Claire Summers, who last hosted the premier annual event for Powys businesses, social enterprises and charities in 2018, will be leading the award ceremony on Friday, October 7. The Awards were last held in Dering Lines in 2019.
Claire is an experienced journalist and was a key member of the BBC Wales Today team for many years. She has also anchored major events including the Ryder Cup, the 2012 London Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and has been the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year presenter. Claire currently presents the Breakfast news programme from Monday to Thursday, talking about all the news across Wales.
Showcasing the diverse range of successful enterprises in the county, 23 finalists have been shortlisted for this year’s coveted Powys Business Awards 2022, which are organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG) with support from sponsors.
Ceri Stephens, MWMG’s group manager, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Dering Lines in Brecon to celebrate business excellence in Powys in our traditional style. We shall be showcasing the very best of business, across all sectors, in the county.”
There are nine categories at the awards that will each have a winner. From the category winners, an overall Powys Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Powys County Council will be chosen. In addition, the judging panel can make a discretionary Judges Special Award, sponsored this year by CellPath, to recognise an outstanding achievement by a business or person who is not one of the category winners.
The categories are: Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild; Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by Welsh Government; Micro Business Award (fewer than 10 employees), sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group; Growth Award, sponsored by The County Times; Small Business Award (under 30 employees), sponsored by WR Partners; Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by Myrick Training Services; Small Business Growth Award, sponsored by EDF Renewables; and theTechnology & Innovation Award, sponsored by ForrestBrown; People Development Award sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges.