JUDGING has taken place for the 28th annual Sussex Business Awards.

An expert panel deliberated at the Hotel Du Vin in Ship Street, Brighton, over hundreds of entries, which have been whittled down to 41 finalists.

Taking his place as chairman of the judges for a third year in a row was Mike Herd, executive director of Sussex Innovation Centre.

Judges included representatives from The Argus, Mazars, Morgan Sindall, HSBC, Southern Railway, Vantage Professional Risks, the University of Sussex, Checkatrade.com, the Sussex Innovation Centre, Checkaprofessional.com, Wealden District Council, Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Nature’s Way Food, Coffin Mew, Heart FM, Platinum Business and Title Sussex.

Judges reviewed all the entries to come to a longlist of finalists.

Applicants then go through a rigorous reviewing system, including phone and face-to-face panel interviews to determine who deserves one of the most highly coveted awards in the county.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 1, at The Grand, Brighton, and will be presented by comedian Simon Evans.

Details of the shortlist will be revealed in The Argus later this month.