A new award scheme dedicated to small businesses has been launched in Hertfordshire by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), with sponsorship by ten leading businesses and business agencies throughout the county.

The FSB Hertfordshire Small Business Awards 2009 will be receiving and judging entries during the next few weeks for a final at Tewin Bury Farm in June 2009.

These inaugural awards will be dedicated to small businesses. In the UK more than 99 per cent of businesses employ less than 50 people, and with ten different categories and a straightforward entry process, the FSB believes that all qualifying businesses should grab the opportunity to enter.

Local business consultant Maree Atkinson said: "These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success of small businesses. There are categories to suit every small business and everyone can gain from the experience just by sending in an application form.

"We are delighted with the exceptional quality of our sponsors and categories."

The award categories and sponsors are:

  • Enterprising Business Award sponsored by Hot Office Business Centres
  • Employee of the Year sponsored by Hilliers HRW Solicitors
  • Environmental Responsibility Award jointly sponsored by Stevenage Borough Council, East Herts County Council and Dacorum County Council
  • Recent Graduate in Business Award sponsored by University of Hertfordshire
  • Best New Business sponsored by BAA Stansted
  • Excellence in Training sponsored by Exemplas
  • Best e-business Award sponsored by Business Link
  • Service Excellence sponsored by TCHC
  • Staff Development and training award sponsored by Business Solutions
  • Overall County Winner sponsored by Trend Micro

As well as the recognition that businesses can gain by reaching the finals, there will be cash prizes in each category - a practical award in difficult times.

Organiser Damian Cummins said: "Forget the doom and gloom, tens of thousands of businesses in Hertfordshire are performing well and we want to recognise that fact. These are easy-to-enter awards with no competition from the big guys."

The awards will culminate in a black tie final at Tewin Bury Farm on June 18.

To enter, businesses can download an entry form from www.fsb.org.uk/hertsawards or call Damian Cummins on 01908 560376.

The closing date for entries is May 28.