Judging is now under way after more than 100 companies from across the county entered the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023.
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.
This year, the awards, have welcomed a new category, ‘Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent’, with the recipient selected by a panel from Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber.
Derek Murphy, cabinet member for economic development of Kent County Council, a partner in the awards, said: “The winner’s name is a closely guarded secret. All I can say is that they are well-known across the county, have added to the economy of Kent by creating jobs and stimulating the supply chain, and have given back to the community. I’m looking forward to announcing the first recipient of this award at the gala dinner.”
Jo James OBE, chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, added: “These awards are designed to 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 are the winners at the gala dinner on 23 November at Westenhanger Castle, near Hythe, sponsored by Tunbridge Wells-based Creaseys Accountants.
More than 240 people, including senior representatives from the sponsors, which include Air IT, Ashford Outlet Centre – a McArthur Glen company, Azets, BAE Systems, Canterbury Christ Church University, jobmatcha, MidKent College, Stagecoach, NFU Mutual – Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, and the University of Greenwich, are expected to attend.
