PAST winners and current judges have shared top tips on putting together entries for this years Somerset Business Awards.

Businesses in Somerset have until December 3 to submit their entries.

There are 14 categories this year with two new awards - Employee of the Year and Rebuild and Thrive.

Michael Cahill, from main awards sponsor Albert Goodman, joined fellow judge and category sponsor Lizzie Ginbey, of Teapot Creative, and Leona McDonald from double 2021 winners, Marston Foods, to pass on their expert advice in a special webinar earlier this month.

“There is a lot of detail in the application process but as we went through it, we were reminded of all the brilliant things that we’d done," Ms McDonald said.

"Everyone was so proud to win and it gave everyone a real boost."

The webinar was hosted by awards’ organiser Somerset Chamber of Commerce and a recording of the webinar is available to watch online via Somerset Chamber’s YouTube channel.

The awards, now in their 17th year, recognise and celebrate the very best of Somerset businesses across a wide range of sectors.

They are the only county-wide business awards in Somerset.

The awards are free to enter and businesses do not need to be a member of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce to take part.

BBC Journalist Claire Carter is set to host the awards ceremony on March 11 2021.

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)

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, Global, Newsquest, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, Teapot Creative and Barclays UK.

More information about the awards is available on the website, somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.