The hunt has started for the Commercial Business Person of the Year – one of the keenest fought categories at the Fenland Enterprise Business Awards.

Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by their employers or colleagues for this award.

Our judges, who include awards sponsors and chamber of commerce leaders, are looking for a business owner or manager who has made an outstanding contribution to the success or survival of a company.

In particular, the judges want to see evidence of the entrant’s outstanding contributions to the organisation’s success.

The award is sponsored by Leeds Day Solicitors.

Sue Lovell won last year’s award in recognition of the rapid expansion of her business – Savvy Cinderella, in March – and its support for worthy causes in Africa.

Sue’s success was built on creating and maintaining a Savvy Cinderella culture and providing an intimate one-to-one personal service.

The judges said: “Sue Lovell began Savvy Cinderella from home (in Manea) and has since embarked on a well planned journey with the business well advanced on its path.

“The business has already moved into larger premises (in March) and has the ability to expand further.

“Sue is always keen to support other local businesses by bringing in local suppliers to create a package for all their customers wedding needs.

“The judges were impressed with the innovative way in which the business cuts its waste whilst supporting worthy causes such as shipping ex-hire wedding dresses to Zambia for young girls to make dresses, thus helps to remove the young women from the sex trade.”

There are 13 awards up for grabs in this year’s competition, 10 of which are open for entries. They will identify Fenland’s best small and medium businesses, environmentally-friendly initiatives and star employees.

The Apprentice Award – set up in memory of teenager Craig Bird who was killed in a car crash in 2010 – also returns. Craig, 18, of March, was an apprentice at the Fenland Engineering Skills Centre, at Metalcraft in Chatteris.

One new category this year is the Food Producer of the Year Award, to recognise the many Fenland companies involved in food production – either as part of a supply chain or direct sale to the public.

And once again YOU will decide which town is the Pride of Fenland and demonstrated the greatest entrepreneurial spirit during the last 12 months.

A ‘winner of winners’ will be chosen from the 11 category winners for the grand title of Business of the Year.

The awards are being run in association with Fenland District Council, a supporter of the awards since they were launched.

Businesses and individuals shortlisted in the categories will be invited to attend the awards dinner, which will take place on Friday, October 9, at the Braza, in March.