Hampshire's most prestigious and wide-ranging business competition will see enterprises of every size, shape and sector vie with each other for a clutch of awards, from Innovation of the Year to a specially-chosen Lifetime Achievement Award.

The winners, runners-up and highly commended entrants will be announced at an awards extravaganza at Portsmouth's Guildhall in January, which last year saw more than 550 guests attend.

Last year's winner of the Small Business of the Year category told BusinessWeek he was struck by the camaraderie between firms at the event.

David Jones, managing director of Southsea-based Triton Scuba, said: 'It was quite exciting, a good meal, well presented, and in the end we came out with Small Business of the Year.

'We didn't expect it, and we're very proud and I think we've used it to our advantage.

'All the businesses supported each other. Although no-one knew who we were, from all around the room came this spontaneous applause.

'We didn't see any tables saying, "oh, I hope such-and-such doesn't win". It was genuine applause and genuine support, which was great. I think if we hadn't won I would still have been happy.'

But no business fared as well as Apollo Fire Detectors, the 480-strong firm from Havant.

It picked up two categories – Exporter of the Year and Business of the Year.

Business operations director Chris Elkins said the company intended to apply again this year in the same categories.

He said: 'It was a real boost for our employees. It's good to be recognised for your work, because its all about the people.

'We really did enjoy ourselves. And having found we won, our table was in pretty hearty spirits.'


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Achiever of the year

Community Contribution

Company of the year

Exporter of the year

Innovation of the year

Personality of the year

Small Business

Team of the year

Forms should be sent to Adam Kula, Business Desk, The News Centre, Hilsea, Portsmouth, PO2 9SX. Applications forms must be returned by November 29.