The cream of the Suffolk and north Essex business community will come together tonight to celebrate the Suffolk Business Awards at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall.

East Anglian Daily Times: David Dodds, Chris Oliver, Adrian Dodds and Nigel Slinn of Sackers Recycling at a previous EADT Business Award eventDavid Dodds, Chris Oliver, Adrian Dodds and Nigel Slinn of Sackers Recycling at a previous EADT Business Award event (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976 935738)

Representatives from 80 businesses will be among the 300 guests expected to attend the black-tie ceremony.

The awards, now in their 21st year, are recognised as the biggest night of the year in the Suffolk business calendar.

Comedian and host of the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, Miles Jupp, and rock and pop band the Supertones will provide the entertainment at the event, which is being organised by the East Anglian Daily Times.

The Suffolk Business Awards are supported by headline sponsors EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

Winners will be announced throughout the night in 12 categories. They are:

Showcasing Excellence, sponsored by Norse

Canine Creche Group - a doggie daycare business based in Martlesham

Breheny Civil Engineering - a civil engineering company from Needham Market

Urban Jungle (Suffolk) - a plant nursery and cafe in Costessey and Beccles

Spring - a communications design consultancy based in Southwold

Family Business, sponsored by Scrutton Bland

Cardinal Healthcare - a family-run nursing care business with nursing care centres in Barham and Baylham

Rosedale Funeral Home - a family-run funeral home business based in Diss, Bungay and Halesworth

John Banks Group - a multi-franchise dealer group with 9 showrooms located across Suffolk & Cambridgeshire

Breheny Civil Engineering - a civil engineering company from Needham Market

Young Business Person, sponsored by Suffolk New College/West Suffolk College

Millie Rose Homewood, 25, who runs Millie Rose Hair & Beauty and Industry Hair & Beauty Academy, a luxury hair and beauty salon based in Lowestoft

Sam Boggis, head of social work division at Seven Resourcing, a recruitment company based in Martlesham

Abbey Farrant, founder of Nuts About Events, a family-run events company based in Haverhill

Maria Charalambous, co-founder of independent sales and lettings agents Henleys Estate Agent based in Mildenhall

Environment and Sustainability, sponsored by Adnams

Muntons - a global supplier of malts, is headquartered in Stowmarket

Where Does It Come From? - an Ipswich clothing brand with its own range of eco-friendly clothing

Spectra Packaging - suppliers of plastic bottles and caps based in Halesworth

Rosedale Funeral Home - a family-run funeral home business based in Diss, Bungay and Halesworth

Large Business, sponsored by the East Anglian Daily Times

Ensors Chartered Accountants - independent chartered accountants and business advisors based in Ipswich and across the region

One Group Construction - a group of construction-related businesses based in Ipswich

Imagine That Publishing - a family-owned publishing company based in Woodbridge

Skinner’s Pet Foods - a dry dog-food producer based at the Mill in Stradbroke

Best Employer, sponsored by Pure and Birketts

StrategiQ Marketing, an integrated marketing, design and web development company based in Ipswich

Christies Care - a live-in care provider with a headquarters in Saxmundham

Breheny Civil Engineering - a civil engineering company from Needham Market

IPRS Health - a provider of B2B health and wellbeing solutions with a head office in Blakenham

Innovation Award, sponsored by University of Suffolk

Orbital Media - a digital agency based in Stowmarket

UV Safe - a provider of waterless sterilisers for knives and equipment, based in Ipswich

Corbel Solutions - IT support providers based in Ipswich

Herga Technology - technology manufacturers based in Bury St Edmunds

Small Business, sponsored by EADT Suffolk Magazine

MAD-HR - a human resources consultancy based in Ipswich

Spider Fixed Fee Web Recruitment - an online job advertiser based in Ipswich

Superstructures - a structural engineering and design consultancy located in Ipswich

Prominent - a PR consultancy based in Ipswich

Customer Care, sponsored by Greater Anglia

Home Instead Senior Care - homecare provider for older people with an office in Ipswich covering Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe

Christies Care - a family-owned provider of home care with a headquarters in Saxmundham

The Hearing Care Centre - provider of hearing care and rehabilitation from Ipswich, with 25 centres across Norfolk and Suffolk

Robert Norman Construction - a construction company based in Framlingham

Medium Business, sponsored by Ashtons Legal

Canine Creche Group - a doggie daycare business based in Martlesham

Omega Ingredients - a flavours and fragrances creator based in Great Blakenham

Bishop & Miller - an independent auctioneer and valuer based in Stowmarket

Smart Garden Offices - garden office and garden studio manufacturer based in Bury St Edmunds

Winners will also be announced in categories for Outstanding Achievement, sponsored by Suffolk County Council, and Business of the Year, sponsored by EDF Energy and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.