HERE are the winners!

Today we reveal the companies shortlisted as finalists in the 2009 Examiner Business Awards.

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

Our five-strong judging panel deliberated long and hard before drawing up the shortlist from scores of high quality entries submitted over the past few weeks.

The cream of the crop have been nominated in 11 categories – New Business of the Year, Revell Ward LLP SME of the Year, Business Link Yorkshire Business of the Year, Kirklees NHS Community Award, HSBC Commercial Banking International Business/Trader of the Year, Regeneration Award, PROHMS Ltd Employer of the Year, Creative Enterprise Award, Kirklees Council Green Award, Fantastic Media Young Business Person of the Year, Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year.

The judging panel was made up of Jeremy Garside, managing partner of 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.

The finalists are drawn from a wide range of sectors, including marketing, manufacturing, business consultancy, IT, food, finance and construction.

Judges reported a 30% increase in entries on last year’s competition – as Huddersfield firms demonstrated how they are battling the recession through hard work, investment and innovation.

Past winners were among those bidding for repeat success along with organisations making their first foray into the fight to win one of the area’s premier business awards.

While nine of the categories have shortlists – there are no shortlists for the Regeneration Award and the Business Person of the Year. The judges have chosen a winner in each case and they will be revealed at the awards night.

Judging panel chairman Henryk Zientek said: “The judges were all impressed by the number of entries and the quality of submissions.

“In was heartening at a time of recession to see so many companies – of all types and sizes – achieving great things. There were some tough choices to make, but the judging session went very well and we have arrived at a very exciting list of nominees and winners.”

The 2009 awards will be presented on Thursday November 12 at The Galpharm Stadium.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will host the event and the keynote speaker will be broadcaster Declan Curry.

The event will conclude with plenty of networking opportunities. Tickets are limited and are available from the events team on 01484 437702.

New Business of the Year: The Master Menu (Huddersfield University Business Mine), Ambitions 4 Kirklees (Mirfield), Harriet Steele (Holmfirth).

Revell Ward LLP SME of the Year: Sanderson Associates Ltd (Grange Moor), Direct Cleaning Yorkshire Ltd (Milnsbridge), Equi Trek Ltd (Meltham).

Business Link Yorkshire Business of the Year: Buy It Direct Ltd (Deighton), Severn Unival (Chapel Hill), Newsholme Food Group (Oakes).

Kirklees NHS Community Award: UP & Working (Huddersfield), Disposables UK Ltd (Meltham), Ambitions 4 Kirklees.

HSBC Commercial Banking International Business/Trader of the Year: Newsholme Food Group, Equi Trek Ltd, Severn Unival.

PROHMS Ltd Employer of the Year: Wright Angle Marketing Ltd (Barkisland), Coopers Coffee Ltd (Bradley), Simply Biz Ltd (Bradley Mills).

Creative Enterprise Award: The Engine Room (Huddersfield), CIDA (Huddersfield), Textile Centre of Excellence (Deighton).

Kirklees Council Green Award: Ploughcroft Ltd (Brighouse), Disposables UK Ltd, City Car Club (UK) Ltd (Huddersfield).

Fantastic Media Young Business Person of the Year: Matt Holmes, of Liquid Accounts (Longwood), Richard Conroy, of Conroy Brook Developments (Brockholes).

The categories for Chadwick Lawrence Business Person of the Year and the Regeneration Award have no shortlist and are “in the gift” of the judges. The winners will be announced along with the recipients of the other categories at the awards night, which takes place on Thursday November 12 at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield.