The shortlist for the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2019 has been revealed.

A record number of entries were made for Cumbria’s premier celebration of its thriving business community, as hundreds of companies and entrepreneurs threw their hats in the ring.

The awards boast a bumper 16 categories – including three new ones – which recognise the impact and success of individuals and companies spanning all sizes and industry sectors.

The in-Cumbria team locked itself away to shortlist the finalists.

They will now hand over the tough decision of choosing a winner to a high-profile roster of expert judges, which, for 2019, include nine new names.

Expert judges, along with representatives from Newsquest Cumbria will hit the road this month and next to grill the finalists and decide who will be victorious.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by news presenter, journalist and author Cathy Newman at The Halston, in Carlisle, on Thursday, November 14.

Luke Dicicco, editor of in-Cumbria magazine and group business editor for Newsquest Cumbria, said he was bowled over by the response to the awards.

“Yet again, me and the in-Cumbria team have been overwhelmed by both the quantity, but most important of all, the quality of entries this year,” he said.

“Businesses from across the entire county have yet again done themselves proud.

“It has been a real honour to go through them all. The effort put in, and the amazing achievements of those who have entered, has been really inspirational. Cumbria’s business community is in fantastic health.

“The response just demonstrates the growing popularity of the awards, and the high value businesses place on them. We are looking forward to going out to see the finalists, along with our expert judges, to learn more about the stories behind the applications.

“We really do have a perfect mix with judges who are experts in their fields and will not only decide the ultimate winner, but also be able to offer extremely valuable advice and insight to our finalists.

“The judging process is intense, but we also aim for it to be enjoyable and inspirational.”

Finalists

Businessperson of the Year: Michael Pemberton, BEC, Cleator Moor: John Coughlan, TSP Engineering, Workington; Anand Puthran, McMenon Engineering Services, Workington.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Nicky Gordon, Genesis Homes, Penrith; Lisa Dykes, iCan Health & Fitness CIC, Carlisle; Vanessa Lana Brown, VL Aesthetics, Carlisle.

Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year: Alex Dawson, Wood/ i3 Decommissioning Partners, Sellafield; Jasmine Scaife, Kaefer, Sellafield; Daniel Jackson, Innovia, Wigton.

Best Large Business: i3 Decommissioning Partners; Bender UK, Ulverston; theidol.com, Penrith.

Best SME: More Handles, Carlisle; Taylor and Braithwaite, Appleby; FlexMR, Milnthorpe.

Best New Business: Lakeland Fleet Management, Carlisle; Genesis Homes; 32 West, Ulverston.

Best Family Business: Woodward SHE, Lillyhall; Stan Sherlock Associates, Carlisle; Scallywags, Carlisle.

Best Professional Services Company: Prospus Group, Carlisle; Bendles LLP, Carlisle; Responsive Limited, Workington.

Best Tourism and Hospitality: Tullie House, Carlisle; Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere; Pure Cottages Group, Windermere.

Best Manufacturing: Clark Door, Carlisle; McMenon Engineering Services; TSP Engineering.

Flying the Flag for Cumbria: Clark Door; English Lake District China Forum, Bowness; Trade Copiers, Penrith.

Best Customer Service Excellence: theidol.com; David Allen IT Services, Penrith/ Carlisle; Bender UK.

Best Innovation: Bender UK; Actif-ET, Dalston; Innovia Films.

Best Best Green/ Ethical Business: Ullswater ‘Steamers’, Glenridding: Newlands Adventure Centre, near Keswick; H&H Reeds, Penrith/Carlisle.

Best Community Involvement: Oxley Group, Ulverston; Sealy UK, Aspatria; OneAIM, Moor Row.

Best Marketing Strategy: James Cropper, Burneside; Old Vicarage Residential Home, Grange-over-Sands; Lakeland Leather, Ambleside.