NEWS RELEASE Somerset all-rounder Peter Trego announced as presenter of 2018 Somerset Business Awards

Launched at a black-tie cocktail reception held at the Castle Hotel in Taunton yesterday (Thursday 31st May), the prestigious Somerset Business Awards are now officially open for entries!

Somerset cricket all-rounder and cult hero, Peter Trego, has been announced as this year’s awards evening presenter. Trego played his first senior games for Somerset Club in 1997 and is regarded as one of the best English cricketers, scoring over 17,000 runs and taking over 600 throughout his career.

Commenting on his involvement, Peter says, “I’m honoured to be involved in this year’s Somerset Business Awards. Already I’ve been impressed with the wide range of interesting businesses that call Somerset home, and it’s great to see businesses doing so well in the county that I love. It’s a really exciting time in my life, transitioning out of sport and into the business world and I’m really looking forward to seeing the best of Somerset’s businesses at the awards evening in October!”

At the official launch, the sponsors of the 2018 Somerset Business Awards gathered to celebrate the inauguration of the annual event, which celebrates the best of the county’s businesses.

The Somerset Business Awards are free to enter for all Somerset based businesses and businesses should nominate themselves. The Awards will officially close for entries on Friday 31st August 2018.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce organise the event, and Head of Chamber Services, Alistair Tudor, officially opened the awards, saying, “‘We are so excited to open this year’s Somerset Business Awards. This is our 14th year and we are constantly delighted, amazed and enthused with the strength and variety of businesses from across the region. Past entrants have seen terrific results for their businesses and each year, feedback has shown that being a finalist and winning a Somerset Business Award is something for the whole organisation to be enormously proud of.”

Judging takes place between the 3rd and 21st September and culminates with a spectacular black-tie ceremony taking place on Friday 19th October 2018 at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton – where more than 400 VIP guests will celebrate outstanding businesses in Somerset.

The Somerset Business Awards is active on Twitter, please follow @SomBizAwards for all the latest news and updates with #SBA2018.

To enter and for further information, please visit: www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

Ends

Notes to editors: Further press information is available from Beki Sharman or Liberty Ash at ADPR on 01460 241641, or email [email protected] / [email protected].

Photo captions: The 2018 Somerset Business Awards sponsors celebrating the launch of the awards at a cocktail reception held at the Castle Hotel in Taunton.

Somerset Business Awards entrants and sponsors are welcome to use the above editorial for personal/business use.

Award Sponsor Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award Albert Goodman LLP Business of the Year 1-10 TDA Business of the Year 11-25 A.C. Mole & Sons Business of the Year 26-50 PKF Francis Clark Business of the Year 51+ Screwfix Charity of the Year Award Clarke Willmott LLP Investing in Somerset Award* Hinkley Point C Creative Marketing & PR Campaign of the Year* ADPR Ltd New Business of the Year Award Teapot Creative Somerset Manufacturer & Producer Award Ashfords LLP Service Excellence Award Elite Staffing Solutions Skills for Growth Award Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association Technology & Innovation Award Porter Dodson Young Business Employee of the Year Award Clarks International

*Denotes a new Award category for 2018

Media partners Newsquest and Global Radio Drinks Reception Sponsor CETSAT

Further press information is available from Beki Sharman or Liberty Ash at ADPR on 01460 241641, or email [email protected] / [email protected].

For further information, please contact Loren Gray or Brooke Gilbertson at the Somerset Chamber of Commerce on 01823 444924, or email: [email protected].

May 2018 (PR01)