DYNAMIC, creative and visionary business leaders are being encouraged to enter the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University, in this year’s Dorset Business Awards in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo.

This award will honour an individual or team based in Dorset showing exceptional entrepreneurial vision and demonstrating a clear plan to achieve sustained growth in the future.

Previous winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award include Trelawney Dampney of Eco Sustainable Solutions; Matt Hawkins of C4L; Amanda Jenner, inventor of the My Carry Potty; and the team at Adido.

Trelawney Dampney, founder and managing director of Eco Sustainable Solutions, won the award in 2014. He was recognised for his dedication in organics recycling and renewable energy generation. Through careful research aimed at identifying market trends and a clear business growth strategy, he is planning a number of major investment projects, all aimed at providing more renewable energy and recycling capabilities for Dorset.

He said: “The main benefit has been the publicity and recognition it brings. No end of people have mentioned it and we flaunt it shamelessly.

“The recognition from my peers means more than anything. The award win has also helped our staff recruitment and retention by increasing morale throughout the company. I would wholeheartedly encourage others to enter the Dorset Business Awards, and even if one does not win there are plenty of benefits in just entering and attending the awards ceremony.”

Entrants will need to show evidence of:

• Trading as a sole trader, limited company, partnership, social enterprise or charity with a BH/DT postcode

• Reasons why the individual or team should become Entrepreneur of the Year

• What obstacles have been overcome to achieve success and how they were overcome

• What growth ambitions and key business objectives are in place for the future

Dean Patton, professor of Entrepreneurship at Bournemouth University, said: “This award category really helps to showcase the region’s inspirational business people and ensures the good work of our talented entrepreneurs does not go unnoticed. We want to champion enterprise, celebrate success and recognise those leading lights in Dorset.”

“Through our support of the awards we are recognising that local businesses with a specific focus on growth and innovation will play a pivotal role in providing employment opportunities and supporting the future economic prosperity of this area.”

The awards are also backed by Wave 105 and are free to enter. Entries can be submitted via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk, where you can also print a form for a paper entry. The closing date for entry is Friday September 11.

For information or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner at the BIC on November 26, contact Lorraine Hubbard on 01202 714810.