The shortlists for the first ever Stray Ferret Business Awards have been revealed this morning.

They feature some of the leading businesses from across the Harrogate district, as well as the up-and-coming stars of the future.

All the entries were put before the independent panel of judges, each leaders in their field: Marcus Boardall, CEO of Reed Boardall, Black Sheep Brewery CEO Charlene Lyons, Cloud Nine founder and CEO Martin Rae, and James Farrar, COO of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Tamsin O’Brien, director of the Stray Ferret, said:

“We had well over 100 entries and the judges had a full day of discussion as they worked through each category. There was some heated debate and they had to take some difficult decisions to whittle the entries down and select our finalists.

“For its inaugural year, we were thrilled that the awards attracted such strong entries. I’d like to thank the judges for giving us their time and being so thorough in their deliberations.

“We’re all looking forward to the big night where the winners will be unveiled.”

The businesses and individuals face a nervous wait until the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, on Thursday, March 9. In a spectacular night at Pavilions of Harrogate, the winners will be announced, with each category sponsored by a leading local firm.

Tickets are on sale now for the event, with the early bird price of £85 plus VAT per ticket available until February 9. Tables of 10 are £765 plus VAT.

To book your tickets, click here.

Read more:

• Judges shortlist finalists for the Stray Ferret Business Awards
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm opens new office in Hull

The finalists are:

Best Digital Marketing Campaign sponsored by Next Chapter:

Coach Gym

Ogden of Harrogate

Mumbler

Best Employee Development sponsored by Jones Myers:

Continued Care

Grantley Hall

Howard Conrad

Best Independent Retailer sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub:

Cocoa Joe’s

Fodder

TravelGate

Watermark Gallery

Whittams Hire

Business Growth Award sponsored by Raworths Solicitors:

Bamber & Brown

Evolve Psychology Services

Harlow Consulting Services

IDR Law

The Soundproofing Store

TMR Foods

Digital Innovation sponsored by ASE Computer Services:

Re-Macs

Strive Group

Dynamic Leader sponsored by Succession Wealth:

Sarah Jones, Full Circle

Danny Wild, Harrogate College

Andrew Meehan, Harrogate Family Law

Alastair Taylor, NYnet

Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Suzanna Prout, Xenonex

Inclusivity Award sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors:

Artizan Café and Creative Space

Horticap

Rising Star Under 30 sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants:

Tiffany Snowden, Blue Willow Heritage

Joe Andrew, Cocoa Joes

Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

James Owen Thomas, JOT’s Gallery

Sustainable Business sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub:

EnviroVent

Full Circle Funerals

JOT’s Gallery

NEOM Organics

Number Thirteen

Resurrected Bites

Source Climate Change Coffee

Unsung Hero sponsored by Big Bamboo:

Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

Jago Wallace, Himalyan Garden

Kayti Mewis, Mumbler