This year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence officially launched at the Claremont Hotel.

Isle of Man Newspapers deputy chairman Trudi Williamson welcomed the 16 awards sponsors for the event which is now in its 12th year.

She said: ’We are pleased to launch the Awards for Excellence for this year and delighted to welcome two new sponsors, Edgewater Associates and Browne Craine, to join those whose who have a longer association with the awards.

’We are especially grateful for the support and encouragement of the Department of Economic Development and we hope to build on their success with the ISLExpo event.

’It is always expected to be the larger organisations who win, but that is definitely not the case and I always enjoy going into smaller businesses and seeing the pleasure and pride they take in winning or being a finalist and displaying their trophy.

’The awards offer a range of categories covering businesses of all sizes, charitable and cultural organisations, public sector teams, and individuals so there are opportunities for everyone to enter.

’This year we also have a new award category, Wellness at Work which will give organisations the chance to showcase all the benefits their companies have to offer to existing employees and potential new ones.

’Every year the Awards seem to get bigger and bigger and we are hoping for a record number of entries this year.’

Anyone who is considering entering any of the award categories and not sure which would be most suitable or how to go to about it is invited to call Trudi on 695695 or 494682 and she will be happy to talk it through with them.

Last year’s winners included Isle of Man Creamery for Company of the Year; The Lady Chauffeurs for Customer Service; Expol for Small Medium Enterprise, and Bill Dale as Volunteer of the Year for his work with Beach Buddies.

This year’s Awards presentations will be held at the Villa Marina on Thursday November 16 with comedian Miles Jupp as compere.