The finalists have been announced for this year’s Somerset Business Awards - including firms from North Somerset.

Judges have whittled down a record-breaking number of entries to produce the shortlist for this year’s event, run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

This year is the 17th anniversary of the awards, with the grand final taking place at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston, on March 11, hosted by BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter.

Executive director of the Chamber, Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered the awards and said the most hotly contested categories had included Medium Business of the Year, Service Excellence and Environmental Achievement.

"It was great to see so many entries from both Chamber members and non-members from all corners of the county and representing a wide range of sectors and industries," she said.

"These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about our diverse business community and I'm looking forward to the grand final next month."

North Somerset Times: The Somerset Business Awards 2022The Somerset Business Awards 2022 (Image: SBA)

The 2022 Somerset Business Awards finalists:

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman):

J&K Aquatics, Bridgwater
Musgrove Willows, Westonzoyland
Protek Products, Shepton Mallet

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by TDA):

AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater
Introtweet Ltd, Taunton
Reflex Medical Limited, Shepton Mallet

Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial Management):

Hippychick Ltd, Bridgwater
Lendology CIC, Bradford-on-Tone
Haven Timber Holdings Ltd, Norton St Philip

Large Business of the Year (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark):

Bradfords Building Supplies, Yeovil
Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare
Ten Three Cleaning Ltd, Yeovil

Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott):

bibic, Langport
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington
St Margaret’s Hospice Care, Taunton

Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson):

Berry & Escott, Bridgwater
Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton
Talick Group, Glastonbury

Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions):

Alpha Housing Services Ltd, Taunton
Singer Instruments, Roadwater
WPA, Taunton

Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C):

Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd, Midsomer Norton
Cake Box Bakery, Yeovil
MMES 2012 Ltd, Bridgwater

Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative):

Emily Thompson Social Media Coach, Ilminster
Otterhead House, Taunton
The Birch Dementia Centre Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Employee of the Year (sponsored by Weston College):

Ryan Werner, of AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater
Rebekah Blake, of The Willow Set Pre-School, Taunton

Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity)

New Leaf Life Design, Bridgwater
Somerlap Forest Products Ltd, Mark
Talick Group Ltd, Glastonbury

Service Excellence (sponsored by CETSAT):

Alpha Housing Services Limited, Taunton
Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare
House Fox Estate Agents, Weston-super-Mare

Somerset Manufacturer and Producer (sponsored by Garador):

E-FS Ltd, Highbridge
EPS Services & Tooling Ltd, Wiveliscombe
Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Rebuild and Thrive (sponsored by Barclays):

Introtweet Ltd, Taunton
Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare
Sansum Solutions Group Limited, Cheddar