The 48 finalists in this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence have been announced.
This is the tenth anniversary year for the awards and the entries have reflected every area of the local community: business, government and charitable organisations. In the business sector, local companies from the smallest to some of the largest are represented.
It is taking place on November 19 at the Villa Marina in Douglas and impressionist Alistair McGowan will be the compere.
The 16 judges also came from a wide range of businesses and organisations, including finance, accountancy, law, retail, IT, engineering, government and charities.
Carol Hunter, head of corporate communications for the government, has been a judge since the awards began.
She said: ‘Whatever the award category, I look for evidence of how the entrant has shown the important values which underpin our Freedom to Flourish -- resilience, resourcefulness, independent thinking and loyalty to our community.
‘In assessing an entry I want to be persuaded that the group or individual has demonstrated true “excellence” in what they do. I look for measurable results of what has been achieved, feedback from customers and clients as well as evidence of awards and recognition by external bodies.
‘I want to see a passion for their business, clients or project, and for helping others, and the Isle of Man, to flourish.’
Here is the complete list of finalists:
The PokerStars Award for Public Sector Achievement - Department of Health & Social Care Reablement Team; Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture; Isle of Man Constabulary.
The Derivco IOM Award for Medium Enterprise of the Year - Greeba Farm Ltd; Kestrel Insurance; Hot Gossip.
The Celton Manx Award for Young Achiever of the Year - Emily Smallwood, Isle of Man Police Youth Scheme; Nicholas Collins, Junior Achievement; Gena Walker, Gena’s Dance Academy.
The Microgaming Award for Corporate Social Responsibility - Department of Health & Social Care Wound Action Group; Netcetera; Adventurous Experiences.
The Baker Tilly Isle of Man Award for Volunteer of the Year - Live Well-Stay Well Volunteers, Community Health Services; Julie Stokes, Manx Breast Cancer Support Group; Vivienne Osland, The Breathe Easy Isle of Man Group.
The Domicilium IOM Award for Innovation & Independent Thinking - Manx Precision Optics Ltd; Derivco; DLP Ltd.
The Tynwald Mills Award for Teamwork - Junior Chamber of Commerce; Willaston School Youth & Community Division; Isle of Man Live at Home Scheme.
The Claremont Award for Marketing & PR Effectiveness – MannVend; PDMS; Sure.
The Canaccord Genuity Wealth Award for Business Person of the Year – To be announced on the night.
The Continent 8 Technologies Award for Charity, Cultural & Social Enterprise - Crossroads Care; Hospice Isle of Man; Lloyds Bank International Ltd.
The Sure Award for Small Enterprise of the Year - The Escape: Laser Mayhem Ltd; Island Tyres & Exhausts.
The Thomas Miller Investment Award for Company of the Year - Tynwald Mills; plan.com; Wi-Manx.
The plan.com Award for Customer Service - The Tea Junction; The Claremont Hotel; Expol.
The Riva Financial Systems Award for Excellence in the Use of Technology - Manx Telecom; Purple Accounts; Harding Lewis.
The AXA Wealth International Award for International Business of the Year RL360°; Swagelok; PokerStars.
The Isle of Man Government Award for Freedom to Flourish - The Manx Swallows; Manx Breast Cancer Support Group; Isle of Man Maritime Group.