JUDGES, sponsors, would-be winners and past finalists gathered at Hurds Hill, near Langport, for the official launch of the Somerset Business Awards 2023.

The awards are the county’s biggest and most prestigious annual business accolades and are organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the very best of the county’s businesses.

They are free to enter and businesses do not need to be a member of the chamber to take part.

Once again, leading accountancy firm Albert Goodman is the main sponsor, with the awards culminating in a gala final on March 24.

Michael Cahill, a partner at Albert Goodman, said: “The Somerset Business Awards are a brilliant opportunity to showcase everything that is fantastic about your business.

“Over our many years as main sponsor, we’ve seen some excellent businesses enter the awards and then go on to even greater things.

"Entering the awards is a great chance to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business.”

This year there is a new award – Apprentice of the Year – and new criteria for the hotly-contested Small, Medium and Large Business of the Year Awards.

Businesses have until November 25 to submit their entries via the Somerset Business Awards website at www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk. Full details of the ‘how to enter’ online workshop can be found on Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.somerset-chamber.co.uk/.

Emma Rawlings, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am grateful for the sponsorship of so many of Somerset’s leading businesses who, like me, are keen to celebrate Somerset’s incredible business community, especially when so many are working exceptionally hard to tackle today’s challenging business conditions.”

Sponsors for the 2023 awards are Albert Goodman, Barclays UK, Brook Financial, Clarke Willmott, Elite Staffing Solutions, Enterprise South West, Global, Gravity, Higos Insurance Ltd, Hinkley Point C, Porter Dodson, Somerset County Gazette Series, SRD Technology UK, Stephens Scown, Teapot Creative and Weston College.