List comprises 40 shortlisted organisations in 10 award categories to be chosen as winners at the awards ceremony being held at Thornton Manor on September 22

Wirral Chamber of Commerce has revealed the finalists in the Wirral Business Awards 2017.

The list comprises 40 shortlisted organisations in 10 award categories to be chosen as winners at the awards ceremony being held at Thornton Manor on September 22.

Organised by the chamber, and now in its 11th year, the event is supported by headline sponsors Progress to Excellence Group and Russell Taylor Group.
A four-strong judging panel decided which entries made it through to the final in each category.

The panel included Chris Fry of KPMG, Ben Miller from DLA Piper, Alan Evans from Wirral Council, and Paula Basnett, chief executive of the chamber.

Ms Basnett said: “We are very proud to organise this annual event on behalf of our business community.

“This year we received record numbers of entries and the quality excelled which made the judging extremely difficult.

“However, I am confident that the chosen finalists will be great ambassadors in representing the best of Wirral’s businesses.”

The complete shortlist:

Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Stiebel Eltron UK
Hygienic Innovations
Roberts Snack Shack
Sure Solutions
Three Dimensional Training

Business of the Year (under 11 employees) sponsored by Pacific Sheds
Blackberry Grove
Gud Design
Red Apple Education
Vigo IT Solutions

Business of the Year (11-49 employees) sponsored by McEwan Wallace
hi-impact consultancy
Hoist UK
Horner Downey
Plus Point

Business of the Year (50+ employees) sponsored by NW Systems Group
Capital Reinforcing
CPL Training Group
Russell Taylor Group
Typhoo Tea

Business Person of the Year sponsored by Smylie Ltd
AF Global – Keith Taylor
Joanne Finnerty Recruitment – Joanne Finnerty
Plus Point – Mark Sweeney
Russell Taylor Group – Ben Russell

Rising Star sponsored by Young Chamber
The Jackson Canter Group – Katherine Spaughton
Joanne Finnerty Recruitment – Claire Statham
Passport Language Solutions – Jennifer Foulds
Vigo IT Solutions – Tom Barbat

International Trade Award sponsored by Peel Group
AEV
Paragon Scientific
Regal Wholesale
Tranmere Rovers FC

Sustainability Award sponsored by Unilever
B&M Waste Services
Brooklet Farm & Livery
Floral Pavilion
Stiebel Eltron UK

People Development sponsored by B&M Waste Services
AF Global
Capital Reinforcing
Cirrus Purchasing Ltd
Unilever

Customer Service sponsored by The Contact Company – (winner to be decided by Public Vote)
Auger
Inteb Managed Services
LBW Accountants
The Light Cinema

Outstanding Business of the Year sponsored by Wirral Council
The judges will select one winner from all entries received and the winner will be revealed on the night.

It is expected that more than 500 business people will attend the Gala Dinner at Thornton Manor in September.