I AM pleased to announce that entries for the Annual Chamber Business Awards are now open.

The black tie ceremony with over 680 attendees will take place on Thursday, July 2, at the Worcester Arena.

Entrants have until 4pm on Friday, March 27, to complete and submit their applications, so I encourage all businesses across the two counties to get their entries submitted.

The awards are free to enter for Members and Non-members of all sizes and sectors, the opportunities that come alongside entering an award are invaluable, including a great boost to staff morale, a powerful tool to raise your profile and a way to stand out against your competitors.

We are also delighted to announce the addition of two new categories for the 2020 awards; Commitment to the Community, sponsored by Sanctuary Group and Excellence in Sustainability, sponsored by Business Energy Efficiency Programme.

The Full list of categories available for this year’s awards are:

NEW – Commitment to the Community Award, Sponsored by Sanctuary Group

NEW – Excellence in Sustainability, Sponsored by Business Energy Efficiency Programme

Best use of Technology, Sponsored by TechTeam

Employer of the Year, Sponsored by University of Worcester

Excellence in Customer Service, Sponsored by Air Products

Excellence in Innovation, Sponsored by Malvern Science Park

Exporter of the Year, Sponsored by Malvern Panalytical

Family Business of the Year, Sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickebys

Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace, Sponsored by Cargill Protein Group

High Growth Business of the Year, Sponsored by EBC Group

Manufacturer of the Year, Sponsored by OGL Computers

Micro Business of the Year, Sponsored by Worcestershire Business Central

Most Promising New Business, Sponsored by mfg Solicitors LLP

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Orchard Valley Foods

The Professional Services Award, Sponsored by Worcestershire County Council

All winners of the Chamber Business Awards will be automatically entered into the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by FOLK2FOLK.

All Member entries will then be entered into the regional awards and if successful see their company nominated for an award on the national stage at the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Business Awards.

The 2019 edition of the BCC Awards saw eight businesses representing the two counties on the national stage including ArrangeMy, Bishop Fleming, DRPG, Environmental Management Solutions, Indra Renewable Technologies Ltd, Level Peaks Associates, Malvern Panalytical Limited and OLPRO.

Bishop Fleming were awarded with the Workplace Wellbeing Award along with being named Business of the Year 2019 at a ceremony held last year in London. The judges praised the Chartered Accountants for utilising cutting-edge technology to deliver accounting, tax, corporate restructuring and advisory services that have enabled its clients to achieve their business goals.

As a benefit of winning the Business of the Year Award, representatives from Bishop Fleming will get the prestigious opportunity of opening the London Stock Exchange in March.

On their award success, Ian Smith, Bishop Fleming chairman, said: “I am over the moon that we have been recognised as 2019 Business of the Year.”

“To have so many quality finalists from Herefordshire and Worcestershire shows what amazing places our counties are for business and what a great Chamber we have supporting us.”

I look forward to seeing as many businesses attend the event as possible to celebrate a year of success.

To enter the awards, visit hwchamber.co.uk/events/business-awards/ or for further information please contact our events team by email on events@hwchamber.co.uk or call 01905 673612.