The News announces the date of its 20th Business Excellence Awards

In time-honoured tradition, The News is delighted to announce that it will be holding its 20th annual Business Excellence Awards on May 21.

The event, which shines a light on the good work of businesses from all sectors in the Portsmouth area, will return thanks to the support from headline sponsors the University of Portsmouth.

The University of Portsmouth has supported the awards as the Start-Up and Small Business of the Year category sponsors for a number of years and has worked closely with The News and other category sponsors to encourage a number of high quality entries from the region’s businesses.

This year, it is honoured to be taking the top spot of prestigious headline sponsor.

Pat Smith, small business manager at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘We are thrilled to be the headline sponsors for 2021. This is a fantastic opportunity for the University of Portsmouth to show our support and commitment to the regional business community.’

Pat said the awards were a perfect fit as the University of Portsmouth prides itself in offering first-class education but also as an organisation that works with businesses of all sizes regionally, nationally and globally.

As a civic university, the university has a mission to create, share and apply knowledge to make a difference to individuals and society.

With the date of the awards now set, categories will be announced in the new year, with entries opening.

SEE ALSO: 28 of the best pictures from The News Business Excellence Awards 2020

Then a panel of expert judges will work their way through the hundreds of applications, visiting their favourites, before deciding on the winners, which will be announced at an awards gala dinner.

Editor of The News Mark Waldron said he was delighted to see the awards move forward.

He said: ‘In what has undoubtedly been one of the toughest years for business, we are determined to celebrate the successes of those who have managed to not only survive, but thrive.

‘The events industry has been one of the hardest hit, but through the sheer determination and hard work of my team, we are delighted to have this date booked in.

‘These awards are one of the highlights of my working year, and to see them progress and move a step closer to reality gives us all something to look forward to in 2021.’

More details will be released in January.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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