Some companies make natural partners for the Exmouth Business Award categories that they sponsor.

BBX UK – which gives firms a helping hand by selling any spare capacity within its business community – is a good example.

“BBX and the Exmouth Business Awards both aim for similar goals, a primary one being to strengthen small businesses and help them grow,” says Mandy Swift, BBX’s franchise director. “It felt only natural, then, to sponsor the Best Small Business category.

“The South West has a large number of small businesses, and we feel that, for our local economy to thrive, it’s essential to nurture both local small- and medium-sized enterprises, and the spirit of entrepreneurialism that creates them.”

She’s impressed with what the awards bring to the town.

“Not being a big city, Exmouth gets little attention for its business community.

“It will benefit greatly from raising awareness of the many entrepreneurs and small businesses that grow and thrive here.

“Most of all, these awards show that Exmouth is home to every kind of business and innovation, not just ‘seaside’ shops.”

Mandy is looking forward to this year’s awards – at Exmouth’s Ocean on Friday, May 18.

“Naturally a highlight will be to see the presentation for our category,” she says.

“However, it will also be wonderful to see so much hard work being recognised for other companies and individuals, especially as it will highlight innovation and expertise outside the big cities. It’s also a brilliant chance to network, knowing that so many motivated and talented business people will be in the room.

“We’d like to congratulate everyone who wins and everyone who was nominated, to wish them all future success.

“We’d also like to recognise how these awards have themselves grown and matured, becoming an award every candidate is proud to be nominated for.

“We really like that these are awards of substance. They cannot be won without serious hard work and genuine results. They are not ‘vanity’, but proper recognition.

“To support this, a lot of effort goes into making the night special, from the venue, catering, guests and publicity – it’s a true ‘red-carpet’ experience.”

Read next: More stories in our build-up to the Exmouth Business Awards 2018