The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards announced some exciting changes for the Awards in March with three brand new regions.
That’s not all, though…
They are completely changing the format of its awards ceremonies!
Here we have #GBEA host, Wynne Evans, and founder, Francesca James, to explain more…
More unique, more accessible, more relaxed
Announcing the changes, Team GBEA said championing entrepreneurs of all sizes is at the heart of everything it does. That’s why it's changing the regional finals themselves. Big gala final awards ceremony aren’t cheap to run, which means higher ticket prices. But it doesn’t want any entrepreneur to feel like they can’t enter, or even worse, attend the ceremony as a finalist, because of ticket prices.
So, in an effort to lower the barrier to entry, the regional finals will take place in more unique and intimate venues. No longer black tie events, they’ll be more relaxed and energising in a ‘talk show’ format with plenty on offer in the form of well-known names peppered with inspiring performances.
Over the past two years, regional finals have taken place throughout November, but these will now take place across September and October (dates to be released soon!).
National Final
Although the regional finals will become more intimate, GBEA still wants winners to experience the glitz and glamour that comes with the conventional awards ceremonies we have run since 2013. The National Final will be the showpiece event, where all regional winners come together in London to be crowned the national winner of their category and the national Great British Entrepreneur of the Year for 2019 will be revealed.
With the regional finals moving to September and October, there is now space for the National Final to be brought into November. And following a recent partnership, the National Final will take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week, showcasing the absolute best that the UK has to offer.
