The Prestige Awards was launched to celebrate the businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, ex-pats and tourist visitors alike.
The awards team conduct extensive research to identify the major cities and regions around the world with a vibrant SME community and independent scene. They believe that SME businesses are the backbone of any economy, whilst also typically reflecting the unique characteristics of its particular city or region. Osmaan Mahmood, Founder & CEO of Prestige Awards, said: “although small businesses may not be able to compete with multinational companies on their size and scale, there is a personalised service-driven focus that is often void from large organisations.”
With each destination having been carefully selected, Prestige readers are invited to nominate businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. All shortlisted companies put forward in the Prestige Awards are asked to support their nomination with evidence of their work, positive feedback from their clients, information on previous accreditation and recognition as well as highlighting the most outstanding parts of their businesses.
The judging panel base their decisions upon areas such as service excellence, quality of the product/service provided, innovative practices, value, ethical or sustainable methods of working, as well as consistency in performance. The winners selected are those who can best demonstrate their strengths in these areas. All winners are featured in a celebratory awards magazine, published both digitally and in print, which is circulated to Prestige subscribers.
AWARDS PROCESS
The Prestige Awards team is committed to identifying market leaders, innovators and enterprising start-ups through in-depth research, word of mouth and first-hand experience. We also encourage external nominations via online visitors, social media followers, clients and colleagues. Nominations should champion the best in their respective fields, representing the pinnacle of business achievements.
All nominees are formally requested to accept their nomination in order to be considered. Those who accept are given the opportunity to submit additional materials in support of their nomination. There is no obligation to complete and supply additional materials; however, it provides a useful opportunity to showcase your achievements and help our judges to better understand your business.
Our dedicated judging team will look at each case individually, and assess how your business has harnessed more effective processes, products or ideas in order to provide an exceptional product or service. The team gathers information independently from a variety of publicly accessible sources, which are assessed alongside supporting material provided by a nominating party or the nominee themselves. The research team casts their final judgment based on the following criteria: service excellence, marketing and branding, industry recognition, ethical practice, and employee satisfaction.
Once winners are chosen, they are personally notified before any public announcement is made. This allows time for communication regarding the coordination of marketing strategies. Unfortunately, not everyone can be a winner but all who take part are encouraged to resubmit nominations the following year with a number of previous winners having gone through the same process. When the embargo is lifted, details of successful Prestige Award clients will be made public via the website, award winners’ magazine and subscriber newsletter.
We offer a range of promotional packages and items to Prestige Award winners, from a listing in the digital publication and content in our magazine to trophies and certificates. Our winners are promoted via our weekly newsletter which is sent to more than 500,000 registered subscribers with over 30,000 magazine copies being printed.
We also encourage all winners to publicly announce their win independently. Announcements via company websites, social media, publicly released press releases, and through local and national press are proven methods to maximise exposure following such an achievement. This award is a recognised endorsement of your company’s expertise and professionalism, providing a leading edge over competitors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Prestige Awards have been in circulation for 5+ years. We partner with leading experts in producing content which keeps our readers up to date with the latest developments in their local communities.
Nominations for Prestige Award winners often come from self-submissions. Other avenues for nominees include colleagues, clients and customers. Meanwhile, our research team also nominate candidates who they believe have exceeded industry expectations.
One of the main mantras of our awards process is that your ability to succeed is not affected by the number of votes received. Thus, awards are presented purely on merit, based on the company’s general excellence. With regards to security and fairness, we track unusual behaviour on our website to identify repeat votes and cyber-threats.
Accepted nominees are subject to scrutiny during the internal vetting procedure. They are then given the opportunity to present their own data to be considered alongside information collated by our research team. It can take up to eight weeks for final assessments to be rendered.
Upon being notified, we enforce a short press embargo while the programme manager liaises with winning candidates to establish preferred methods of coverage. Generally, our coverage takes the form of a digital celebratory magazine but we also offer physical trophies, wall mounted and digital certificates, plaques, web-based advertisements and press releases which can be tailored to successful award winners.
There are no compulsory costs in accepting a nomination or winning an award with Prestige Awards. To demonstrate our commitment to no mandatory fees, all winners are offered a free of charge promotional package including a listing in the digital publication as well as an official press release. We feel our winners should always be able to enjoy the full value of the award, regardless of budget.
