JUDGES are now looking for the best businesses in the district for this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards (WBEA), organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID.

This year’s Business Leader title, sponsored by Paris Smith, will be presented to a person who has elevated their business and supported the local community.

Paris Smith is one of the largest regional law firms in central southern England, based in Southampton and Winchester, with 43 partners and over 200 staff.

Managing partner Peter Taylor said: “There are many exciting and dynamic businesses delivering great products and services based within the perimeter of Winchester City Council.

“In our experience of working with and for a multitude of businesses across the region over the past 200 years, the truly outstanding businesses have a leader who knows and can communicate the organisation’s purpose and vision and inspires the staff within the organisation to be proud in both sharing and delivering that purpose and vision.

“Above all, great leaders put their team first. Paris Smith is delighted to sponsor the category for business leader of the year in the Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2019.”

Nominations by either the businesses themselves or someone else, can now be made.

The other categories are:

Young Business Person Award;

Social Enterprise Award;

Large Business Award;

SME/Independent Business Award;

New Business Award;

Digital Innovation Award;

Eco-business Award;

Service Excellence Award;

The Millennium Egg will continue to be awarded by the city council to the organisation or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the area.

The Business of the Year Award will be nominated to the overall winner chosen by the judges from all of the category winners.

A culminating ceremony will be held to announce the winners, taking place on Thursday, June 6 at the University of Winchester.

The awards have long been recognised as a key date, and WBEA finalists will receive two tickets to the awards ceremony and dinner.

Once received, nominations will be considered by the judging panel and may be subject to a ‘Mystery Shopper’ visit and a Natwest health check.

The winners of each category will receive £250 of advertising in the Hampshire Chronicle or on Hampshirechronicle.co.uk.

To nominate, enter online at winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk.

Alternatively, send a 100-250 word email to wbeawards@localiq.co.uk, including the category, business name, address, website, contact name and telephone number.

Closing date for nominations: May 6.