Main Sponsor
Stratford District Council
This year Stratford-on-Avon District Council has chosen to be the main sponsor for Stratford Herald’s Business and Tourism Awards. One of the District Council’s priorities is supporting businesses, protecting jobs and developing a thriving economy, so the opportunity to sponsor the Awards seemed a natural fit and reaffirms our commitment to support and celebrate the local economy. The Awards also cover the whole of our District, from Studley and Henley, through to Southam and Shipston, Bidford and Alcester which is important to the District Council. During the pandemic the District Council paid out over £73 million to over 7,000 businesses across the District. And more recently has created or safeguarded almost 850 jobs as part of a £1.2 million government funding scheme to help businesses with their post-COVID recovery plans. By supporting these Awards, the District Council is showing its commitment and support of the local business community.
Category Sponsors
Porterbrook
Porterbrook has been at the heart of Britain’s railway for over 25 years and owns a quarter of the national passenger rail fleet. We are pleased to present the Business Innovation Award this year. Innovation is a key part of what we do. Just a few miles away from Stratford-on-Avon at our Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre (RIC), our engineers and partners are developing and testing the UK’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train HydroFLEX. In the year since we took over Long Marston RIC, many local businesses have played an important part in modernising and enhancing the facilities at the site.
Stratford upon Avon School
Stratford upon Avon School is proud to sponsor the Community Support Award as part of The Herald’s Business and Tourism Awards for 2024. As a school that prides itself on being in the heart of such a close-knit and energised community, we are keenly aware of the important roles many local businesses, clubs and charities play in enhancing the opportunities available to everyone. Their work is particularly appreciated when supporting the more vulnerable amongst us. So many of the students and families that make up our own ‘Stratford School Community’ in the present, past and future have benefitted from the work these organisations do, and we are honoured to be able to demonstrate our gratitude by sponsoring this award.
Crowne Plaza
A stunning riverside hotel set amid landscaped gardens beside the River Avon and just a short walk from the town centre.
Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon offers the perfect setting for business, pleasure, and leisure. The hotel offers 14 fully equipped meeting spaces for up to 400 guests, with a dedicated Crowne Plaza Meetings Director on site, a conference café, and food and drink options to match your requirements.
Stratford College
Stratford-upon-Avon College is a friendly, accessible, employer-responsive College that cares about the individual success of all of our students and employer partners. Just a ten-minute walk from the centre of Stratford, the College offers students the opportunity to study in a safe, inclusive environment. Whether you’re finishing school, or an adult wanting to get back into education to progress in your career or learn something new, you will be very welcome. With a large investment project taking place to improve facilities further, there’s never been a better time to get in touch!
Orbit
Orbit is one of the UK’s foremost housing groups creating thriving communities within a growing portfolio of over 46,500 affordable and social rent homes largely throughout the Midlands, East and South of England. For over 50 years we’ve been a force for positive changes, particularly during the country’s continuing housing and residential challenges. We manage a portfolio of high quality, sustainable homes to over 100,000 customers in differing stages of life, from first timers to enhanced supported living, and are one of the largest builders of affordable homes in the UK. Our vision is to lead in building thriving communities, and we believe everyone is entitled to a good quality home that they can afford in a place that they are proud to live.
Shakespeare Martineau
Working with businesses and organisations of all sizes, families and private clients, law firm Shakespeare Martineau provides specialist legal advice and services for life and business.
Warwick University
Warwick is one of the UK's leading universities, with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation, and for links with business and industry. Whether you’re a dedicated student, an innovative lecturer or an ambitious company, Warwick provides a tireless yet supportive environment in which you can make an impact. It’s the achievements of our people that help explain why our levels of research excellence and scholarship are recognised internationally.
Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) creates exceptional theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and around the world, performing plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as commissioning a wide range of original work from contemporary writers. Our purpose is to ensure that Shakespeare – and theatre as a whole – is for everyone and we do that by unlocking the power of his plays and live performance and with our learning and education work throughout the UK and across the world.
Associate Sponsors
