Bigger and better than ever before - that is the key message from the organisers of the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2008. New sponsors and a new chairman are looking to make this year's competition even more dynamic than before, with fresh ideas and an innovative approach to ensure the 14th year of the awards is a memorable occasion.

Paul Lowe (pictured below), of Oxford-based Darbys Solicitors, has taken over the mantle of awards chairman from Stephen Dexter and is keen to generate as many entries as possible.

Mr Lowe said: "There are so many businesses in Oxfordshire and these awards are designed to recognise their achievements."

One of the ideas Mr Lowe has had is to rebrand the awards dinner, which takes place in June. He said: "We want to highlight the awards as being a celebration of Oxfordshire business and we want it to be open to everybody."

With 11 categories to enter, there should be something to suit every type of business, but choose carefully as only a maximum of two entries from one organisation can be received.

There are three new categories - Property and Construction, Hospitality and Leisure, and Large Business - which are designed to appeal to as broad a cross-section of the county's businesses as possible.

The awards committee has also welcomed two new sponsors in fruit and vegetable wholesaler Fresh Direct and recruitment agency Champion Recruitment.

But while they are new to being behind the scenes, they already know all about the awards, having notched up a clutch of business awards between them.

Bicester-based Fresh Direct was the Business of the Year in 2005, with managing director Nigel Harris the Young Business Person of the Year in 2003 and Business Person of the Year in 2007.

The company has also won the Growing Business of the Year on two occasions.

Champion Recruitment claimed the Customer and Staff Care category this year, while founder Tracy Hoodless was Business Person of the Year in 2006.

Mr Lowe said: "I am delighted they have come to the sponsors committee. They will be great ambassadors for the awards."

Winning an award is not necessarily about having the highest profile.

Interestingly, the 2007 Business of the Year, Banbury-based Crompton Technology, did not take the top spot in either of its categories, Innovation and Growing Business. But the judges decided it was such a good all-rounder that it deserved to be recognised.

The competition is also keen to celebrate the small firms which are the lifeblood of the Oxfordshire economy, as well as those organisations which run on a not-for-profit basis or with the environment as their priority.