Nevertheless, we do offer a variety of promotional packages that come with a range of benefits. Promoting industry awards can have massive business benefits and we are sure to have the right package for you.
There are Presentation Day ceremonies, providing successful winners the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, meet the Prestige Awards team, take part in our photoshoot and be presented with any physical awards they have ordered.
Hosted across the country in luxurious venues, these events bring together the small and medium-sized enterprises who have thrived in their local region. Winners are invited to bring their whole team or attend individually – it is entirely up to you! All imagery taken on the day will be available on the Prestige Awards website.
THE JUDGING TEAM
Osmaan is the founder and CEO of Fenice Media. After graduating from Aston Business School with a degree in Business & Management, Osmaan worked in publishing at various magazine titles across a wide range of industries. He used this experience to launch Corporate LiveWire as the first publication under the Fenice Media brand. Corporate LiveWire has since published more than 200 specialist roundtable discussions and over 150 expert guides on topics ranging from mergers & acquisitions to intellectual property.
Under Osmaan’s leadership, Fenice Media has expanded into an international publishing company spanning six different publications. The media group now produces Luxury Travel Guide, iGap Travel Guide, iStudy, Medical LiveWire and Prestige Awards. He has also overseen the development of Luxury Travel Guide tourist maps for various major cities around the world from London to New York. Osmaan knows what it takes to build a successful business, making him an ideal judge to consider the credentials of SME and start-up nominees.
Andrew has an extensive background in the business-based publishing sector, using his insights and experience to guide the strategy and direction of the Prestige Awards. He is passionate about supporting small and independent businesses, as well as providing a voice to the ‘less-glamorous’ industries that are often overlooked.
Andrew believes that in order to understand the unique quirks of the local market, one must truly immerse themselves within the community. It is this ethos that has led Andrew to spend at least two weeks in each destination prior to launching a new Prestige Awards campaign. Furthermore, he is always looking for the story behind the business and shows a keen interest in the finer details of how they have managed to build their success.
James has been the Editor-in-Chief for all publications under Fenice Media since 2012. Over the past eight years, he has played a key role in the release of more than 400 publications on topics ranging from specialist corporate, financial and legal sectors to lifestyle, travel, food & drink, education, spa & wellness and weddings. During this time he has been fortunate enough to travel extensively from visiting Michelin star restaurants in Berlin to featuring in a national television documentary series on Buddhism in Vietnam. This has enabled James to experience many cultures and discover a whole world of adventures.
James regularly attends major conferences and events, and has acquired a strong understanding of various industries from his numerous discussions with thought leaders. He has interviewed experts across many fields including senior figures at the big four audit firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and the United Nations to celebrity personalities such as Colin Montgomerie and Chris Jericho. As a judge, James is able to use his journalistic acumen to determine the very best from the rest.
Antonio Cuellar is a seasoned commercial photographer with over two decades of experience, specialising in hospitality and travel. While luxury hotels and resorts make up the core of his clientele, his impressive portfolio includes brands like Cartier, Crate & Barrel, and Estée Lauder. His work has taken him worldwide, shooting major campaigns—including the Qatar Airways campaign for the FIFA World Cup in Doha.
Known for his artistic versatility, Antonio seamlessly blends different styles, excelling in Architecture & Interiors, Lifestyle, and Food & Beverage photography. His ability to capture the essence of luxury has made him the go-to photographer for high-end hospitality brands. In recent years, he has expanded into video production, becoming a licensed drone operator and integrating cinematic storytelling into his projects.
Antonio’s success is not just a result of technical mastery but also his collaborative approach. He works closely with creative directors and brand marketers, transforming concepts into compelling visual narratives. Whether executing a detailed marketing brief or co-creating fresh, innovative ideas, his adaptability and artistic intuition set him apart. His expertise has also earned industry recognition, with photography equipment manufacturers regularly inviting him as a panelist and consultant. Additionally, he shares his knowledge through his advanced Architectural Photography Workshops at Maine Media Workshops, solidifying his reputation as an authority in the field.
After dedicating 22 years to the West Midlands Police Force, Dionne Mallens made the bold decision to transition into the world of business ownership in 2015. With prior experience in UK property investment, she launched a commercial energy business, successfully building a sales team across the Midlands.
