The Rising Star of the Year award at the EDP Business Awards will recognise new business ventures that are impacting the local economy and communities. Judge Kitty Rosser, legal director at Birketts and data protection specialist, tells us what she wants to see from entrants.
Why were you keen to get involved in the Business Awards?
Judging the Rising Star category was a real draw for me. Data protection compliance is just as much an issue for start-ups as it is for large, well-established businesses – and having been lucky enough to work with lots of new businesses in the region, I jumped at the chance to get involved.
What do you bring to the judging process?
Running a specialist data protection team requires an eye for detail, the ability to express myself clearly, and to keep myself and others calm under pressure. I hope I can use those skills to make the process a rewarding experience for everyone who takes the time to enter.
What have your previous experiences of judging been like?
This is a first for me. I’m excited to get stuck in.
What inspires you in business?
I enjoy seeing persistence and determination rewarded. For me, the individuals and teams that stand out as the most inspiring to work with are those that can retain the belief in the basic concept of business growth but have the commercial acumen to recognise when to adjust the strategy to accommodate or overcome the inevitable hurdles.
Do you have any anecdotes of moments that changed your business strategy?
I spent years building my experience and reputation as a data protection lawyer with a view to growing a specialist team, but it was GDPR coming into effect and the huge increase in demand it triggered that provided me with the springboard I needed to succeed.
What will you be looking for in the winner?
I’m looking for an individual or team with a strong belief in their core concept and values, as well as a business model designed for resilience.
What advice would you give to a business that’s considering entering?
Stop considering and start doing! This is a great opportunity to really reflect on the strengths of your business and your direction of travel, not to mention an excellent platform to make some great new contacts and get your name out there.
The deadline for entries to the EDP Business Awards 2023 is July 16. To enter the Rising Star of the Year category, please visit edpbusinessawards.co.uk
To find out more about all the categories, please click here.
Award criteria
This award recognises entrepreneurs with new ventures that are having an impact on the local and regional economy, society and communities.
The winner will be a business that has shown clear financial activity which translates into inward investment, increased turnover and profitability. They will also use innovation to
compete in their market and will have a clear business model that is scalable in the long term.
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