RECKON you’ve got the best business in town?

Then here’s the chance to prove it – by entering the Business of the Year category in the 2011 Examiner Business Awards.

The category, sponsored by Walker Singleton, is open to companies employing more than 50 people.

The winner will be able to demonstrate all-round business excellence, a sound financial performance and a sure-fire strategy to achieve its plans for future growth.

A company providing support to independent financial advisers took the trophy for this category at last year’s Examiner Business Awards.

The company was launched in 2002 by chairman Ken Davy, who is a familiar figure in the town as chairman of Huddersfield Giants.

SimplyBiz grew to employ 150 staff and provide services to a membership of more than 2,000 independent financial adviser firms.

Together, they account for more than 5,000 registered individuals.

As well as providing services such as back office and book-keeping software, expert technical guidance and help with compliance, the group – based at the Galpharm Stadium – also stages hundreds of events a year covering business development, investment, mortgages, pensions and compliance.

Kirklees & Calderdale’s largest property consultancy Walker Singleton is well-known to the borough’s business community and is proud to be sponsoring the Business of the Year category for the first time this year.

Partner Richard Smith has himself seen some of the areas most significant commercial property projects through to fruition in over 20 years at the firm.

“We are a regional firm, established and based here in Huddersfield specialising in providing services to the business sector,” he said.

“We have been involved directly in a significant number of transformational projects within West Yorkshire over recent years.

“Our Huddersfield office, which we opened two years ago against a background of economic uncertainty, affirms our commitment and belief in Kirklees as a growth area and a dynamic place within which to do business.”

Said Mr Smith: “Huddersfield has got some really first-rate businesses and we want to encourage, support and promote them in any way we can.

“This is a great way of doing that.

“The awards identify and celebrate these great business success stories right here on our doorstep”.

Walker Singleton has been in business since 1889 and employs 50 people at its commercial offices in Huddersfield and Halifax, as well as a residential office in Bradford.