TONIGHT’S the night when the winners of the INSPIRE Business Awards 2024 will be crowned at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Trophies will be presented to the winners of 12 categories and there will also be a Winner of Winners award at the event, which is taking place at Oakley Hall.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the headline sponsor of the 2024 awards, and is also among the category sponsors.

Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the awards again this year and also to sponsor the Business and the Community category, and we look forward to celebrating all the great achievements of our business community at this special event.”

Former Hampshire and England cricketer Shaun Udal will be a VIP guest and co-compere at this year’s awards. Shaun, who is owner/director at Professional Workwear in Basingstoke, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 and is a supporter of Sport Parkinson’s – this year’s INSPIRE Business Awards charity.

READ MORE: Inspire Awards finalists announced - here's the full list

The Gazette is the media sponsor of the awards and will be covering the event online and in next Thursday’s edition.

The INSPIRE Business Awards 2024 finalists are:

Large Business of the Year – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs
•    Castle Trust Bank
•    LG Motion
•    Caviste

Medium Business of the Year – sponsored by Centerprise International
•    Chennai Express
•    Milk Club
•    Harlequin Clothing, Printing and Signage

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke
•    Bumble & Bee
•    The Parlour Tearoom
•    The Topiary Salon


Wellbeing Champion – sponsored by SNG
•    Simpila Wellbeing
•    Inclusion Education
•    Eli Lilly and Company

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press
•    Holly Findlay
•    Jade Kelly
•    Carlee Osundina

Rural Business of the Year – sponsored by Worting House
•    Silchester Farm
•    Whitchurch Silk Mill
•    Wildflower Turf Limited

Apprentice of the Year ¬– sponsored by Basingstoke College of Technology
•    Josh Harvey
•    Zara Smith
•    Henry Mason

Business and Community Champion – sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
•    The Champion Group
•    Unum
•    Newbury Building Society

Sustainable Champion – sponsored by PLANT
•    Brevity Marketing
•    Afrizi
•    Milk Club

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
•    Fonseca Fitness
•    The Hampshire Vet
•    Milk Club

Service Excellence – sponsored by Professional Workwear
•    SightCare
•    NFU Mutual North Hampshire
•    Restaurant @BCoT

Best Place to Work – sponsored by Oakley Hall
•    Simpila Wellbeing
•    MiniTec UK
•    Edison Smart

Winner of Winners – sponsored by Absolutely Offices
Awards Night Welcome Drinks Event sponsor – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Awards Night Entertainment sponsor – Allica Bank