SPONSORS and judges of this year’s Dorset Business Awards have chosen the finalists.

More than 30 judges have analysed all award entries in detail over the last month and scored them based on each specific award’s criteria, before compiling a list of 36 local businesses that stood out from the crowd.

The finalists are scattered across the county including Evershot, Ringwood, Sturminster Newton, Bournemouth and Wareham.

The Meet the Finalists drinks reception sponsored by PKF Francis Clark will be held on Monday November 6 at the Italian Villa in Poole, and will bring together finalists and award sponsors to celebrate business achievement in Dorset. The winners of each award will then be announced at the gala dinner awards ceremony at the BIC on Thursday, November 23.

Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, and backed by Wave 105, the awards evening will begin with a drinks reception sponsored by Seventa Events. This is followed by a three-course dinner before the awards presentation begins.

Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital will be the entertainment sponsor for the evening, and Brighter Productions has come on board for the third year running as production sponsor of the awards.

The 2017 finalists are (in alphabetical order):

Business Leader of the Year Award (sponsorS: Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pure Networking): Phil Whitehurst – Actisense, Poole; Rosie Wallace – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; Warren Munson – Inspire Professional Services, Poole.

Brand of the Year Award (RT Brand Communications): Muc-off, Poole; Organix, Bournemouth; The Pig on the Beach, Studland.

Creative and Digital Impact Award (Liz Lean PR and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership): Cold Banana Studio, Bournemouth; Fireworx, Bournemouth; Strange, Bournemouth.

UK Health Insurance Investing in Dorset Award: A-One Insurance Group, Ringwood; Signature Catering Group Limited, Ringwood; Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot.

Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award: Actisense, Poole; BHLive, Bournemouth; Testlink, Poole.

PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award: Harts of Stur, Sturminster Newton; Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth; Superior, Wimborne.

Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships Award (Sunseeker International): Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester; Cobham plc, Wimborne; Redweb, Bournemouth

Outstanding Customer Service Award (Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa and Luxurycare): Anytech Solutions, Poole; Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton; Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot.

Retail and Leisure Experience Award (Dolphin Shopping Centre): Delfino Lounge, Poole; Forum Jewellers, Broadstone; The MacGuffin Project, Bournemouth.

Team of the Year Award (TeamJobs): Greenwood Campbell, Bournemouth; Inspire Professional Services , Poole; Siemens, Poole.

Young Chamber Award (Blue Sky Financial Planning): Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester; Biotrack Ltd, Wareham; LoveLove Films, Bournemouth.

UK Exporter of the Year Award (REIDSteel): Actisense, Poole; Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited (AGI), Poole; Trimetals Limited, Blandford Forum.

Stuart Dixon, head of marketing and communications and organiser of the awards from Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: ‘‘With a diverse range of high calibre companies with BH or DT postcodes entering, 2017 has been a great year so far for the Dorset Business Awards.

2The record number of entries which we’ve received highlights how significant and important the awards remain to be for the business community as a whole.

‘‘We always strive to build on what was achieved in previous years and aim each year for the awards to be better than the last. The Dorset Business Awards provide a great opportunity to recognise business excellence, to inspire others and to gain public acknowledgement for the work achieved by firms and their employees.

2We thank everyone that has taken the time to enter the awards and look forward to celebrating Dorset’s business achievement at the gala dinner awards ceremony in November.”

Businesses can entertain their VIPs or reward their teams by attending the event. There is also the opportunity to network with more than 700 achievers and inspirational figures from Dorset. Tickets purchased for the black tie Awards Gala Dinner cost £85 + VAT (Chamber members), £95 + VAT (non-Chamber members), £800 + VAT for a table of 10 (Chamber members) or £900 + VAT (non-Chamber members). Companies interested in purchasing a ticket, table or finding out about any sponsorship opportunities for 2017, should contact Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 01202 714800.