It's time to recognise the best in business.

The annual Examiner Business Awards get under way today with an invitation to companies big and small to tell us about their achievements and the individuals who have been key to their success.

Trading conditions remain challenging – but that hasn’t stopped hard-working businesses across the Examiner circulation area from forging ahead over the past 12 months.

Our innovative and ambitious companies have been bringing in valuable orders, boosting sales and profits, investing in plant and machinery and creating jobs.

They have supported training, developed new products and services and generated wealth for the local economy.

The Examiner’s eighth annual awards will provide well-deserved recognition to our most outstanding enterprises.

Once again, organisers have been joined by long-standing event sponsor Chadwick Lawrence in the search to find the businesses and individuals who make a major contribution to the local economy.

Nominations are invited for 10 categories:

  • Kirklees Council New Business of the Year
  • Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd SME of the Year
  • Fantastic Media Business of the Year
  • Stafflex Community Award
  • Sandal BMW & MINI Green Award
  • HSBC International Business of the Year
  • The Media Centre Huddersfield “Place To Make It” Award
  • University of Huddersfield Innovation and Enterprise Award
  • Examiner Employer of the Year
  • Examiner Young Business Person of the Year

The top award of the evening will be the Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year – which is a judges’ choice award and not open for entry.

The winners will be announced at a celebratory awards night to be held at the John Smith’s Stadium when major figures from the local business community will join category finalists, sponsors, guests and the awards judges in the celebrations.

A panel of judges will choose the category winners, who will receive trophies and certificates at the spectacular awards night on Thursday, November 14.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, who has been involved with the awards since their launch, will again host the glittering event, which will also feature a celebrity speaker.

Examiner editor Roy Wright said: “These remain uncertain times for the business world. But whatever the prospects for the UK economy, many businesses continue to be highly successful.

“They have increased domestic and overseas sales, boosted employment, developed new products and services and forged ahead in new markets.

“The Examiner Business Awards 2013 offer a chance to recognise those achievements.

Why not tell us about your successes – and help highlight  how Huddersfield's continuing to thrive – by entering the awards?”

To enter,  download an entry form by going to www.examinerbusinessawards.co.uk . Alternatively, call the events team on 01484 437702 or email businessawards@examiner.co.uk to request a copy. The deadline for entries is Friday, September 6.

All entries received will be reviewed by our independent panel of judges and the shortlists will be announced in paper in October.