider and usually very hotly-contested, Best Legal/Compliance/Tax Adviser (sponsored by the FCSA).  

'Unique opportunity for networking in the contracting industry'

Previous winners say victory at the Contracting Awards was a great boost to their company or service offering.

But past winners also say it’s not only the prestige, kudos, and exposure from winning which they gained.

Heading the eight-strong judging panel for 2024, Anthony Sherick explained: “The event is a unique opportunity to network and meet peers in the contracting industry.

“Aside from the awards, the event feedback from 2023 was that it was great entertainment with host Ed Byrne.

“[But] the teambuilding and industry networking is what stood out [the most].”

'Awards are open to any business that supports contractors'

This year, the awards are in association with its two official partners -- the UK’s IT contracting portal ContractorUK, and SFP Group, a provider of MVL services.

SFP is also the 2024 sponsor of Best Accountant in the medium-sized category, meaning firms with between 1,000 and 2,500 clients.

Like prior years, the awards are “open to any business in the UK who support contractors in the UK.”

So entrants will be (but aren’t limited to) recruitment agencies; umbrella companies, accountancy firms, software suppliers, financial service providers and consultancies.

'Finalist'

Submitting an entry to the Contracting Awards 2024 is free of charge.

The deadline for entries is June 7th 2024 and category shortlists will be announced on August 1st 2024, with shortlisted companies able to display a ‘Finalist’ logo on their website.

Each entry will be judged by a panel made up of the following industry specialists -- all of whom are widely respected both within and beyond the contractor sector:

1. Andy Hallett
2. Anthony Sherick
3. Graham Palfery-Smith
4. James Osborne
5. Julia Kermode
6. Rebecca Seeley Harris
7. Seb Maley
8. Shelley Ankers-Wainwright

“The fundamental aspect of any industry recognition is that this is judged by experienced industry experts -- independently,” Mr Sherick said. “Good luck to all the entrants.”

The ceremony for the Contracting Awards 2024 will take place on November 13th 2024 at the exclusive London Hilton, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE.

For further information and to enter, visit www.contractingawards.co.uk.