The shortlist for the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2019 has been revealed.

A record number of entries were made for Cumbria’s premier celebration of its thriving business community, as hundreds of companies and entrepreneurs threw their hat in the ring.

The awards boast a bumper 16 categories – including three new ones – which recognise the impact and success of individuals and companies spanning all sizes and industry sectors.

The in-Cumbria team locked itself away to shortlist the finalists. They will now hand over the tough decision of choosing a winner to a high-profile roster of expert judges, which, for 2019, include nine new names.

Expert judges, along with representatives from Newsquest Cumbria  will hit the road this month and next to grill the finalists and decide who will be victorious.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by news presenter, journalist and author Cathy Newman at The Halston, in Carlisle, on Thursday, November 14.

Luke Dicicco, editor of in-Cumbria magazine and group business editor for Newsquest Cumbria, said: “Yet again, me and the in-Cumbria team have been overwhelmed by both the quantity, but most important of all, the quality of entries this year.

“Businesses from across the entire county have yet again done themselves proud."

Profiles of each of the finalists appear in this month's edition of in-Cumbria magazine, out today. 

Read our profiles of the finalists in our special feature in the magazine, available to view and subscribe to here

In Cumbria:

Meet the 2019 in-Cumbria Business Awards finalists

Businessperson of the Year

  • Michael Pemberton, BEC, Cleator Moor
  • John Coughlan, TSP Engineering, Workington
  • Anand Puthran, McMenon Engineering Services, Workington

    Young Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Nicky Gordon, Genesis Homes, Penrith
  • Lisa Dykes, iCan Health & Fitness CIC, Carlisle
  • Vanessa Lana Brown, VL Aesthetics, Carlisle

    Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year
  • Alex Dawson, Wood/ i3 Decommissioning Partners, Sellafield
  • Jasmine Scaife, Kaefer, Sellafield
  • Daniel Jackson, Innovia, Wigton

    Best Large Business
  • i3 Decommissioning Partners, Sellafield
  • Bender UK, Ulverston
  • theidol.com, Penrith

    Best SME
  • More Handles, Carlisle
  • Taylor and Braithwaite, Appleby
  • FlexMR, Milnthorpe

    Best New Business
  • Lakeland Fleet Management, Carlisle
  • Genesis Homes, Penrith
  • 32 West, Ulverston

    Best Family Business
  • Woodward SHE, Lillyhall
  • Stan Sherlock Associates, Carlisle
  • Scallywags, Carlisle

    Best Professional Services Company
  • Prospus Group, Carlisle
  • Bendles LLP, Carlisle
  • Responsive Limited, Workington

    Best Tourism and Hospitality
  • Tullie House, Carlisle
  • Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
  • Pure Cottages Group, Windermere

    Best Manufacturing
  • Clark Door, Carlisle
  • McMenon Engineering Services, Workington 
  • TSP Engineering, Workington

    Flying the Flag for Cumbria
  • Clark Door, Carlisle
  • English Lake District China Forum, Bowness
  • Trade Copiers, Penrith Best

    Customer Service Excellence
  • theidol.com, Penrith
  • David Allen IT Services, Penrith/ Carlisle
  • Bender UK, Ulverston

    Best Innovation
  • Bender UK, Ulverston
  • Actif-ET, Dalston
  • Innovia Films, Wigton

    Best Best Green/Ethical Business
  • Ullswater ‘Steamers’, Glenridding
  • Newlands Adventure Centre, near Keswick
  • H&H Reeds, Penrith/Carlisle

    Best Community Involvement 
  • Oxley Group, Ulverston
  • