Act fast as deadline looms for Express and Echo business awards

THERE is just one week left for companies to submit their entries in the 2013 Express & Echo Business Awards.

For the third year running, the awards are celebrating the success of companies and entrepreneurs in Exeter and the Heart of Devon.

The final deadline for entries is Thursday, March 28. The shortlist will then be announced on Friday, April 5.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is sponsored by Exeter College. It is open to entrants under the age of 30 and in its first two years the award has been won by Matthew Conridge, founder of online retailer Mamka, and Chris Rundle of GK Signs.

Established in 1970, Exeter College now welcomes more than 4,600 full-time students, 5,300 part-time adult learners and more than 550 workplace learning students, plus 800 apprentices with local and regional employers. It offers a choice of 40 A Levels, the International Baccalaureate, a wide range of vocational and industry-led courses, as well as university level courses.

The college has continued with an ambitious property strategy over the last six years, investing more than £55m in facilities including a new theatre, photography hub and gallery space, music and performance facility, fitness centre and gym, a world class technology centre, dedicated foundation accommodation, industry-standard bricklaying and construction workshops, hair and beauty salons, industrial training kitchen and commercial fine dining restaurant.

Last year the college was judged outstanding across all areas by Ofsted and received the Times Education Supplement's Outstanding FE Provider and Outstanding Leadership in Learning and Skills awards.

Assistant principal Iain Hatt said: "The college is proud of its local community and business links, with many partnerships with employer, community and voluntary groups, and we are delighted to be sponsoring the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award as part of the Express & Echo's celebration of employer and employee achievement in 2012."

The Best Creative Business award is sponsored by Business Solutions – the integrated business and employer facing team of Exeter College.

Already working with a wide range of local employers, including law firm Everys, Business Solutions provides flexible training, advice and development solutions, incorporating a dedicated training suite in the heart of Exeter.

From personal development to corporate development, mandatory training to bespoke, apprenticeships to foundation degrees and CPD programmes, the team are experts in delivering flexible training across a variety of industry sectors.

How to enter:

SHOWCASING your success story in the 2013 Express & Echo Business Awards is easy.

Simply choose one or more of the following 12 categories:

Corporate Social Responsibility

Employer of the Year

Best Creative Business

ExIST Innovation Award

Business of the Year

Small Business of the Year

Excellence in Customer Service

Family Business of the Year

Environmental Award

Entrepreneur of the Year

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Best Tourism/Hospitality Business.

Then tell us all about your achievements by filling in the relevant entry questionnaire at www.exeterbusinessawards.co.uk

Entrants are also encouraged to upload a short video about themselves, though this is optional.

The awards are open to all businesses in Exeter and the Heart of Devon.

The final deadline for entries is Thursday, March 28.

The competition will culminate in a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the University of Exeter on Friday, April 26, when a special Lifetime Achievement award will also be presented.

Sponsors of the 2013 Express & Echo Business Awards, run in partnership with Eclipse Internet, include ATASS Respect, Exeter College, Business Solutions, David Wilson Homes, Fidelius Insurance Services, First Great Western, Ivor Doble, Kitsons Solicitors and Pavey Group.

More information about this year's awards – including a step-by-step video guide to entering – can be found at www.exeterbusinessawards.co.uk

Join the conversation in the build-up to the big night by following @exebizawards on Twitter. For advertising and sponsorship opportunities, contact Justin Hall on 01392 207141 or email jhall@swmg.co.uk