Nominations are being sought for the 2017 High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise.

In their 11th year, the awards offer thousands of pounds worth of prizes, as well as access to a network of support across Cheshire and a promotional opportunity for local businesses.

The winners will be announced at a presentation evening on March 23, 2017 at Chester Racecourse. Guests will include business leaders, judges and the finalists.

The Awards were introduced in 2006 by the then High Sheriff of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, to recognise outstanding achievement by enterprises in Cheshire. They are now endorsed and developed by each High Sheriff in office.

The current High Sheriff of Cheshire, Kathy Cowell, said: “I am delighted to be presiding over these business awards. During my year in office my focus is on volunteering and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the range of businesses we have across the region in this and other areas.”

Executive director of the University of Chester’s Business Research Institute, Professor Phil Harris, said: “Cheshire, Warrington and Halton have a tremendous range of businesses and these Awards celebrate the wide breadth and diversity of some wonderful companies, people and businesses that make up our regional economy.

“We look forward to welcoming the winner of the MBA programme and offering them the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of studying at the University of Chester.”

The winner of the High Sheriff’s Award for Enterprise, sponsored by Cheshire and Warrington LEP, LDF and O2, will receive a free place for one of its appropriately qualified managers on the award-winning MBA programme at the University of Chester, worth £10,000.

Winners of the High Sheriff’s Award for Responsible Business Practice, sponsored by Your Housing Group, the Mornflake Oats Award for Innovation, the Roberts Bakery Family Business Award of Excellence and the Award for Training, Development and Opportunity sponsored by Chesss and Click Consult will win £3,000 each.

The winner of the two new Apprenticeship Awards, sponsored by Barlows Electrical, will each win £2,000.

The winner of the Cheshire Business Exporter of the Year, sponsored by the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and ESL Fuels, will win a package of support to help research and develop overseas trade in one new market.

The winner of the Cheshire Business Leaders (CBL) Award for Outstanding Cheshire and Warrington Business Leader will receive £500. The winner of the Cheshire Business Leaders Award for the Cheshire and Warrington Entrepreneur of the Year will receive £500 worth of prize money to invest in their business plus free mentoring and business support to the value of £500 from CBL members.

The closing date for entries is Monday, October 31.

Further information can be obtained from Sally Williamson, Business Research Institute, sally.williamson@chester.ac.uk or telephone 01244 512888.