The South Wales Argus Business Awards are now open for entry.

Any business - private, public or third sector - from the Gwent area can enter the awards by visiting www.southwalesargus.co.uk/awards/business2018/.

We are hosting an special official launch event for the awards in June as a thank you to our sponsors.

The awards, which will be celebrating the area’s most innovation companies and business individuals, are set to become a key event in the local business calendar.

Newport Now, the city’s Business Improvement District, has signed up as headline sponsor for the awards.

As part of the sponsorship two categories will be solely for businesses trading within the BID area – Best Bid Independent of the Year and Best Bid National Business of the Year.

Newport-based financial services business Kymin, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is sponsoring the small business category.

The Innovative Business of the Year award is being sponsored by Western Power Distribution and Newport City Council has come forward to sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award.

MHA Broomfield Alexander has stepped up to sponsor the Family Business of the Year Award and Monmouthshire Building Society is backing the Contribution to the Community Award.

Other awards will be: Business of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Large Business of the Year; Start Up Business of the Year Award; Environment Business Award; Customer Service Award; and Training and Development Business of the Year.

The awards will be presented at an event at the Newport Centre on September 27.

As part of the evening, a drinks reception will be sponsored by St Joseph’s Hospital and Langstone-based Centurian VAT Specialist Ltd has come aboard as the sponsor of the event programme.

For more information on sponsorship and entry contact Matt Berry on 01633 777043 or Samantha Taylor 01633 777147.