Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is returning as headline sponsor for the 2025 INSPIRE Business Awards.

A total of 13 category awards and a Winner of Winners prize will be up for grabs at the 2025 event, which will again be delivered by not-for-profit independent organisation Destination Basingstoke.

The 2025 awards, which will culminate in an awards dinner at Oakley Hall on Thursday, July 17, have attracted support from previous and new sponsors.

READ MORE: Inspire Business Awards 2025 open for entries and sponsorship

Dr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "The INSPIRE Business Awards are a unique opportunity to recognise business innovation and creativity, to acknowledge the investment that local businesses make in their employees, and to showcase all the amazing work they do to support our communities and residents.

"I am delighted that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is this year again headline sponsor for the awards, and I look forward to celebrating business success with all the nominees and winners."

Mark Jones, partnerships manager of Destination Basingstoke, said: "Thank you to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the ongoing support for the INSPIRE Business Awards – we are proud and honoured to see the council return as headline and category sponsor.

"This much-appreciated backing for INSPIRE 2025 is also a significant show of support for the business community in Basingstoke and Deane, helping INSPIRE 2025 to showcase and celebrate the best of local business in our town and borough."

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Besides being the headline sponsor, the borough council will also sponsor the Business and the Community award.

Other sponsors include Shaw Gibbs, accountants and business advisers based in Basing View, and Basingstoke firm Phillips Law.

Long-time sponsors Absolutely Offices and Minuteman Press are also returning.

Basingstoke College of Technology will sponsor the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year category for 2025.

Entries are now open for the INSPIRE Business Awards 2025.

Businesses must be based in Basingstoke and Deane, or conduct more than 20 per cent of their business in the area, or have 20 per cent of staff living in Basingstoke and Deane.

As usual, the INSPIRE Business Awards will support a local charity, which will be announced soon.

Businesses or organisations interested in becoming category sponsors should contact Mark Jones, partnerships manager at Destination Basingstoke, on mark.jones@destinationbasingstoke.co.uk.