Having submitted carefully composed entries at the end of January, entrants still had everything to play for at the 8 February event.
The evening offered Wiltshire’s hopefuls a last opportunity to make an impression on the judging panel before 2018’s finalists are picked.
Among the local figureheads deciding who should take home the top honours are Mary Sanders, editor of BBC Wiltshire, Jo Minnaar of the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP and Thrings partner, Ramona Derbyshire.
Entrepreneurs, SMEs and organisations attending the Meet the Judges event were also given a chance to size up the competition and find out first-hand what the panel are looking for when they come knocking on the door during the next stage of the awards process – the site visits, unique to this competition.
Organised by Newsquest Wiltshire, the awards – now in their 24th year – recognise and celebrate the excellence and achievements of Wiltshire’s thriving business community. Introducing himself as the new editor of Newsquest’s sister publications the Swindon Advertiser, Wiltshire Times and Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, Pete Gavan was pleased to be sharing the region’s business successes through the awards.
Thrings is a long-time headline sponsor of the event, a treasured fixture in the county’s business calendar.
This year, businesses are competing in a total of 10 categories – including the brand new Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility Award – with all entrants gaining automatic entry into the Thrings-sponsored Outstanding Excellence Award.
The other categories are: Business Person of the Year; Learning and Development Employer of the Year Award; Creative Awareness Award; Customer and Staff Care Award; Medium Sized Enterprise Award; Start Up Business of the Year; Service to the Community Award; and Small Business Award.
Ramona, who welcomed guests alongside Thrings partner John Davies, said: “The Meet the Judges evening is one of my favourite parts of the awards process and last week’s event was no exception.
“You can really get a sense of which businesses are most proud of their achievements and are serious about winning. As always, it was a great evening and the team of judges now has a better idea of which companies they would like to visit ahead of deciding the victors. We wish everyone the best of luck.”
Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Center Parcs Longleat on 20 April.
You can view photos from the Meet the Judges evening here.
For more for information about the 2018 Wiltshire Business Awards, please click here.