Despite securing clients and gaining traction, Dionne quickly recognised that scaling the business to achieve the lifestyle she envisioned required more than just hard work it demanded visibility, trust, and credibility at scale.
That’s when she discovered the power of LinkedIn and social selling. By leveraging these strategies, she significantly increased her ability to attract and engage ideal prospects, resulting in a surge of booked appointments and high-value client meetings.
Eager to deepen her expertise, Dionne sought out and learned from top marketing and sales professionals. Today, she works with business owners and organisations to design and implement strategic marketing, lead generation, and sales plans that drive sustainable business growth.
In addition, she has created a structured pathway for individuals looking to transition from employment to entrepreneurship – empowering them with the skills and strategies needed to build and scale successful businesses.
Dionne is also an ambassador and, through her company, a charity partner to Foundation 2 Change, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals in overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives through structured programs, mentorship, and employment opportunities.
With over a decade of experience in the startup ecosystem, Senna Baillie is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist. As the founder of Coir Consulting, Senna has guided numerous startups through critical development stages, leveraging deep knowledge in marketing strategies, business development, and data-driven decision-making. Passionate about empowering businesses to scale sustainably, Senna is dedicated to helping clients optimize their operations and achieve meaningful, long-term success.
Coir Consulting, established in 2024, specialises in guiding businesses through financial planning and technological transformation. The firm offers tailored solutions designed to streamline operations, secure investment, and achieve sustainable growth. Services include investment readiness assessments, market analysis, operational excellence strategies, technology services, strategic advisory, and comprehensive cloud solutions.
Under Senna’s leadership, Coir Consulting has become a trusted partner to startups and established businesses alike, bringing world-class expertise and a deep understanding of the unique challenges they face. Whether optimising financial strategies or integrating cutting-edge technology, the firm supports clients in navigating the complexities of launching and scaling their ventures.
Matthew is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and Co-Founder & Managing Director of Champions (UK) plc, an entrepreneurial-led business created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. With over 20 years’ experience, he has worked with companies at every stage of the business journey, from start-up and scale-up through to exit and IPO. Matthew specialises in driving capital value and EBITDA growth for mid-market businesses, aligning strategy with outcomes to deliver measurable success.
His expertise spans strategic growth, M&A, brand positioning, and digital transformation, all underpinned by a practical, results-driven mindset. He works closely with founders, CEOs, and investors to identify growth opportunities and unlock potential in competitive markets.
As a keynote speaker, NED, and advocate for entrepreneurialism, Matthew is passionate about sharing insights, challenging convention, and helping business leaders across the UK and beyond accelerate their growth ambitions. His work has earned him multiple national accolades and recognition as one of the UK’s top founders.
Daniel Johnson is a force in the hospitality industry, with a career that has shaped the way hotels operate, inspect, and elevate their standards. As one of the youngest hotel managers in the US at the age of 18, he has since built, inspected, renovated, and reflagged over 100 properties across nearly every major brand as well as numerous independent hotels. His expertise has been featured in Lodging Magazine, on the Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible, where he worked on and off camera to reposition underperforming facilities around the world, as well as leadership roles in some of the industry’s most respected circles. Whether attaining elite awards like the White Glove, GM of the Year, Lodging Member of the Year, or leading critical safety initiatives, his work has left a lasting impact on hospitality.
Now, as Founder & CEO of GuestSwap LLC, Daniel is taking on the giants of the travel industry with a platform designed to change the way hotel rooms are booked. Built by someone who knows hotels inside and out, GuestSwap is set to disrupt the status quo—and it’s already turning heads.
Daniel has always known what’s been broken in the industry. And now, he’s fixing it.
Andrew has more than a decade of experience as a media researcher. He has provided valuable support to the editorial team by sourcing contacts and expert contributors, collecting and verifying information, and monitoring global trends and developments to ensure the content is always contemporary and fresh.
Since becoming Head of Research in 2019, Andrew has overseen the due diligence process for all Prestige Award nominees. He leads the team in monitoring and evaluating all nomination submissions, supporting information provided by nominees, as well as conducting additional research and fact checks. His meticulous attention to detail helps ensure his team maintains the highest standards of accuracy and quality in all research carried out on behalf of Prestige Awards. His insight and analysis is of tremendous benefit to the judging panel.