Entering

Nominations can be submitted by the candidate or by someone else on their behalf. A third-party nomination carries no extra weight; what matters is whether the claims can be checked.

What the panel looks for

Evidence first. A specific, verifiable achievement with dates and documentation beats a long description of character every time.

Impact is assessed relative to resources. A small organisation that changed something measurable scores better than a large one reporting routine results.

Where entries fail

The most common failure is an entry full of adjectives and short on records. The second is missing the window, which closes earlier than most people expect.

After the shortlist

Shortlisted entries go through verification, which may involve a call or a request for supporting documents. Having them ready shortens the process considerably.