THE Dorset Business Awards 2018, organised by Dorset Chamber, are looking to honour businesses those that are committed to developing talent and those that are scaling up in a sustainable way.

Sunseeker International is backing the Developing Talent Award, which will celebrate an employer which is applying innovation to attract, develop and retain its people.

Alex Bowman, head of talent at Sunseeker, said: “Speak to any business leader and they will tell you the UK is facing a talent crunch. As a platinum Business Partner of the Dorset Chamber, we are keen to promote talent development as a key category for this year’s Dorset Business Awards. We hope this will showcase, recognise and celebrate Dorset businesses who are seeing success from their work on talent, with a view to promoting more Dorset businesses to do the same.”

The ScaleUp Award for Business Growth has been developed to celebrate a business that demonstrates spectacular growth and can showcase a robust plan for future sustainability. Small and medium-sized businesses (with over 25 members of staff) and privately-owned companies are encouraged to enter.

Simon White, chief executive at sponsor Enhanced, said: “We are very proud to be working alongside so many remarkably successful and entrepreneurial companies. To be involved in applauding their success only makes us more aware of what an inspirational place Dorset is and its growth can only go from strength to strength.”

In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, the Awards are also backed by Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entires can be submitted via www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk.

The closing date for entry is Friday August 3. Entry is open to all companies based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode and entrants do not need to be a member of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For further information about the Awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner which will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday, November 1, contact the DBA team on 01202 714800 or contact dba@dcci.co.uk

Sponsor profiles – Sunseeker

Sunseeker is the world’s leading brand for luxury performance motor yachts and Britain’s biggest boat builder.

From its manufacturing base in Dorset on the south coast of England, Sunseeker employs c.2,500 people and produces around 150 boats every year ranging from 50-131 feet. Demand for the company’s larger models continues to grow year-on-year with more than 125 yachts over 100 feet in length already delivered.

Buyers have benefitted from the company’s ‘bespoke’ customisation service which allows individual customers to personalise their yacht. Working very closely with highly professional dealer representation in over 74 countries, service and product support is a key priority in maintaining customer satisfaction.

Sponsor profiles – Enhanced

As one of the South's most successful consultants in the technology industry, Enhanced works with companies who believe that IT is at the core of their business growth.

They understand the need to grasp the dynamics of each and every business it partners. Enhanced define the strategy and deliver the business and finance solutions, with infrastructure technology, to help the client grow and achieve their business plans.

As national award winners for its customer service, they are proud of their long-term partnerships, with a focus on customer solutions and care. Enhanced is committed to investing in its future.