Utility Week

24 | 31ST AUGUST - 6TH SEPTEMBER 2018 | UTILITY WEEK Customers Event More chances to win at this year's Utility Week Awards The year's Utility Week Awards has four new categories, so if your company has done something in the past 12 months worth shouting about, this is your opportunity to get your voice heard loud and clear. T he clock is ticking for entries for the industry's prestigious Utility Week Awards 2018. So, don't miss your chance to show what sets your business apart and to celebrate your success with the rest of the sector. They're affectionately known as our industry's Oscars – and you've still got time to join the utilities sector's Hall of Fame by entering this year's event. Has your business had an exceptional year? Have you got something to really shout about? Well don't miss the opportunity to put yourself in the running for one of the sector's most coveted trophies. The entry deadline for our search to find the leading companies and teams from across the industry is just a week away and we are waiting to hear from those who deserve to be officially acknowledged as providing the gold standard of industry performance. You may have set a benchmark for others to aspire to, nurtured extraordinary teamwork, delivered an outstanding project or brought real community benefits – if you have done something to make the industry proud, let us know. The 14 awards categories offer companies a perfect way to highlight their successes, celebrate the achievements of staff and pro- vide recognition for those who really are going that extra mile, be it in customer ser- vice, health and safety or performance. With an annual black-tie dinner at Lon- don's Grosvenor House Hotel in December, the awards have also become an institution in their own right – as well as the industry's annual Christmas party. This year we are recognising an even wider breadth of achievement with the intro- duction of new awards reflecting the exciting strides the dynamic sector is making in areas such as diversity and innovation – all judged by experts in the field. Our four new award categories are: • Customer Engagement • Diversity • Transformation and Innovation • Utility Partner of The Year The Utility Week Awards are open to util- ity companies producing, distributing and retailing energy or water. Other companies are welcome to enter jointly with utility part- ners. The initiative, project or campaign in most cases should be completed during the financial year 2017/18. Every shortlisted entrant receives a bespoke benchmarking report, providing feedback on what the judges liked about their entry, and what they could have done better. And throughout the year, we will be pub- lishing detailed case studies looking at how our winners achieved their awards success (see p26 for a case study of one of last year's awards winners, Welsh Water). You'll find lots of advice in our guide on how to enter the awards and bring out the best in your achievements at: www.utilityweekawards.co.uk The closing date for entries is 7 September, so enter now to make sure you don't miss out on what is sure to be another industry night to remember.

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