Mansfield and Ashfield businesses are among the finalists of this year’s Nottinghamshire Business Awards.

The awards, which are once again being run in partnership with principal sponsor Mazars, feature 13 categories – ranging from outstanding growth and innovation in manufacturing within an organisation to individual honours for entrepreneur of the year and apprentice of the year.

New categories have been added this year with the Environmental Impact Award and the Generation Next – Young Professional of the Year Award.

Winners will be chosen during a virtual judging day by a panel including sponsors, an East Midlands Chamber board member and a member of the Chamber’s senior leadership team. They will then be announced at an awards ceremony in November.

There will also be a Nottinghamshire Business of the Year award selected from all the finalists by headline sponsor Mazars.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Our Business Awards are always a great opportunity to showcase enterprise success in the region, but perhaps this year will be even more special during what has been a hugely difficult time for many businesses.

“It was great to see that Covid-19 hasn’t stifled innovation, resilience and a determination to grow and succeed among the region’s business community, with a very high number of applicants.

“What’s also apparent is the range of companies – spanning a cross-section of sectors – that entered this year’s awards. It highlights both the diversity of industrial strengths and the mix of large and small companies the East Midlands has to offer – something that will be key to the region’s economic recovery.

“I’d also like to thank our sponsors. Without their support, these awards would not be possible. Like the finalists, they represent success stories in the East Midlands and it speaks volumes of this event’s reputation that they should want to be aligned with it.”

Among the local finalists are:

Community Impact Award
Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society
Portland Pathways, Portland College

Outstanding Growth Award – Sponsored by RSM
CCM Group, Mansfield.

Generation Next – Young Professional of the Year Award
Hannah Hickman, Mansfield Innovation Centre

Commitment to People Development
CCM Group, Mansfield
Custard Technical Services
The Evolve Trust, Farnsfield

Excellence in Customer Service
Custard Technical Services, Farnsfield
Mansfield Innovation Centre

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University
CCM Group, Mansfield