The annual quest to celebrate business excellence in Nottinghamshire has been launched.

East Midlands Chamber’s 2015 Nottinghamshire Business Awards aim to recognise and reward local firms which have excelled in their field over the past 12 months.

Businesses have until 2th6 June to get their applications in and can enter online now at www.business-awards.org.uk

The awards are delivered purely by business for business and are the only awards in the region which allow progression through to the British Chambers of Commerce’s national business awards to compete for a cash prize of £10,000 and the opportunity to be recognised as the very best in British business.

This year, there are 10 categories for businesses to enter, split into three themes. They are:

Business Performance:
•Small Business of the Year
•Export Business of the Year
•High Growth Business of the Year
•Entrepreneur of the Year

Business Improvement:
•People Development Award
•Best Use of Technology to Improve Business Performance
•Excellence in Innovation

Business Engagement:
•Education and Business Partnership Award
•Young Person in Business
•Business in the Community Award

The coveted overall Business of the Year award winner in each county will be chosen from the winners of the individual categories. A gala black-tie dinner to announce and celebrate the winners will take place in each county later in the year.

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher, said: “This year’s awards again promise to be a wonderful celebration of local business. They are all about showcasing the most innovative, enterprising and successful businesses and individuals that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have to offer.

“With a number of new categories introduced this year to reflect the ever-changing make-up of the economy, as well as its strongest performers, these awards are designed to encourage firms which have pioneered new concepts and innovations or excelled in commercial enterprise through exports.

“They will also mark the achievements of firms which have harnessed new technology to improve themselves and win more business, given something back to the community or distinguished themselves with their attitude to workforce development, young people and the skills agenda.”