Judging is now under way after more than the 100 companies from across the county entered the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023, which as Chamber Patron and the local College for Maidstone and Medway, MidKent College is proud to support.
The judging panel, chaired by Carol Barron, Honorary President at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, will review the entries and arrive at a shortlist of three companies for each of the 10 categories, for the awards.
Chris Hare, Executive Director at the College said "Our county is home to some incredible businesses who thrive on innovation and excellence in the products and services that they provide. This year we've seen some superb entries, and as one of the region's most influential skills providers we're so pleased to see lots of great evidence in the award submissions that demonstrates how businesses are embracing staff development to help them thrive."
Jo James, OBE, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: “These awards and their categories reflect the priorities of the county’s business community, celebrating their efforts in terms of innovation, customer service, sustainability, decarbonisation, construction and international trade.
“We also want to celebrate the importance of family businesses to Kent’s economy, as well as shine a spotlight on our entrepreneurs and those companies showing the most promise of growth.”
With entries closed, and 104 companies putting themselves forward for an award, judging can get under way.
Carol Barron said: “For the judges the hard work starts now. Whittling down the entries into the shortlisted finalists is never easy as there’s always a high quality of submissions.
“With 104 individual entries to judge, it clearly shows the aspiration there is among companies across Kent and Medway to be winners, and that they hold the awards in such high regard.”
The shortlisted finalists will discover who the winners are at the gala dinner on 23 November at Westenhanger Castle, near Hythe.
More than 240 people, including senior representatives from the sponsors, which includeAir IT, Ashford Outlet Centre - a McArthur Glen company, Azets, BAE Systems, Canterbury Christ Church University, jobmatcha, Stagecoach, NFU Mutual - Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, and the University of Greenwich, are expected to attend.
The gala dinner is being sponsored by Tunbridge Wells- based Creaseys Accountants. For more information and to book tickets for the event should visit: www.kentchamberawards.co.uk
