The deadline for entering the Cornwall Business Awards 2016 is fast approaching, with only a few days left to compete for one of these prestigious awards.

Now in their eleventh year, the Cornwall Business Awards, which are organised by the Cornwall Development Company (CDC), in association with Business Cornwall magazine and the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, have become established as the most high-profile business awards scheme in the county.

Around 350 leaders from Cornwall’s top businesses are expected to attend the awards dinner at St Mellion International on May 12.  Entrepreneur and inventor of Reggae Reggae Sauce, Levi Roots, will be the celebrity speaker at the event.

“These awards are a fabulous celebration of the very best businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This year, once again, we have been really impressed with the outstanding quality of the entries we have received,” said Arthur Hooper, CDC’s group managing director.

Among the expert panel of judges for 2016 are leading business writer, Colin Barrow; former MD of The Body Shop, Barbara Sharples; and co-founder of The Eden Project, Sir Tim Smit.

The winner of last year’s award for Best Use of Superfast Broadband, Ivor Thomson of Natural Generation, urges other Cornish businesses to enter. He said: “Winning last year was a tremendous boost for our business.

“It gave us a lot of great publicity and we made a number of really useful new contacts for our business. Needless to say, it was also great for team morale! You have got nothing to lose by entering – and everything to gain.”

Any business based in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly can enter one or more of 14 award categories, which include Best New Business and Best Family Business. There are two new award categories this year – Manufacturer of the Year and Sustainable Business of the Year.

Entries for the awards should be made online and the closing date for entries is March 13.