The Test Valley Business Awards are once again in action and the search has begun for top companies and individual businesspeople across the region.

Following a record-breaking 2019, the awards are back for a 17th year. The competition was officially launched last Thursday, May 27, at Kimbridge Barn, near Romsey, when the area’s MP Caroline Nokes told a small gathering it was time for businesses to get out and help the UK achieve recovery.

She said she recognised that many were still suffering but was confident the rich and diverse make up of local businesses would help them win through.

Mayor of Test Valley Councillor Mark Cooper said: “The previous Test Valley Business Awards was 15 months ago and the changes that have come in that intervening period have affected how we do business in ways we are only just beginning to understand: Zoom, Teams, home-working and the Internet are only part of the story.

Having said that it is a sheer joy that we are able to gather in this great location in person, rather than Zooming. Humans are social animals and most of us are much happier meeting face to face. Internet interaction is certainly here to stay... but getting the balance right between social interaction and electronic interaction is the task of the moment.

The lunchtime launch event marked the start of this year’s entry process which is open to businesses of any size operating across the Test Valley.

The Test Valley Business Awards is run by a steering group of volunteers and has become a well-established platform to champion business excellence.

It is a great way of shining a light particularly on the many new and small businesses in the region, all doing interesting and valuable work, but often out of sight.

New to the Steering Group, Katie Brooks from Bear Behind, offered a big thank you to outgoing team member Sophie Porter who worked so hard to make the Awards what they are today.

Also new is Gold Sponsor LOCALiQ, the business-to-business brand of the Newsquest owned titles the Andover Advertiser. Their publisher Bill Browne has also joined the steering group

To enter click here: https://www.tvbawards.org.uk/enter/