The Growth Business of the Year category at the EDP Business Awards 2023 celebrates local firms that are achieving impressive growth year on year. Here category judge David Sloman, senior associate at Ashtons Legal, tells us what he will bring to the judging process.
Can you tell us a bit about your business journey?
Having started out advising local businesses of all sizes and types, I’ve more recently carved out a specialism advising founders and emerging companies, effectively acting as an in-house lawyer, to provide practical and valued advice over a long period while they scale up and grow through to exits.
Why were you keen to get involved in the Business Awards?
The EDP Business Awards are a great way of bringing together and showcasing the diverse range of businesses which make Norfolk the fantastic and thriving county that it is.
We live and work here, so it is a pleasure to offer our support to fellow businesses in the area.
What do you bring to the judging process?
Me and the team at Ashtons have many years’ experience working with businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to well established companies, and from all parts of the UK and overseas. We are perfectly placed to recognise innovative, growing businesses.
What inspires you in business?
I’m inspired by the diversity and opportunities we have in this county. We have not only world-leading food and drink businesses and fantastic tourism but also great innovation hubs at Akcela and Hethel.
Do you have any anecdotes of moments that changed your business strategy?
I have witnessed the steady growth of Ashtons Legal over the years as we have embraced change to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Where many have failed, we have done well, and I think that is down to our organisational culture, thinking strategically and making the right choices.
What will you be looking for in the winner?
The business will need to have something special that differentiates it from its competitors. It will also need to demonstrate growth across all its operations.
What advice would you give to a business that’s considering entering?
Don’t hesitate to do so – the experience is invaluable and can lead to some fantastic opportunities and connections even if you don’t win the award on the night.
Entries for the EDP Business Awards 2023 close on July 16. To enter the Growth Business of the Year category, please visit www.edpbusinessawards.co.uk
To find out more about all the categories, please click here.
Award criteria
Any company entering the Growth Business of the Year category must have achieved a minimum of 20pc year-on-year financial growth (turnover) for the last three years.
The judging panel will also be looking for growth in market share as well as a business that can demonstrate evidence of growth in customer and/or employee numbers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here