ENTRIES for the 2022 Somerset Business Awards open TODAY.

And BBC journalist and broadcaster, Claire Carter, has been conformed as the host of the award ceremony.

Somerset businesses have until December 3 to submit their entries.

And this year, there are two new categories - Employee of the Year and the Rebuild and Thrive Award.

READ MORE: Entries for Somerset Business Awards open this month - with two new categories

Claire, who has presented BBC Somerset’s Breakfast Show for the last four years, hosted the first virtual Somerset Business Awards final earlier this year and will be returning to host the finals night at Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Pavilion on March 11 2022.

Alistair Tudor, operations manager of Somerset Chamber, said he hoped firms would welcome the chance to celebrate their achievements.

“I am grateful for the sponsorship of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses who, like me, are keen to celebrate everything that is great in the county, especially when so many have companies have worked so hard to rebuild and recover from the challenges of the last 18 months," he said.

“The Somerset Business Awards covers all business sectors across a wide range of categories and I would encourage all local businesses to enter the awards to share their own success stories and celebrate their achievements.”

Awards this year include:

  • Small Business of the Year (1-5 employees)
  • Medium Business of the Year (6-25 employees)
  • Large Business of the Year (26+ employees)
  • Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award
  • Best Use of Technology Award
  • Charity of the Year Award
  • Employer of the Year
  • Investing in Somerset Award
  • Start-up of the Year Award
  • Employee of the Year Award (new award)
  • Environmental Achievement Award
  • Service Excellence Award
  • Somerset Manufacturer and Producer Award
  • Rebuild and Thrive Award (new award)

The awards, which are in their 17th year, are free to enter. Businesses do not need to be a member of Somerset Chamber to take part.

Sponsors confirmed for the 2022 awards include main sponsor Albert Goodman plus category sponsors Enterprise South West, Brook Financial, PKF Francis Clark, Porter Dodson, Hinkley Point C, Weston College, CETSAT, Garador, Gravity, Heart, Newsquest, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, Teapot Creative and Barclays UK.