Wigan Borough Business Awards – Judges’ Code of Conduct
At Wigan Borough Business Awards, we believe that fairness, transparency, and integrity are at the heart of recognising excellence. Our panel of judges is made up of respected professionals who share a commitment to celebrating the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the borough.
To ensure every entrant is treated with the same level of respect and impartiality, all judges agree to follow our Judges’ Code of Conduct:
- Fairness & Integrity
- Every entry is assessed solely on the information provided in the application.
- Judges approach each decision with an open mind, free from bias or favouritism.
- Any potential conflict of interest is declared immediately, and the judge will remove themselves from scoring or discussions for that category.
- Confidentiality
- All information shared in entries, supporting documents, and judging discussions is kept strictly confidential.
- Results are not shared outside the judging process until officially announced.
- Professionalism
- Judges treat all entrants and fellow judges with courtesy and respect.
- Scoring and feedback are provided thoughtfully and constructively.
- Judges represent Wigan Borough Business Awards positively at all times.
Our Promise
This code of conduct ensures that the awards remain a true celebration of the innovation, dedication, and hard work that make our local business community thrive. Entrants can feel confident that their achievements are being recognised by a process that is fair, transparent, and respectful.
Eligibility & Entry Criteria
The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and industries based in Wigan and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a start-up, a well-established company, or an entrepreneur making waves, we welcome your participation and encourage you to showcase your achievements.
To be eligible for entry into the Wigan Borough Business Awards 2025, businesses must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be located within Wigan Borough.
- Provide goods or services to Wigan Borough businesses or residents.
- Employ a significant number of local residents.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the borough, such as supporting local charities, sponsoring community organisations, or actively contributing to the local economy.
Entries will be assessed based on their impact and involvement within Wigan Borough, ensuring that the awards truly celebrate those who help make our business community thrive.
Judging Process – How It Works
An independent panel of judges, comprised of experts in different industries, carefully evaluates all applications. They assess the merit of each entry based on the specific criteria outlined for each award category. The judging process is transparent, fair, and unbiased.
- Entry Deadline: Applications close on 30th April 2025.
- Initial Review: All applications will be passed to our independent judging panel, who will check, verify, review and compile a shortlist of entrants to progress to the next stage.
- Shortlist Notification: Once the review is complete, all applicants will be contacted to confirm the outcome of their application and next steps if shortlisted.
- Interviews: Shortlisted entrants will be invited to a face-to-face interview with the judging panel during the week commencing 14th July 2025. You will be notified at least two weeks before your interview. If you are unable to attend, judges will revert to the scores from your written application.
- Finalists: Finalists will be announced 14-21 days from the last interview taking place, and this will be done via an email to finalists. All finalists will also be published on a dedicated page on the website, and prmoted on our social media channels.
Feedback
We welcome feedback requests at any stage of the process.
Email: info@wiganboroughbusinessawards.co.uk to request feedback on your application.