The dates are set and the venue is confirmed, it’s that time of the year again where we introduce all the categories for this year’s East Cambridgeshire Business Awards.

This week we’re talking about the Business Person of the Year category and it’s open to all business owners and members of management.

Sponsored by Fraser Dawbarns LLP, our judges are looking for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the success or survival of the company.

This year we have the following categories available to enter; New Business of the Year, Small Medium Enterprises of the Year and Family Business of the Year.

Supporting Young People Award, Commercial Business in The Community, The Customer Service Award, Business Growth Award, Business Person of the Year, Employer of the Year and The Innovation Award.

Criteria for each of the categories can be found on the awards website.

The Judges’ Award & The Business of the Year Award - These awards are not directly entered but chosen by the judges and will be announced on the night.

We spoke to last year’s Business Person of the Year winner Kayleigh Bysouth of Busy Bee Recruitment Ltd and found out what life has been like since winning.

She said: “Since being announced as winner of Business Person of the Year I have been very fortunate in that I have now been asked to sponsor the event for 2020 and the team of people I have working for me in my business has doubled due to interest in working with my organisation.

“Winning my award in 2019 was a huge success for me personally and one I will never forget, for the business our expansion into larger premises and the increase in staff members has further seen the business progress.

“Now hitting £1,000,000 turnover is a huge milestone for us and one we remain highly proud of!

“Winning the awards was one of the proudest moments of my life – I feel it was a recognition of my efforts and dedication to my career.

“I would thoroughly recommend to any business considering entering the awards to do so! Having been a winner for two years in a row and now being a judge in 2020 it has not only accelerated my own career but has been instrumental in the development of my business.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunities it has presented to me.”

Entry deadline for the 2020 awards is July 3 2020 at 5pm. All entries can be made through the awards website: www.elybusinessawards.co.uk/