The Exeter Sustainability Awards, recognising businesses, community groups and individuals who are going the extra mile for sustainability in Exeter is returning for a second year. Founded by Princesshay in 2022, the awards will open for entries on Friday 1st September.

Global City Futures are again sponsoring the awards for Small Business, with Senior Consultant Rachael Gilliam on the judging panel.

Rachael has focused on providing Programme Management to local authorities and other public sector organisations to ensure the safe continuity of vital and sensitive services, developing sustainable financial business models and has a range of corporate and professional experience.  She was very impressed with entries to the Awards last year, and is looking forward to being on the judging panel.

Rachael said “It was so heartening last year to hear about projects large and small that are happening in our home city, and to celebrate their successes. Global City Futures are very pleased to be sponsoring the awards again this year, and championing sustainable small businesses as we know you don’t have to be a big business to make a big difference. I believe that all businesses can build in sustainability, and have it as part of their culture and mission, I’m really looking forward to being inspired by this year’s entries.”

The Awards are brought together by Princesshay, The Crown Estate, Exeter Live Better, University of Exeter and InExeter. They will be working together to celebrate, support and recognise the sustainable practice and commitment of businesses, organisations and individuals driving change and making a difference to sustainability across Exeter.

The Exeter Sustainability Awards are free to enter and are open to organisations and individuals living or operating within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. The categories open for entry are new for this year  – Youth Awards, also Community group / charity / non-profit, School / educational organisation, Micro business (0-9 employees), Small business (10-49 employees), Medium/Large business (50+ employees) and the Citizen’s Award which is open for any individual going above and beyond in their community.

A panel of judges will be looking for environmental and social best practice, innovation, sustainable energy use and climate resilience. Judges include Emma Askew, Founder and Director of Earth Minutes; Kalkidan Legesse, Social Entrepreneur; Peter Knight, Manager Director of Stagecoach South West; Trevor Gomm, Princesshay Operations Manager; Rachael Gilliam, Senior Consultant Global City Futures and Helen Shoesmith, The Crown Estate.

Global City Futures, Exeter College and Coastal Recycling are sponsoring Small Business, the new Youth category and Community group / charity / non-profit respectively.

Organisations, businesses, and individuals can enter themselves or nominate others. Entries are now open and close on 1st December 2023.

Full details about the Exeter Sustainability Awards, categories and the application process can be found at www.exetersustainabilityawards.co.uk