NOMINATIONS are open for this year's Test Valley Business Awards (TVBA).

The awards, which recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation within the borough’s business community, were launched at Kimbridge Barn, near Romsey, on Friday, March 15.

This is the 20th year of the accolades, which were last held in 2021. Sponsors and guests were treated to a talk by Mairead Taylor, sustainability lead for south west and Wales for commercial mid market at NatWest. 

The award categories are: business in the community (sponsored by David Wilson and Barratt Homes); business innovation and technology (sponsored by University of Southampton Science Park); new business (sponsored by Access Care); small business (sponsored by Parker Bullen Solicitors); sustainability (sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council); and young business person of the year (sponsored by Sparsholt College Group). 

Hampshire Chronicle: Test Valley Business Awards

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Awards yet to have a sponsor are: business person of the year, corporate business, employer of the year and rural business of the year. 

Katie Brooks, chairman of the Test Valley Business Awards and director of Bear Behind Ltd, said: “It's truly a pleasure to see so many of you gathered here today. Your presence speaks volumes about the importance of this event within the thriving businesses community we have. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.”

Tiggy Bradshaw, from Access Care, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, said: “We've decided to sponsor the new business category so we can help somebody else start their 30-year journey.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Tiggy Bradshaw

Laura Asbridge, from Sparsholt College Group, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the young people of the future in businesses and addressing the skills gap.”

Karen Clarkson, from Parker Bullen Solicitors, said: “It was a bit of a no brainer for us to be a sponsor of the small business award. We have offices in Andover, Romsey, Salisbury and Witney, so we cover quite a good area of the Test Valley. As a firm we are really keen to be supporting local initiatives, local communities and local businesses. So being a sponsor was a no-brainer.” 

This year’s awards promise to be the most remarkable yet as organisers are excited to announce that for the first time, anyone will be able to nominate a business or individual, making this inclusive to all.

To get involved, follow the awards on social media at linkedin.com/in/tvbawards or search Test Valley Business Awards on Facebook or visit tvbawards.org.uk.