Organisers are expecting a fierce battle for bragging rights at this year's Sussex Business Awards - especially among the young guns.

A flood of entries is expected for the Best New Business Award, which will go to the most dynamic enterprise launched in the last three years.

The award, sponsored by The Argus, will go to the company best able to demonstrate the quality of its product and show how challenges were overcome.

This is a new award designed to reward relatively young but successful companies and awards organisers are expecting the category to be a popular one this year. Meanwhile, the award for the Sussex Businessman/woman of the Year will again go to the person demonstrating the most outstanding achievement.

Principal judge Bob Hoad, from Southern FM, is looking for someone who demonstrates dynamic leadership, inspires enthusiasm from colleagues and plays a wider role in the community.

Last year Richard Baker, former general manager of the De Vere Grand hotel, Brighton, scooped the title ahead of Midnight Communications supremo Caraline Browne and MediaLab director Leonard Stall.

Mr Baker guided the hotel through the refurbishment following the 1984 bombing and was the driving force behind the opening of the conference suite.

He was a keen advocate of Brighton and Hove and supported events taking place in the city by sanctioning free banner advertising across the front of the building.

How to enter your firm: Entrants only need to provide short written answers to the questions posed by the judges. Visit www.sussex-business-awards.co.uk or call Caroline Thorpe on 01273 207155 to request an entry booklet.

Entries should be sent, together with a brief entry form, to the awards office as soon as possible and no later than July 9. Businesses can also enter online.

The judges will review the profiles and may ask to visit the companies and individuals shortlisted or request further information.

Tuesday June 08, 2004