The former CEO of Waitrose and Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, The RT Hon the Lord Price CVO will be presenting 7 awards at the ceremony for the Winchester Business Excellence Awards Friday, June 1.

Now in its 16th year, the Winchester Business Excellence Awards aim to provide a platform for companies to celebrate excellence across Winchester.

Lord Price will join guests including Winchester MP, Steve Brine -Chair of the Awards, Kit Finney of JCF Financial and Caroline Coleman, Managing Director of Simplyhealth, sponsor of the 'Business of the Year' category.

Before presenting the awards, Lord Price will entertain guests with anecdotes of his life growing up in Cheshire, his time in retail and as former Government Minister of State for Trade.

Lord Price said, “I am thrilled to attend the ceremony and present the awards to the winners. Local awards schemes are vital in championing excellence and I am looking forward to learning more about business in Winchester”.

Joint organiser and sponsor of the Independent Business of the Year Award, Catherine Turness, Executive Director of Winchester BID said: “It is wonderful that Lord Price is able to join us for a second time in the City. We were so grateful for his presence at an event the BID held last October promoting businesses who trade internationally. He provided great insight and shared his views on the state of the economy and we look forward to hearing more of his thoughts on the evening”.

Over the next six weeks judges will be compiling a shortlist of businesses for each category, which will be revealed mid-April.

All shortlisted businesses will receive two free tickets to the black-tie ceremony on Friday, June 1.