Smarta 100 / Special Awards Nominees: People

Successful business is about great people. The five companies that have made the cut here are full of outstanding people who make a difference by ensuring their company does its upmost to improve lives. They do this by investing in their staff through training and opportunities, going the extra mile to make sure their customers feel loved or genuinely helping the people the business deals with.

The prize

The special award for the best use of people is sponsored by Natwest and the winner will receive £1,000 worth of training in employment law and HR or health and safety.

Who will win?

Our judges decide on the overall winner from the shortlist of five companies you can see above. The winner is announced on 8 November at the Smarta 100 Awards Ceremony.

The judges are looking for the company that has a genuine understanding of the value of its people; one that thinks creatively when coming up with new ways of investing in its people and gives the people it deals with on a daily basis extra-special care. It might also go the extra mile in creating opportunity for people outside the business.

2011 winner

The winners from last year, Umi Hotels, runs a programme to help young people get on the hospitality career ladder. They have employed over 100 interns, giving them a valuable experience and the opportunity to gain new skills.

They also engaged London fashion students in designing the staff uniforms and have brilliant relationships with the local communities.

For more information about NatWest, click here