Companies big and small across the county once again have the chance to blow their own trumpet by entering the Trinity Mirror Cheshire Business Awards, sponsored by SAS Daniels.

We are asking businesses from across the region to nominate themselves, or another business they know well, for one of the awards.

Leading North West law firm SAS Daniels LLP has pledged its support for Cheshire Business Awards for the sixth year running.

As the firm has four office locations across Cheshire, they are passionate about the awards together with regional investment that recognises and supports forward thinking businesses and individuals.

'Cheshire continues to be a magnet for investment'

A statement from the firm said: “SAS Daniels is delighted that Cheshire continues to be a magnet for investment and recognised as an area for high-growth.

“As a law firm with one of the largest corporate law teams in the region, led by partner Jeremy Orrell, they continue to work with businesses that are instrumental in developing Cheshire as a key destination for business excellence and growth. Economic recovery is gathering pace and there are clear signs of sustained growth among businesses throughout the region.

“It is abundantly clear that one of the key reasons why businesses in the area are continuing to flourish is due to attracting and retaining a high quality workforce.

“The importance of recruiting the right people to give clients and customers the sustainable high quality service levels is of paramount importance to businesses across all sectors. The cornerstone of any business is its people.

“SAS Daniels look forward to joining other exceptional businesses and professionals on the night and celebrating our thriving and growing regional business community.”

Here is a gallery of winners from the 2014 awards

Awards for all

Andy Phelan, business development director, Trinity Mirror Cheshire and North Wales, said: “Trinity Mirror Cheshire, publishers of the market leading Chester Chronicle series, Ellesmere Port Pioneer, Crewe Chronicle series, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News and Cheshire BuySell are very proud to lead this event with the magnificent support of our executive sponsors SAS Daniels LLP.

“Our awards are open to any firm, big or small, that operates in the region. If you think your company, or another business you know well, deserves the recognition that these awards bring, please complete the entry form.

“It will, as ever, be a celebration of excellence, as we salute the companies and business leaders and teams who have demonstrated the foresight to drive their business - and the region - forward.

“Over the past 11 years it has been fantastic to see so may Cheshire businesses rising to the challenges presented, showing not only how talented they are but also their endless determination, entrepreneurial spirit, enterprise, innovation and creativity to make it happen. We look forward to hearing about your success stories this year.

“Our awards ceremony will be held in the beautiful surroundings of Chester Cathedral on Friday, October 2, a date to mark in your diary for what promises to be a memorable evening and a true highlight in the region’s business calendar.

“We look forward to receiving your entry, and hope very much to see you at the awards ceremony in October.”

Categories

There are 11 categories to choose from and the awards are open to all businesses whatever the size of trade. The categories are:

BSUS programme delivered by Blue Orchid in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Business Start up award:

If your business has been trading for less than two years why not enter this award and receive recognition for your hard work and determination? Our winner will be an entrepreneur who has developed a new business. They may have brought a fantastic new product to market, found a niche area to focus on or overcome all odds to achieve success. Tell us about your business, your market place, your performance and your future plans to win the recognition you deserve.

Business of the Year (up to 10 employees):

Whatever your trade, if you employ between one and 10 employees and can demonstrate achievements in your marketplace with evidence of an excellent business strategy, good financial performance and your potential for the future, enter the small business of the year category.

Business of the Year (11 to 50 employees):

Do you have a great medium sized business? If you employ between 11 and 50 employees and can demonstrate business excellence this is the award for you. The judges will be looking at your achievements, business strategy, financial performance and your potential for the future.

Metronet (UK) Business of the Year (over 50 employees):

If you are the best business in Cheshire employing a workforce of more than 50 this is the category for you. The winning business will be able to demonstrate all round business excellence, financial performance, business strategy and sound future plans.

Your Housing Group Employer of the Year:

We are looking for the employers who can best demonstrate how their leadership and human resource policies support staff development, engagement and satisfaction creating a positive and supportive workplace with a well motivated and well trained team. The winner of this award will be more than just a good company to work for, their culture will deliver commercial results and they will be an inspiration to other businesses.

Investing in the future: Find-it in Cheshire and Warrington Apprenticeship Award:

Apprenticeships are good for both businesses and for individuals. They are an important way of improving the skills base in Cheshire and Warrington, giving young people opportunities beyond the classroom and providing local companies an opportunity to inspire and shape their future workforce. This award is open to any business in the region which has demonstrated a real commitment to training local young people through apprenticeships, providing them with real work experience while being supported by workplace mentors. Apprentices should have been actively engaged in the shaping of working practices and been offered a job on completion, ideally with a plan for further development and/or progression opportunities within the business.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award:

Does your business have schemes, initiatives or policies which have a positive impact of your local community? Whether you provide employment opportunities for young or disadvantaged people, show unrivalled support for local charities or even contribute to community schemes, make sure you receive the recognition you deserve and enter this award.

Bentley Motors Young Business Person of the Year:

Are you or one of your employees able to demonstrate outstanding achievements in your field? Our young business person of the year will be aged 35 or under and will display excellent career progression, leadership and management.

Mersey Forest Green Business Award:

This award celebrates excellence in green practice, strategy and product. Has your business applied environmental policies in the workplace? Do your products or services make a positive contribution to the environment? Have you reduced your carbon footprint through efficiency management? This category recognises a local business that shows evidence of a green ethos which has a commercial return for the business.

Innovation and Enterprise Award:

This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisations success. Judges will be looking for originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.

SAS Daniels Business Person of the Year:

The Business Person of the Year is a judges’ choice award and not open for entry. The winner selected by the judges will be an individual who stands out from the crowd, has an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrates outstanding achievement and inspires others around them. The winner of this award will have been instrumental to the success of their business, growing the reputation of both their business and the region.

How to enter

To enter visit our website www.cheshirebusinessawards.co.uk and download an entry form, alternatively call the events team on 01244 606472 or email enquiries@cheshirebusinessawards.co.uk to request a copy. The deadline for entries is Friday, July 10.

All entries received will be reviewed by our independent panel of judges and the shortlists announced in September.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, October 2 at Chester Cathedral.