Entry Guidance

Tips on writing a nomination

Each category will be judged by a panel of experts from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Lloyds Bank and the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade. We asked some of them for their advice on what makes a good Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards entry.

• David Riches, Deputy Director of Financial, Professional and Business Services at DBT
• Glen McMahon, Head of Technology and Advanced Manufacturing at DBT Northern Ireland
• Linda Magee OBE, Health Innovation and NHS Sector Specialist at DBT
• Marco Forgione, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade
• Tony Sims, Deputy Director of Education at DBT

General advice

• Carefully read the question, then read it again and consider your answer in the context of the awards criteria. Judges are keen to see not just what businesses have accomplished, clearly stated with supporting evidence, but also how they accomplished it.
• Answer the questions clearly and concisely – it’s obvious but many people don’t do this unfortunately. A second pair of eyes often helps; ask a trusted colleague to read your nomination before you submit it.
• Give as much detail as you can in each answer (within the word limit) to provide a complete picture for the judges.
• Write your answers in paragraph form (not bullet points), with line breaks between paragraphs.
• Although it shouldn’t take long to complete the entry form, it’s also not a two-minute job, so don’t leave it until deadline day. A rushed nomination is unlikely to do justice to your exporting achievements.