Sponsors and judges of this year’s Dorset Business Awards have chosen the finalists for the county’s most highly regarded business awards programme. 

More than 30 judges have taken the time over the last month to analyse all award entries in detail and score them based on each specific award criteria, before compiling a list of 36 businesses that stood out from the crowd. 

The ‘Meet the Finalists’ drinks reception sponsored by PKF Francis Clark will be held on Monday, November 6 at The Italian Villa in Poole, and will bring together finalists and award sponsors to celebrate business achievement in Dorset. 

The winners of each award will then be announced at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday, November 23.

Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, and backed by Wave 105, the awards evening will begin with a drinks reception sponsored by Seventa Events.

This is followed by an exquisite three-course dinner before the awards presentation begins. Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital will be the entertainment sponsor for the evening, and Brighter Productions has come on board for the third year running as production sponsor of the awards.

Stuart Dixon, head of marketing and communications and organiser of the awards from Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: ‘‘With a diverse range of high calibre companies with BH or DT postcodes entering, 2017 has been a great year so far for the Dorset Business Awards.

"The record number of entries which we’ve received highlights how significant and important the awards remain to be for the business community as a whole.

‘‘We always strive to build on what was achieved in previous years and aim each year for the awards to be better than the last.

"The Dorset Business Awards provide a great opportunity to recognise business excellence, to inspire others and to gain public acknowledgement for the work achieved by firms and their employees.

"We thank everyone that has taken the time to enter the awards and look forward to celebrating Dorset’s business achievement at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony in November, good luck to all concerned."

The 2017 finalists are:

Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pure Networking 
•    Phil Whitehurst – Actisense, Poole
•    Rosie Wallace – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
•    Warren Munson – Inspire Professional Services, Poole

Brand of the Year Award, sponsored by RT Brand Communications
•    Muc-off, Poole
•    Organix, Bournemouth
•    The Pig on the Beach, Studland

Creative and Digital Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
•    Cold Banana Studio, Bournemouth 
•    Fireworx, Bournemouth
•    Strange, Bournemouth

UK Health Insurance Investing in Dorset Award
•    A-One Insurance Group, Ringwood
•    Signature Catering Group Limited, Ringwood
•    Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot

Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award 
•    Actisense, Poole
•    BHLive, Bournemouth
•    Testlink, Poole

PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award
•    Harts of Stur, Sturminster Newton
•    Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
•    Superior, Wimborne

Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships Award, sponsored by Sunseeker International 
•    Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester
•    Cobham plc, Wimborne
•    Redweb, Bournemouth 

Outstanding Customer Service Award, sponsored by Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa and Luxurycare
•    Anytech Solutions, Poole
•    Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton, Bournemouth
•    Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot

Retail and Leisure Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
•    Delfino Lounge, Poole
•    Forum Jewellers, Broadstone
•    The MacGuffin Project, Bournemouth 

Team of the Year Award, sponsored by TeamJobs 
•    Greenwood Campbell, Bournemouth 
•    Inspire Professional Services , Poole
•    Siemens, Poole

Young Chamber Award, sponsored by Blue Sky Financial Planning
•    Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester
•    Biotrack Ltd, Wareham
•    LoveLove Films, Bournemouth

UK Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by REID Steel
•    Actisense, Poole
•    Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited (AGI), Poole
•    Trimetals Limited, Blandford Forum