THE search is on for the best in business across the region with the launch of the 2012 Anglian Business Awards.

Now in their 15th year, the Anglian Business Awards are run by the East Anglian Daily Times to recognise success and excellence across all aspects of enterprise, among businesses both large and small.

The joint main sponsors this year are Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, a long-standing supporter of the awards, and EDF Energy, the group behind plans for a new nuclear power station at Sizewell.

A new feature of the awards this year will see the winners of categories for individuals go forward to compete for an overall Business Personality of the Year title. This will be announced at the climax of the ceremony, alongside the prestigious Business of the Year title, the recipient of which will, as in previous years, be chosen from among the organisations which have already won one, or more, of the other categories.

Category sponsors confirmed for this year’s awards include Adnams, Birketts, Ingot Services, Innovation Martlesham, Suffolk Agricultural Association, Suffolk New Collage and Ufford Park Hotel, Golf and Spa.

Angela Piearce, head of Sizewell C project at EDF, said: “We are very pleased to support the Anglian Business Awards. The Sizewell C power station project is still at a very early stage, with formal consultation scheduled to start towards the end of the year.

“However, we are already working with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to make sure local businesses are aware of the significant opportunties that this project could bring in the future and to make sure that the training programmes are in place to ensure that the local workforce is properly equipped, with the right skills, to make the most of these opportunities.”

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, added: “The Anglian Business Awards are the highlight of the business calendar where industry large and small comes together to celebrate all that is good about business in our county.

“We know that our investment and our passion in the Anglian Business Awards is shared by many across the region and we look forward to welcoming many people to the ceremony on July 4.”

Details of the award categories will be published within BusinessEast, BusinessEast Monthly and the daily business pages of the EADT over the coming weeks.

Full details of the criteria will be available online at www.eadt.co.uk/aba from Friday this week. To enter, complete the online entry form and follow the instructions for uploading relevant support material.

A printable version of the form will also be available for those who prefer to submit their entry and supporting material as hard copy. These entries should be sent to Anglian Business Awards, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN.

The closing date for entries this year is Friday, June 1. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner ceremony being held at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Wednesday, July 4.