FOLLOWING a record-breaking 2018, the awards that celebrate the borough’s businesses is back.

The Test Valley Business Awards will launch its 15th staging at a free lunchtime event on Friday, March 15 at the Conference Centre at the University of Southampton Science Park.

The launch will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the awards’ process for the year and network with like-minded business figures.

There will also be speakers from across the borough including Test Valley mayor Councillor Ian Carr, chief executive of the University of Southampton Science Park Peter Birkett, and Businesswoman of the Year Award winner for 2018 Stephanie Barnett, of Pure Human Resources.

The launch event marks the start of this year’s entry process, open to businesses of any size operating across the Test Valley.

Run by a steering group, the awards have become a well-established platform to champion business excellence. It is a way of shining a light particularly on the many new and small businesses in the region, all doing interesting and valuable work, but often out of sight.

Places for the event are free but limited.

To book, go to tvba2019launch.eventbrite.co.uk or for more information, visit tvbawards.org.uk.