ENTRIES are set to open for the 25th Dorset Business Awards.

This year’s awards, organised by Dorset Chamber, include some new categories alongside the established favourites.

Companies of all sizes can enter from Monday, June 3, along with entrepreneurs, employees and apprentices.

The awards, supported by Wave 105 and the Daily Echo, are free to enter and entrants do not need to be members of the chamber.

The award categories are:

  • TeamJobs Team of the Year.
  • Exporting Excellence, sponsored by HSBC and PSP Worldwide Logistics.
  • Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by Superior.
  • Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by Dorset LEP.
  • Enhanced Business Growth Award, sponsored by Enhanced.
  • PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award.
  • Lester Aldridge Company of the Year.
  • BV Dairy Investing in Dorset.
  • Environmental Award, sponsored by Dorset Wildlife Trust and Kingston Maurward College.
  • Engineering & Manufacturing Award, sponsored by REIDsteel and Atlas Elektronik.
  • Creative Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Digital Storm.
  • Health & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Ouch Training Team.

Stuart Dixon, head of marketing communications at Dorset Chamber, said: “We’re proud to announce that this year’s Dorset Business Awards are now open for entry. These awards represent Dorset businesses on a national stage and ensure our county is highlighted as a great place to live and to work. It showcases our innovation, leadership and togetherness while inspiring and honouring the people at the heart of our business community.

“We have two new categories this year with the Excellence in Engineering & Manufacturing Award and the Apprentice of the Year Award and are looking forward to receiving a diverse range of entries between now and the end of the summer.”

Entries need to be submitted via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk by Friday, August 2. Finalists will be invited to a gala awards dinner on Thursday, November 28.

Entertainment sponsor is Custom World, and Brighter Productions return for a fifth year running as production sponsor of the ceremony.

For information or to buy tickets for the gala dinner, visit dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or call 01202 714810.

Individual tickets cost £90 plus VAT for chamber members or £100 plus VAT for non-members. A table for 10 costs £850 plus VAT for members or £950 plus VAT for non-members.