The countdown is on for the 2020 annual business awards and ball.

From entrepreneurs to SMEs, 2020 recruited independent judges to help shortlist businesses, which represent industries including retail, technology, construction and service sectors.

Winners will be revealed on Friday, 24th April at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme.

Last year, Mansfield and Ashfield emerged as number two in the UK for the expansion of professional services, research and development firms, and technology companies. It is also in the top 10 for SME growth and that was reflected in the finalists.

The shortlisted businesses include Forrest Williams, the Health Insurance Group, DeVere UK, Eve Trakway, Mansfield Manor Hotel, Mansfield Building Society, NatWest, SF Media Solutions, Ulyett Landscapes Ltd, Ashfield Effluent Services, BFS Accountants Ltd, Teachers UK, Roundwood Surgery, Fidler and Pepper, Frontline Driver Solutions Ltd, Crossfit 17 Mansfield, Respectful Care, Academy Transformation Trust Further Education and Sauce & Brown.

The judging panel included Andrew Hill, of IESolutions Ltd; Michael Huxley, of The Hive, Nottingham Trent University; and Ann Stanley, of Anicca Digital. Brian Stopford, of Stopford Associates, chaired the panel process.
The judges said: “The process made us feel extremely proud of our business community. There was a high calibre of finalists that made it difficult to judge each category.”

Organiser Caroline Cox said: “This is my second year running the awards. It was interesting to see what the finalists were doing differently to stand out in their fields.”

Event sponsors are RBS Corporate, Ingeus and Mansfield Business Society. Award sponsors are Ashfield Effluent Services, Brunts Academy, Purpose Media, Ron Brooks (Mansfield) Ltd, Southwell Racecourse, A Star Media, InTraining and Mansfield Area Partnership Ltd.

Local suppliers backing the awards include CCM Print, Bliss Chair Covers, AdB Audio Visual and Mandarin Creative Solutions.

The event is also supported by the Chad, Mansfield 103.2 radio and the Mansfield and Ashfield NewsJournal.

To buy tickets for the event, which also includes a three-course meal and live entertainment, call Caroline Cox on 01623 422010 or e-mail [email protected] or go to www.mansfield2020.com/business-awards

Pictured is last year’s winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Mansfield award, Phil Lyons, with Russell Jones and Caroline Cox, of Mansfield 2020.