ORGANISERS of the Dorset Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards 2014 will open nominations on Monday.

The awards were launched at a glitzy ceremony last night at Parley Manor, and the search for the brightest and best businesses in the county will begin at the start of the week.

Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), this is also the 20th anniversary of the awards with the finals held on November 27 at the Bournemouth International Centre.

Ian Girling, chief executive of DCCI, said: “Since its inception 20 years ago, the Dorset Business Awards has become established as a hallmark of success and enterprise as well as an important celebration of the region’s skills, achievements and innovations in business.

“These awards are the only programme of its kind in the county, assessing the talent of blue chip companies alongside SMEs, regardless of size or sector, and we encourage all firms to give entering a go and help celebrate 20 years of the Dorset Business Awards.”

This year’s awards will see the creation of three new categories: The Business Growth Award, sponsored by Advanced Exchequer, the Dorset Export Award, sponsored by Atlas Elektronik UK, and the Excellence in Innovation Award, sponsored by DCCI and Liz Lean PR.

The other categories are the Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P Morgan, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University, Hays Employee of the Year Award, the Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award, Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award, the Princecroft Willis Family Business Award and the Retail Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

The awards are free to enter and entrants can submit an entry at dorsetbusinessawards.

co.uk, sponsored by RT Brand Communications, or print off an entry form and submit a paper-based entry by from Monday until Friday, September 12. For more details visit dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.