THE deadline for entries for this year’s Inspire Business Awards is looming fast.

Business across north Hampshire have until Friday to enter INSPIRE15.

The prestigious annual awards, which are open to business from Andover in the west to Aldershot in the east, are organised by Destination Basingstoke and are the largest in north Hampshire, with 13 categories up for grabs.

Among them are two new categories – Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Berry Bros & Rudd and the Manufacturing Business of the Year Award.

This is sponsored by contract manufacturer EC Electronics, which last year won Inspire’s top award, Business of the Year.

EC Electronics group managing director Phil Simmonds, said: “We’re looking for a business that can deliver highly competitive products, with a good supply chain and strategy in place and a clear direction for the future.”

His advice to businesses thinking of entering this and the other categories is simple. He said: “Just have a go – it’s a good process and an excellent awards programme.”

Commenting on winning last year’s top accolade, he said: “Winning Business of the Year demonstrated a level of professionalism in business and raised our profile – there is no doubt about that.

“We use it nationally and internationally, so it’s definitely been a benefit to us and we are very proud of it.”

Other awards include Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by The Autoplaza, Employer of the Year sponsored by chartered accountants Haines Watts and Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by recruitment firm Hays.

Kathryn Price, who is marketing and events manager at Destination Basingstoke, is keen to encourage businesses who may be wavering about entering the awards.

She said: “If you are thinking of entering Inspire, but feel unsure about shouting about your own successes, you have nothing to lose, enter now.

“You know your business best, and you are the best person to write an entry.

“There are a great number of reasons to enter, including the free marketing, being able to promote your newly obtained award winning status, reflecting on your own successes, staff morale, third party endorsement and of course a great night out.

“However don’t just take my word for it. Previous winners are the best ambassadors for the Inspire Business Awards, with many going on to achieve great things.

“There is a film featuring some of their comments available on the Inspire Business Awards website if you need any more persuading.”

For the second year running, the glitzy awards night is set to take place at Highfield Park, in Heckfield, near Hook, on Thursday November 12.

To find out more and to enter the awards visit inspirebusinessawards.co.uk.