The short list for the Sussex Business Awards 2011 has been announced.

From Selsey to Bexhill and Worthing to Crawley, thirty two companies from across the county are hoping to win one or more of the eleven trophies up for grabs - including the prestigious Sussex Company of the Year and the Sussex Businessperson of the Year.

Celebrating business excellence across Sussex, the Awards are the longest established scheme of its kind in the county. 2011 marks the twenty-third anniversary of the competition – and it’s the one that everyone wants to win.

Four companies make the list twice. Hailsham’s Club Class Chauffeurs, last year’s winner of best Customer Service is shortlisted for the same award again – as well as Best Employer in Sussex. Brighton’s CCC Events is shortlisted for Innovation in Business and Small Business of the year whilst City College Brighton and Hove makes the grade for Business in the Community and the Company of the year. Another Brighton company, Propellernet, is shortlisted for Best Employer and the Healthiest Workplace.

The list of finalists for the Brighton and Hove Business Awards will be published in next week’s Argus. The shortlist for the Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced the following week.

The quality of the entrants has been so high that this year a new level of recognition has been introduced. As well as the outright winner receiving a trophy the accolade of Highly Commended will be awarded to certain outstanding entries.

Organiser Caraline Brown, Midnight Communications says: “We are delighted with the response to this year’s awards.

“Around one hundred and fifty companies submitted one or more entries and the judges managed to visit around one hundred companies and individuals to draw up their shortlists. We’ve increased the spread across the county even more and we’re pleased to say that more than half of the entries have come from outside of Brighton.

“This year’s final decisions were made following some heated debate – but a great deal of consensus too.

“Congratulations to all the shortlist.”

The cream of the county’s leading business people will gather to see the Awards presented at The Grand Hotel, Brighton on Thursday 1 December. All finalists receive a free place at the Awards ceremony. Tickets have been held at the same price as last year and cost £85 each (plus VAT) or £850 (plus VAT) for a table of ten. This includes champagne reception, three course meal, and two bottles of wine on each table, as well as entertainment, dancing and a few surprises!

SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS 2011 FINALISTS

The Award for Innovation in Business Sponsored by Rossetts Commercial

• CCC Events

• Content Consutltants

• Makemedia

The Award for Leisure & Tourism Sponsored by Midnight Communications

• Lion Hotels

• The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival

• The Grand Hotel

• The Grounded Events Company

The Award for the Best Customer Service in Sussex Sponsored by Domestic and General

• Club Class Chauffeurs

• Kineo Ltd

• Theatre Royal Brighton

• Total Orthodontics

The Award for the Best Employer in Sussex Sponsored by BrightonandHoveJobs.com

• Club Class Chauffeurs

• Pegasus PR

• Propellernet

The Award for the Most Promising New Business Sponsored by Morrisons

• BrightonandHoveJobs.com

• Cable & Cotton

• Ovingdean Hall International Language College

• Qualifa

The Business in the Community Award Sponsored by Brighton's Juice 107.2FM

• Café Rasoi

• City College Brighton & Hove

• EDF Energy

The Healthiest Workplace Award Sponsored by The Grand Hotel

• CH&Co Catering Ltd and Civil Aviation Authority

• Domestic & General

• Propellernet

• RSPCA

The Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by Sussex Life Announcement to follow shortly

The Sussex Businessperson of the Year Sponsored by Morgan Sindall

• Clive Collins (Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm)

• Jacqulyn Appleton (Experience Holidays)

• Natalie Balmond (Purepotions Skincare)

• Jonathan Dow (Club Class Chauffeurs)

The Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial

• CCC Events

• Sussex Uniforms

• Torr Scientific

The Sussex Company of the Year Sponsored by Deloitte

• City College Brighton & Hove

• Marlin Financial Group

• Parafix Holdings Limited