A SELECT group of entrepreneurs and companies are preparing for the biggest night on the county’s business calendar.

After sifting through almost 350 entries, judges at the Oxfordshire Business Awards have drawn up the shortlist of individuals and firms who will be competing for top honours at a gala ceremony next month.

Earth Save Products, which manufactures innovative green energy technology including air source heat pumps, has been shortlisted for innovation.

The company is being recognised for its Solic 200 product.

Spokesman Charlotte Heath said: “We are very excited. We are being recognised for our commitment to bringing environmentally friendly technology to market.”

Cowley recruitment firm Allen Associates has made it to the final three in small business category.

Managing director Kate Allen said: “We are overwhelmed to have made the shortlist of three finalists from more than 70 businesses, bearing in mind that Oxfordshire is well known for the number and quality of its small business sector.”

Meanwhile, the Donnington Doorstep Family Centre in Townsend Square, Oxford, has made the final three in charity and community section.

Spokesman Amanda Cooper aid: “We have been working in the community for 28 years but have never entered any awards before, so we are delighted to be shortlisted.”

Telecommunications firm STL Communications in Witney has been shortlisted for employer of the year.

Managing director Brendon Cross said: “It is fantastic because it recognises our efforts to recruit and retain good staff.”

Winners will be announced at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford, on June 21.

 

The OBA Shortlist

* The Oxfordshire County Council Energy & Environment Award: Nicholsons Nurseries, North Aston; Mapledurham Estates, Mapledurham * The Oxford Brookes University Innovation Award: Oxford Gene Technology, Begbroke; Earth Save Products, Long Wittenham * The Oxford Times Charity and Community Award: Donnington Doorstep, Oxford; Helen and Douglas House, Oxford; See Saw, Headington * The Bottle PR Best Use of Social Media Award: Mark Making, Chipping Norton; Special Effect, Charlbury; SEO Optimise, Oxford * The Four Pillars Cultural Events and Tourism Award: Mill & Old Swan, Minster Lovell; Ian Nolan Events, Oxford; Thame Food Festival, Thame * The Heart Marketing Excellence Award: Lake Creative, Charlbury; Electrocomponents, Oxford; Perfectly Picked, Henley * The Hays Customer Care Award: Miele, Abingdon; British Gas Business, Oxford; Conversis Bicester * The Carter Jonas Export Award: Flightline, Standlake; Meech, Witney; Owen Mumford, Woodstock * The LEP New Business Award: Raw Talent Academy, Watlington; QODA, Faringdon; Building Supplies Online, Banbury * The Milton Park Small Business Award: Allen Associates, Cowley; Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins; Ridgeway, Witney * The NatWest Large Business Award: Owen Mumford, Woodstock; Hawkins Group, Banbury; Oxford Products, Witney *The Blue Law by Darbys Employer of the Year Award: Numerical Algorithms Group, Oxford; Norbar, Banbury; STL Communications, Witney l The Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person of the Year Award: Neil O’Regan, Shaw City, Watchfield; Alan Freinkel, Startraq, Banbury; Mike Hawkins, Hawkins Group, Banbury * The Shaw Gibbs Business Person of the Year Award: Graham Shelton, Oxford Pharmagenesis, Oxford; Neil Brodie, Norbar, Banbury; Karl Durham, International Applications, Banbury