The in-Cumbria Business Awards 2020 have been officially launched.

Now in their fourth year, the awards are firmly established as the biggest event in the county’s business calendar and the ceremony is due to take place on Thursday, November 19.

Entries are now open for both individuals and businesses across 16 categories, which include the new category of Best Marketeer – which replaces the previous category of Best Marketing Strategy.

While nominations can be made for the 17th award – the Robin Burgess Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria Award – the ultimate winner will be decided by the in-Cumbria team.

The awards host will be announced soon and will add to a long line of high-profile hosts for the awards.

Last year, broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman – best known for her direct interviews on Channel 4’s flagship news programme – oversaw proceedings.

Previous hosts were television and radio broadcaster Jeremy Vine and the BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan.

Luke Dicicco, editor of in-Cumbria magazine and group business editor of Newsquest Cumbria, says: “We’re delighted to launch this year’s awards.

“We are clearly living and doing business in unprecedented and very uncertain times.

“Now more than ever we need to celebrate what we have achieved and our ambitions for the future.

“We now need businesses of all sizes and from all industry sectors to do their bit and throw their hat into the ring for one, if not more, of the honours this year.

“This is always an exciting time for the in-Cumbria team and, based on the response we have had in recent years, also for the businesses across the county who embrace it in the same way we do.

“I’m delighted to introduce a new category this year – Best Marketeer. Marketing can often be overlooked but is crucial to any business’s success.

“We’re looking forward to a strong response, as we had for the three new categories introduced in 2019.

“We had a tremendous response to the awards last year and I’m keen to emulate that this year.

“I know from my day-to-day job the wealth of entrepreneurs and fantastic businesses we have in the county who are doing great things.

“Here is an opportunity to secure well-deserved recognition for those amazing achievements. So, don’t delay and enter now.”

Visit www.in-cumbria.com/businessawards for the entry form, criteria and highlights from last year.

Sponsorship packages are also available.

Call Emily Wood on 07734 996274 or email emily.wood@localiq.co.uk