THE waiting is over!

Today we reveal the firms shortlisted as finalists in the prestigious Examiner Business Awards.

Now the countdown begins to the glittering awards evening next month, when representatives of the nominated companies will join leading figures from the town’s business community at the Galpharm Stadium to reveal the winners.

A high-powered panel of judges deliberated long and hard to draw up the final list from scores of hopefuls who have submitted their entries over the past few weeks.

The judging panel, comprised Jeremy Garside, senior partner with law firm and award sponsor Chadwick Lawrence; Prof John Thompson, professor of entrepreneurship at Huddersfield University’s Business School; Ken Gillespie, director of regeneration at Kirklees Council; Andrew Palmer, assistant regional director for the CBI in Yorkshire; and Examiner business correspondent Henryk Zientek.

Awards will be presented in these 11 categories:

New Business of the Year; Small/Medium Enterprise (SME) of the Year; Business of the Year; Community Award; International Business/Trader of the Year; Regeneration Award; Employer of the Year; Creative Enterprise Award; Green Award; Young Business Person of the Year; and Business Person of the Year.

The finalists are drawn from a wide range of sectors, including construction, computer technology, design and marketing, manufacturing, catering, leisure and retailing.

More than 60 entries were received – with past winners bidding to repeat their success alongside organisations making their debut in the area’s premier business awards.

Previous winners of awards in 2006 and 2007 are among those submitting entries this year – underlining the appeal of the competition and the value companies place on taking part.

There are no shortlists for the categories of Business of the Year and Business Person of the Year.

The judges have chosen a winner in each case and they will be revealed at the awards night.

The judges were impressed with the number of entries, the high standard of submissions and the range of achievements of companies across the town.

A spokeswoman for the event organisers said: “The judging session went very well and we have a very exciting list of nominees and winners.

“We are looking forward to a tremendous event celebrating the cream of the crop from Huddersfield’s thriving business community.”

Nominations on next page