Thirty of Monmouthshire’s finest businesses have made the shortlist for this autumn’s Monmouthshire Business Awards (MBAs) to be held at a black tie gala dinner on Friday, October 21 in the Celtic Manor Resort’s Caernarvon Suite.

The shortlisted businesses range from a rural village store, a vineyard on the slopes of the Black Mountains and a registered childcare provider to large established hotels, a transportation company and a property maintenance unit. The variety of firms reflects the diversity of Monmouthshire’s business community. In addition, two individuals have been nominated for the Apprentice of the Year award, demonstrating the incredible business acumen of Monmouthshire’s young people.

Ten judges sifting through the entries to arrive at the shortlist reported a high standard of entries in all categories. These include Company of the Year, Best Small Business, Excellence in Technology Innovation, Innovation in Business and, echoing the MBAs’ support for the community, Socially Responsible Business and the new Community Life Award.

Awards organiser Janet Harris said: “Competition for a prestigious award has been tougher than ever this year – with over 109 companies entering the 2016 Welsh Business Oscars. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply – judges have confirmed that the standard of entries was even higher this year making their job even harder. The announcement of the shortlisting reminds us that the event is only two months away and excitement is building rapidly. There are so many examples of outstanding enterprise within the county and it is right that we recognise these and declare Monmouthshire to be a place which values successful ventures. Well done everyone and I look forward to welcoming many guests to the Celtic Manor in October.”

This year’s finalists are as follows:

Apprentice of the Year

Ryan Faulkener

Tim Battersby

Best Small Business

Baroque Boutique

CKL Consulting

Sugar Loaf Vineyard

Community Life Award

Chip Chepstow

Hicks Logistics

The Greenman Backpackers

Company Demonstrating Sustained Growth

Hicks Logistics

Keen Attachments

Something Crafty

Company of the Year

Pro-Steel

Reid Lifting Ltd

Siltbuster

Excellence in E-Commerce/Retailing

Sugar Loaf Vineyard

The Parsons Nose Village Store

Tigerbella

Excellence in Marketing

Abergavenny Food Festival

Capsel

Mayzmusik Performing Arts

Excellence in Technology Innovation

Digital Profile

Iterate Design and Innovation

Select Security

Hospitality, Travel and Tourism

Hampton by Hilton

Monmouthshire Cottages

Seven Hills Hideaway

Innovation in Business

Iterate Design and Innovation

Little Tiger Day Care

Select Security

Most Promising Start Up

Crikey Bikey

Digital Profile

Tigerbella

Socially Responsible Business

Abergavenny Food Festival

Gardner & Llewellyn

St Pierre Marriott

Young Entrepreneur

Crikey Bikey

Milo

Xorbit