JUDGES have unveiled this year's shortlist for The Press Business Awards after pouring over dozens of entries.

In celebration of the awards' 30th anniversary, this year's finalists reflect the diverse range of businesses making their mark across our region.

The awards have long been a major fixture in the business calendar, showcasing success stories and best practice across York, North and East Yorkshire - and this year is no exception.

Among the 2021 finalists for the ten categories are entrepreneurs who have taken the plunge despite the Covid-19 pandemic, long-standing businesses going from strength to strength, firms who have proved their calibre as good employers, and those who put sustainability at the heart of their work.

York Press:

Flashback to the winners of The Press Business Awards 2019

With the support of Langleys Solicitors as the headline sponsor, we are once again championing companies and individuals that have been exploiting new opportunities, creating wealth, employing more people and contributing to our economy.

Our expert judging panel who had more than 80 entries to assess have whittled them down to three finalists in each category, with the exception of Employer of the Year which was narrowed down to four, so strong werethe the entries.

All finalists will be invited to a black-tie dinner at York Racecourse on Thursday, November 25 where the winners, and overall Business of the Year, will be announced.

Head judge David Dickson who has been involved with The Press Business Awards for more than 20 years said: “This year we saw a further increase in the quality of entries in most categories throughout our region.

“We were particularly impressed how business had adapted their business models during the Covid pandemic, some pushing forward with new opportunities and creating new sustainable jobs.

“We were particularly pleased to see the high number of new businesses starting up in challenging times and those businesses who have supported their valued employees during times of much uncertainty. In particular we would like to thanks all of the sponsors, without which these awards would not be possible."

York Press:

The shortlisted businesses are:

Large Business of the Year – Sponsored by Garbutt and Elliott

• Netsells Ltd

• Soanes Poultry

• The Tofoo Co

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Hethertons

• Yorkshire Pasta Company

• DAW Logistics Ltd

• Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery

New Business of the Year – Sponsored by Lupton Fawcett

• The HR People

• I Love Zero

• The Cats Whiskers Cat Café

York Press:

I Love Zero

Socially Responsible Business of the Year – Sponsored by York St Johns

• Ellis Patents

• Cooper King

• Choc Affair Ltd

York Press:

Cooper & King

Retail/Tourism & Leisure  of the Year – Sponsored by York Data Service

• Lucia Restaurants

• Gray’s Court Hotel

• The Potions Cauldron

York Press:

The Potions Cauldron

Exporter of the Year

• Techbuyer

• Card-X UK

• Ellis Patents

York Press:

Ellis Patents

Employer of the Year - Sponsored by City Cruises

• York Gin

• Rota Cloud

• Clive Owen

• Green Rascal

York Press:

Rota Cloud

Business Personality of the Year – Sponsored by York Racecourse

• Kathryn Bumby, Yorkshire Pasta Company

• Laurence Beardmore

• Bethan Vincent

York Press:

Bethan Vincent

Business Innovation of the Year – Sponsored by York University

• Incremental Solutions

• Aptamer Group

• RDD+

York Press:

Daniel Lee-Bursnall, left, and Lewis Gill, of Incremental Solutions

Family Business of the Year – Sponsored by Shepherd/Portakabin

• Sherbutt House

• Wold Top Brewery

• SpeedQuizzing

York Press:

Sherbutt House family members.