TODAY Destination Basingstoke reveals the finalists for this year’s Inspire Business Awards.

Three finalists for each of the 13 categories have been selected and they have had visits from the INSPIRE15 judging panel.

The winners and runners-up will be announced at a glittering gala dinner set to take place at De Vere Venues Highfield Park, at Heckfield, near Hook, on Thursday November 12.

The event, which is being organised by Destination Basingstoke team, and for which Gazette Newspapers is the media sponsor, will feature business of all sizes from across north Hampshire.

More than 500 guests are expected to attend the event which many consider to be the highlight of the local business calendar.

Felicity Edwards, managing director of Destination Basingstoke, said: “As always it is fascinating to see the businesses behind the nominations and meet the real people that make these north Hampshire businesses so successful.”

Mrs Edwards said the judging gad been difficult as there had been some very impressive entries this year.

“Tough decisions had to be made amongst many high quality entries received,” said Mrs Edwards.

“We’d like to thank all those that have taken the time to enter the awards this year.

“There can only be three finalists in each category, so for those not selected, please do not let it deter you from entering again next year.”

Tickets for the awards dinner are on sale now.

For more information and to book a place visit inspirebusinessawards.co.uk or call Kathryn Price at Destination Basingstoke on 01256 461167.

New Business of the Year sponsored by Xcite Digital

Bubblegum Balloons

Fleet Mortgages

Chevron Heritage

Employee of the Year sponsored by Hays

Leonard Smith – Be Wiser

Kirsty Whitlock – RCS

Nataschia Schneider – Vitacress

Employer of the Year sponsored by Haines Watts

Southern Communications

Berringer Tame

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Manufacturer of the Year Award sponsored by sponsored by EC Electronics Blatchford

Vectair Systems

R&B Industrial

Family Business of the Year Award sponsored by Berry Bros & Rudd

Fresh and Clean Services Limited

Projected Image

Blind Sensations

Business and the Community Award sponsored by Sentinel

De La Rue

FHC for Hair

Community Matters Partnership

International Business of the Year sponsored by Fluor

Cobalt Telephone Technologies

Clone Media

Vectair Systems

Service Excellence Award sponsored by Asset Advantage

ACC UK

Merecedes Benz – Sandown Group

Hireserve

Innovation Excellence Award sponsored by Santander

Original Software

Blatchford

Dassi Young

Business Person of the Year sponsored by Minuteman Press

Jay Archer – Jay Archer Floral Design

Marc Whitbread – Whitbread’s Window Cleaning

Gordon Stott, The Sun Inn

Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by The Autoplaza

Alan Donegan – Pop Up Business School

Lee Biggins – CV Library

Nick Thompson – DCSL Software

Small Business of the Year sponsored The Breeze

JV Bouncy Castle Hire

Iwaste

Dassi

Business of the Year sponsored by Wilding Butler

Croydex

CV Library

Southern Communications