FORMER Dragons’ Den panellist Hilary Devey is on the hunt for the hottest crop of young entrepreneurs in Hampshire.

Ms Devey heads a celebrity judging panel responsible for selecting winners of the Pittman Training Southampton Super Achievers 2015 awards – and you have the chance to impress her.

The business magnate is the founder of freight distribution company Pall Ex and also served as a panellist on The Intern.

Pitman is calling out for nominations for the Southampton leg of the national online competition which champions the most inspiring young people working within businesses in their communities.

The four categories include Young Achiever of the Year, Working Mum of the Year, Business New-comer of the Year, PA of the Year and Pitman Training Centre’s Student of the Year.

Entries must be submitted at pitmansuperachievers.com by Monday, January 5, 2015.

Nominees will be announced online on January, 12, before the panel announce their decision in February.

Young Achievers of the Year must be under 30, while Business Newcomers of the Year must have started training within the past 12 months.

New loans scheme SMALL and medium businesses in the Solent area can benefit from low interest loans thanks to a new scheme.

Loans will be available from 2.5 per cent interest in a partnership between Eastleigh Borough Council, Local First CIC and Future Solent.

They are for investing in new technologies and services but also to help create jobs.

Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “We are taking a leading role in this to help establish Hampshire Com-munity Bank because we are committed to helping businesses grow.”

For information call Richard Hall, Future Solent manager, on 0777 0605664 or email Richard@future solent.co.uk.