WMN Business Awards 2012 shortlist revealed - but who will be named as the West's best?

The shortlist for the WMN Business Awards 2012 can now be revealed – with a diverse and dynamic range of businesses from all parts of the South West represented.

It follows a day-long session last week where a 12-strong panel of judges scrutinised more than 100 entries.

WMN editor Bill Martin said: "All of the businesses that have made it onto the shortlist are real Westcountry success stories who are achieving some incredible results despite the difficult trading conditions. I'd like to congratulate all of the shortlisted organisations and to thank the judges who kindly gave their time and expertise to assess a very strong field of entries."

Judges were: Chris Pomfret, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership; Tim Jones, chairman of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership; entrepreneur and hotelier Sonia Meaden; WMN editor Bill Martin; Carleen Kelemen, chairman of the Institute of Directors in Devon and Cornwall; Dean Drew, partner at Bond Pearce; Duncan Sykes, head of Foot Anstey's corporate/commercial team; Ian Brokenshire, senior partner at KPMG in Plymouth; Rob Salisbury, private banker at Coutts; Liz Parks, WMN business editor; Richard Price, head of marketing at Brittany Ferries; and Dave Roberts, from South West Water's Source for Business.

The awards will be handed out at a black tie dinner at the University of Exeter's Great Hall on November 14. Keynote speaker will be Major General Andy Salmon, co-founder and honorary president of the Lympstone-based C-Group charity, which raises awareness and understanding of Royal Marines as well as supporting the rehabilitation of injured Royal Marines.

The overall event sponsor is South West Water's Source for Business, with the winner of last year's Lifetime Achievement Award, Peter Betteridge, founder of the Bed Expert and the Sofa Expert furniture stores, on board as sponsor of the event's champagne reception. Other sponsors include: Foot Anstey, Coutts, Brewin Dolphin, Brittany Ferries, Plymouth University, Bond Pearce, RBS, KPMG and First Great Western.

To buy a ticket contact Chris Jones on 01752 302410.

WMN Business Awards Shortlist 2012

Best Hospitality or Tourism Business, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin

Kents Cavern

Nathan Outlaw Restaurants Ltd

Ashburton Cookery School

Best Green Achievement

Atlantic Village Shopping Centre

Henry Orchard and Sons

Philip Dennis Foodservice

Best Creative Business, sponsored by Bond Pearce

Ashton House Design

Oxygen

GOSS Interactive

Best Not for Profit Enterprise, sponsored by KPMG

Regen SW

Stand Against Violence

Community Energy Plus

Best Start Up Business, sponsored by Plymouth University

Funky Poppy – The Button Gift Shop

Hosted Desktop UK

Select Statistical Services

Best Young Businessperson, sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland

Jonathan Bailey

Adam Chetnik

Tom Hazzledine

Customer Service, sponsored by First Great Western

Plastic Surgeon

Devondale Electrical Distributors

ServiceMaster Clean Devon

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Foot Anstey

EMCAS

Whetman Pinks

Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park

Devondale Electrical Distributors

Excellence in Marketing

One Voice Media & PR

e-Strategy

Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Plymouth University

Akumen

Ashwoods Automotive

Cast Iron Air Brick Company

Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by Brittany Ferries

To be announced on the night

Small Business of the Year

Tufcoat

C3 Resources

Prolift Access

Cast Iron Air Brick Company

Business of the Year, sponsored by South West Water’s Source for Business

Plastic Surgeon

SunGift Solar

Vi-Spring

Stagecoach South West