Red Rose Awards bolsters judging with Lancaster University and RSM

The judging for Red Rose Awards 2023 will be overseen by one of the country’s top-ranking universities and an international team of auditors.

Red Rose Awards has always maintained an independent, in-person judging process featuring a panel of expert judges.

For the 2023 Red Rose Awards, RSM, the leading audit, tax and consulting firm, has signed on as validation partner with Lancaster University, a top 10 UK institution, named as the official judging partner.

Karen Musgrave, office managing partner of Preston, explained: “We are a national firm but from our Lancashire office we specialise in Lancashire-based businesses. We deal with a vast range of businesses, from a vast range of industries and this gives us a great insight into the unique ways the county works.

“Our job is a tough one, because there are so many fantastic businesses putting themselves forward, and each of them has its own challenges, its own priorities and is navigating its own journey.

“But that’s where our wealth of experience is important, we ensure only the most deserving are considered for the award and we can’t wait to get started. The Red Rose Awards is a fantastic opportunity to bring Lancashire businesses together and we’re looking forward to it.”

Lancaster University regularly ranks as one of the ten best in the UK and recently placed 122nd in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Chris Lowerson, programme manager at Lancaster University, explained what makes the judging process so important: “Nominees need to be able to make the case as for why their business should be up for an award, indeed why their business should be the winner.

“This forces businesses to reflect on their practices over the last year, and really understand the great things they have achieved, but also any problems and hurdles they have faced along the way. This self-analysis is a powerful tool for any business, as they identify their own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

“As the judging partner, we get to witness the journey of these businesses; we get to see and hear about the wonderful achievements, but also see what things have made their year more challenging.”

The Red Rose Awards 2023 will take place on Thursday 9 March at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Businesses have until midnight of Friday 9 December to submit their nominations, with in-person judging taking place at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor on 8-9 February.

Rachael Norris, marketing and events director of Lancashire Business View which organises the awards, said: “We are delighted to have two organisations of such high calibre involved in the judging of our awards.

“The judging process is one of the key reasons this programme stands apart and, crucially, it has always been entirely independent of the Lancashire Business View team.

“Our judging teams make the decisions as a group to ensure transparency – those teams leave the judging rooms after interviewing finalists knowing who their winner is.

“We have also continued with the in-person element every year as we believe this is the best way for the judges to get a true in-depth understanding of the nominees - it is always a great networking opportunity for our finalists too!”