SIX Sussex companies are finalists in the 2017 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards.

The finalists were chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated across 18 award categories.

They will now prepare for live presentations to an expert judging panel who will decide the overall winners.

Gamely Ltd based in Brighton has been nominated for The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year

Palletforce in Haywards Heath is a finalist in The Howard Kennedy Employer of the Year.

Gatwick Airport Ltd is up for The Samsung Innovation Award.

Both Gatwick Airport Ltd and Avalara Europe, based in Brighton, are finalists in The Vonage Nexmo Business Enabler of the Year.

Gatwick Airport Ltd makes it a hat-trick of nominations in The Customer Focus Award.

Acro Aircraft Seating from Crawley has made it on to the shortlist for The Inflexion Entrepreneur of the Year.

Tom Broughton, group brand director of the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, said: “Given the economic uncertainty over the past year, it is inspiring more than ever to see British businesses prosper.

“Through a thorough and comprehensive judging process, this year’s selected finalists demonstrate exceptional quality and diversity across a range of business sectors within the UK.

“We are now looking forward to the next step of the process and meeting some of the finalists face-to-face.”

Continuing the celebration of Best of British Ambition, this year’s prestigious award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 14, at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, where the winners will be revealed.

Conor McGinn MP recently hosted a reception for the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards at the House of Lords.

This enabled finalists to meet fellow entrants, the National Business Awards Advisory Board members, judges who they will present to in September and sponsors of each category.

Tim Hinton, managing director, mid markets and SME banking, Lloyds Banking Group said, “The National Business Awards showcase the very best of British business.

“Lloyds Banking Group is pleased to sponsor these prestigious awards for the third year running, reflecting our support for businesses of all types and sizes.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists who should be extremely proud of their achievements so far and I wish every one of them the best of luck in the competition.”

Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists or for details on how to attend the event.

The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards is the flagship awards programme that recognises and rewards excellence across all sectors in the UK

Now in its 15th year, any company within the UK, whether public, private or third sector can enter, regardless of size or industry.

The awards have a range of categories suited for any successful organisation to tell their story - from large private and public companies through to thriving entrepreneurial businesses, promising start-ups and established SMEs.

The National Business Awards is organised by UBM EMEA.

UBM plc is a leading global events-led marketing services and communications company. It helps businesses do business, bringing the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online and in print.

Its 3,500 staff in more than 20 countries are organised into specialist teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.