Recap all the updates from the Business Excellence Awards 2021 in Portsmouth

Pictured is: Professor Jeremy Howells, executive dean of faculty of business and law at the University of Portsmouth, and editor of The News Mark Waldron. Picture: Keith Woodland (080721-6)

Due to the pandemic, the event was postponed until July 8 instead of its usual February slot.

But finally the night was upon us and there was much excitement at Portsmouth Guildhall.

The ceremony took place this evening and honours were handed out across 15 different categories.

Pictured is: Billy & Steve Barrett from Diamond Cut Refinishing. Picture: Keith Woodland (080721-4)

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The awards ranged from apprentices up to lifetime achievements, from start up businesses to large.

Tickets were strictly limited, due to Covid restrictions, but if you were unable to attend the event, you can follow all the updates in our recap blog from throughout tonight.

We brought you all the latest updates as well as photos during the event.

There was also a livestream taking place on our Facebook page from 9pm, in collaboration with Giant Leap. Make sure to tune in!

Recap all the updates in our blog below.

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Latest updates from the Business Excellence Awards 2021

Key Events

The awards are taking place tonight
Event is being held at Portsmouth Guildhall
Honours will be handed out over 15 categories

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 19:45 BST

Hello and welcome!

The Business Excellence Awards is slightly different in 2021, due to the on-going Covid pandemic and the associated restrictions.

So if you are not able to attend, you can follow along throughout the evening in our live blog!

Check back for all the latest updates!

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 19:47 BST

Who is on the shortlist?

Back in June, we announced the shortlist for the Business Excellent Awards 2021.

Split over 15 different categories, from apprentices up to lifetime achievements, from start up businesses to large.

More than 150 applications were received and these were then whittled down to the shortlist by our expert judges.

Find out all of the businesses on the shortlist by clicking this link here.

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 19:50 BST

Don’t forget our special 16-page shortlist e-mag

Back when we announced the shortlist, The News also released a special e-mag to go along with it.

To get you in the spirts before the winners are announced, you can read the 16 page supplement that appeared in The News by clicking this link here.

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 20:03 BST

First pictures from inside the Guildhall

The guests have arrived and the Business Excellence Awards 2021 are underway - first up there is a meal for the attendees, before the awards ceremony begins at around 9.15pm.

Here are some of our first images of guests inside the Guildhall tonight!

Guests at the Business Excellence awards. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 20:08 BST

Anjana Gadgil is tonight’s host for the Business Awards!

The BBC presenter and Portsmouth High School alumna is the presenter for tonight’s Business Excellent Awards.

The ceremony will get underway in under 10 minutes now - it is due to start at 9.15pm!

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 21:18 BST

Slight delay on the start of our livestream

Apologies folks, we have had a bit of technical trouble with our livestream - but it should be starting any moment!

I will update you here in our live blog here when it is starting - and provide a link!

Thu, 08 Jul, 2021, 21:31 BST

And we are live (stream) !

The long promised livestream is up and running on our Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/portsmouthnews/ - click here to watch along from home!