Hospitality businesses named as finalists in National Business Awards 2011

JD Wetherspoon, apetito, Brakes Group and Firmdale Hotels are just some of the successful nominees. Organisers of the awards said that while there were plenty of examples of aggressive growth among all entrants, the ones that stood out were those taking steps to ensure growth is sustainable – innovating to become leaner and concentrating on core strengths rather than over-diversifying. Finalist will now prepare to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel in September and October at the offices of Coutts & Co at 30 St Mary's Axe. Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone, is chairing this year's judging programme, where 100 of the country's leading CEOs, entrepreneurs and senior directors, are to assess and reward Britain's most promising and successful companies. "The economic climate continues to present UK businesses with an unprecedented challenge: it is therefore particularly encouraging that the entries in this year's National Business Awards have shown no drop in quality or performance," she said. Winners will be announced at the National Business Awards gala dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, Tuesday 8th November, where George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver this year's welcome address. The ICAEW Sustainability Award • Brakes Group The BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year • FINE+RARE Wines The Orange Innovation Award • apetito, Wiltshire • Naked Wines The Entrepreneur of the Year Award • Paul Lindley, Ella's Kitchen The WorldPay Online Business of the Year • Naked Wines The Santander Small to Medium sized Business of the Year • Be At One Cocktail Bar • The Bread Factory The 3i Private Business of the Year • apetito • Firmdale Hotels • Yeo Valley, Blagdon The Coutts & Co Large-Cap Business of the Year • JD Wetherspoon