THE finalists for the 2017 Dorset Echo Industry Awards have been announced. 

The awards bring together the best of businesses in the DT postcode sector, recognising their achievements.

Judging this year’s awards were Dorset Echo editor Diarmuid MacDonagh, Andrew Prowse, Steve Davies, and Gill Donnell.

Gill was introduced to the judging panel this year following the introduction of the Best Woman in Business award which is sponsored by Permanent Makeup by Claire Louise.

Gill is a founder of www.successfulwomen.training and is an experienced leader, motivational speaker and personal development coach, who has spent much of her working life promoting the role of women in the workplace and supporting individuals to achieve their full potential.

Gill said "I was very pleased to be involved in the judging of the Industry Awards, and in particular the Best Women in Business Award.

"I'm a huge supporter of women in business, and think it's really important to recognise their achievements. 

"The standard of entries was very high, and it was particularly difficult to pick three finalists, but they are hugely deserving of reaching that position.

"It was great to see so many amazing businesses across the county being recognised by the community."

This year's event is kindly sponsored by Skyline, Weymouth College, HIX and Langham Wines, and there 11 awards up for grabs this year. 

Editor Diarmuid MacDonagh said: "These awards celebrate and showcase the best of business in this area. We believe it is important to highlight the many companies, across myriad sectors, which make such a huge contribution to our economy.

"We were delighted to receive an exceptionally high level of nominations this year which is a clear reflection of the quality of the businesses in our circulation area."

The 2017 finalists, in alphabetical order, are: 

Best Overall Retailer – Sponsored by Fleetline Taxi

Bathroom Inspirations - bathroominspirationsdorchester.com
Dorset Antique Clocks – dorsetantiqueclocks.co.uk
Pet Experience – thepetexperience.co.uk

Best Customer Service Provider – Sponsored by Dorset Echo

Boutique at No 6 - boutiqueatno6.co.uk
Clover Property – cloverproperty.net
St Judes Care – stjudescare.co.uk

Best Social Media Marketing – Sponsored by Sherrens

Emma Mumford – excoupuk.com
The Dorset Burger Company – thedorsetburgercompany.co.uk
We Are Weymouth – weareweymouth.co.uk

Best Business Development or Innovative Idea – Sponsored by WPCC

MW Legal Services – Wills.org.uk
Osprey Leisure Centre - ospreyleisure.co.uk
Sadie Osborne - sadie-osborne.squarespace.com

Best New Business – Sponsored by Woods Furniture

Dorset Antique Clocks – dorsetantiqueclocks.co.uk
Rachel Scott - rachelscottsinginglessons.co.uk
Sophie Linwood – sophierosesoftfurnishings.com

Best Product or Service – Sponsored by Atlas Elektronik UK

Better Care At Home – bettercare@home.co.uk
New Body Fitness Weymouth – new-body.co.uk
Netherfield Cattery and Pet Boarding –.netherfieldcattery.co.uk

Best Community Engagement – Sponsored by Active Mobility

AsOne Theatre Company – as-onetheatre.co.uk
Cafe On The Green - Dinham Walk, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3WU
Weymouth Pavilion - weymouthpavilion.com

Best Apprenticeship Employer – Sponsored by Weymouth College

Guy Crabb - guycrabb.co.uk
Osprey Leisure Centre - ospreyleisure.co.uk
Sunny Days Nurseries - sunnydays.co.uk

Best Woman In Business – Sponsored by Permanent Makeup by Claire Louise

Emma Mumford – excoupuk.com
Holly Everden - houseofhealthandbeauty.co.uk
Nicky Cooksley - rely.company

Best Dining Provider – Sponsored by Brewery Square Dorchester

Billy Winters – Ferry Bridge Boatyard, Portland Rd, Weymouth DT4 9YU
Monkeys Fist - 2 Hope St, Weymouth DT4 8TR
The Dorset Burger Company – thedorsetburgercompany.co.uk

Best Contribution to Local Tourism – Sponsored by Pengillys

Abbotsbury Tourism - abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Fayre In The Square – Weymouth Rotary
Quayside Music festival @ Rendezvous - rendezvousweymouth.co.uk

All finalists and sponsors will be invited to join the Dorset Echo at the Industry Awards' ceremony at Weymouth College on June 16. 

The winners of each category will each receive £100, a trophy, a bottle of Langham’s sparkling wine, and will be featured in the category winners' coverage in the Dorset Echo and online at dorsetecho.co.uk