The High Sheriff's Awards for Enterprise 2015/16

Are you one of the best businesses in Cheshire? Nominations are now open for the High Sheriff's Awards for Enterprise, Cheshire's most prestigious business awards. The Office of the High Sheriff is a royal post, which dates back to Saxon times. The current High Sheriff of Cheshire, Bill Holroyd (pictured right), said: 'As High Sheriff of Cheshire for 2015/16 I am delighted to support these valuable awards and hope they will both give encouragement to and act as a showcase for many of the fantastic businesses and business people that we have across Cheshire, Warrington and Halton'.

In their 10th Anniversary year, the Awards offer thousands of pounds worth of prizes, as well as access to a network of support across Cheshire and a promotional opportunity for local businesses.

The winners will be announced at a presentation evening on 8 March 2016 in the stunning surroundings of Chester Racecourse. Guests will include business leaders, judges and the finalists. This year's guest speaker will be John Roberts, founding Director of AO World Plc and one of the leading business and entrepreneurial figures in the UK.

* The winner of the High Sheriff's Award for Enterprise, sponsored by Cheshire and Warrington LEP, O2 and ESL Fuels, will receive a free place for one of its appropriately qualified managers on the award-winning MBA programme at the University of Chester worth £10,000.

* Winners of the High Sheriff's Award for Responsible Business Practice, sponsored by Timpson, the Mornflake Oats Award for Innovation, the Roberts Bakery Family Business Award of Excellence and the new Award for Training, Development and Opportunity sponsored by Cheshire East Council and Click Consult will win £3,000 each.

* The winner of the Cheshire Business Exporter of the Year, supported by the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and Oliver Valves, will win a package of support to help research and develop overseas trade in one new market.

* The winner of the Cheshire Business Leaders (CBL) Award for Outstanding Cheshire and Warrington Business Leader will receive £500. The winner of the Cheshire Business Leaders Award for the Cheshire and Warrington Young Entrepreneur will receive £500 worth of prize money to invest in their business plus free mentoring and business support to the value of £500 from CBL members.

The Awards were introduced in 2006 by the then High Sheriff of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, to recognise outstanding achievement by enterprises in Cheshire. The Awards are now endorsed and developed by each High Sheriff in office.

Professor Phil Harris, Executive Director of the University of Chester's Business Research Institute, said: 'Cheshire has a tremendous range of businesses and these Awards celebrate the wide breadth and diversity of some wonderful companies, people and businesses that make the regional economy tick'.

'We look forward to welcoming the winner of the MBA programme and offering them the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of studying at the University of Chester'.

Thanks to significant contributions from sponsors including the University of Chester, Cheshire and Warrington LEP, O2, ESL Fuels, Timpson, Mornflake, Roberts Bakery, Cheshire East Council, Click Consult, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Oliver Valves, Cheshire Business Leaders, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council, Halton Borough Council, Ellis & Co, Chester Racecourse, Marketing Cheshire, Trinity Mirror Cheshire, Chester Business Club, Expert Logistics, Airbus, Urenco, Knights, DTM Legal, and Barclays, the Awards represent one of the highest values of any competition of its kind in the county.

For more information visit www.chester.ac.uk/highsheriff-enterprise and download an entry form.

The closing date for entries is Saturday, 10 October, 2015.

Further information can be obtained from Sally Williamson, Business Research Institute, sally.williamson@chester.ac.uk or telephone 01244 512888.