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 Social Enterprise award, sponsored by one of the largest independent firms of chartered accountants in Southampton, HWB, will be presented to the organisation that has made the most significant difference to its target beneficiaries.

Director Michaela Johns said: “HWB is a regional firm with many valued clients in the Winchester area so it was an easy decision to support the Winchester Business Excellence Awards. 

“These prestigious awards rightly recognise the successes of local organisations and having attended the event last year we wanted to show our support by sponsoring the Social Enterprise Award this year. 

“The Social Enterprise Award we believe gives not-for-profit organisations the much needed exposure to not only tell their stories to a wider audience but to shout about the impact that they are having on our local community.”

"We work hard to deliver more – to be different from other accountants."

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

The other categories are:

  • Young Business Person Award;
  • Service Excellence Award;
  • Business Leader Award;
  • SME/Independent Business Award;
  • New Business Award;
  • Digital Innovation Award;
  • Eco-business Award;
  • Large Business 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 given 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 is May 6.