The 19th Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business were officially launched on Thursday (April 21) and entries are now open.

A breakfast launch event, which was attended by previous winners, finalists, judges and newcomers, took place at Wood Green Animal Shelter, in Godmanchester, before the start of the Huntingdonshire Business Fair.

John Bridge, chief executive of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce and chairman of the business awards’ judging panel, kicked off the launch with an insight in the awards and prestigious nature of the accolades.

He said: “It is always a real privilege to launch The Hunts Post Business Awards they are a very established factor in the business community in Huntingdonshire. We want to see some promising companies and I am sure that once again we will be celebrating the best of the businesses in Huntingdonshire.”

Mr Bridge said the judging process was a difficult one and he offered advice to businesses who were thinking of entering.

“There are only ever a few points difference between those who get onto the short list and those that actually onto win. It is about what you have done in the last 12 months and what makes you stand out from the others.

“The judges are going to look at what companies have done in relation to the criteria and that which is related to the category – we need to see evidence when you are entering for a category.”

Mr Bridge then handed over to head of development at Huntingdon based Xtreme Events, Nevilla Nania.

The company, which launched in 2013 by a team of four to employing more than 16 full time and around 45 part-time coaches nationwide, won New Business of the Year at last year’s awards.

Mr Nania told the audience how the firm had benefitted from taking part in the awards.

He said: “Since winning last year the business award has helped us kick on. We constantly say we are an award winning company and it does open doors for us.”

Guest speaker Stuart Prosser then talked about his business, Mole Solutions, which is currently working on an innovative approach to freight solutions. You can find information on how to enter the awards by visiting www.huntsbusinessawards.co.uk.

There are 13 categories and businesses can enter up to three, with each entry having a different report.

Deadlines for entries is September 9 and judges will meet on September 19, and then over the new few weeks finalists will be announced and judges visiting the shortlisted companies.

The awards ceremony is at the Burgess Hall, in St Ives, on November 4.