Late entry extension

The awards committee felt a number of businesses are run off their feet and finding time to fill the full application form is tricky. However remember by entering and that means filling in the main form, not just registering, it entitles you to a free profile in the Medway Messenger which a big marketing bonus.

We have therefore extended the final cut off deadline to 13 August 2010 after which the judges will begin their sift.

See the winners page for the full 2009 winners' story. To see how the judges worked see below

Come On Medway - Don't be Shy

Tim Levey, chairman of judges offers insight into his demanding job

With the 25th anniversary year of the Medway Business Awards over, it is time to look back and compare this year with others from the past. Given the economic climate, we approached this year's judging with just a little trepidation. What if Medway's best businesses were too tied up with the recession to even enter, would we have so few entries that we have to put every entrant into the final? What would that mean for next year?

Of course, the Awards, like many of Medway's businesses have come through recessions before and are now stronger than ever as gauged by the quality of this year's entrants and finalists. From the finalists that we visited this year, I can say that we did not have second thoughts about any of them afterwards. They were all worthy finalists and as a group were the strongest that I have seen in recent years.

Quite a few of them are what I would call the "quiet successes" of Medway. They look after their clients and customers with care and ingenuity, but do not make a lot of noise about it. As judges of the Awards we are happy to do some shouting for them.

New Sponsors

This year sees two new sponsors on board, Southern Water which will play a part at the gala evening and the University of Greenwich. This now means that along with the University of Kent and the University of the Creative Arts,three Medway based universities are supporting the awards.

Southern Water is delighted to be on board for this year's Medway Business Awards.

Director of communications, Geoff Loader said: "It gives us the chance to recognise business excellence in the community and support the innovative and enterprising firms that operate in Medway.

"We provide water supplies and water treatment services to the people and businesses of Medway and they are at the heart of what we do. We look forward to playing our part in what continues to be an excellent showcase for Medway business talent."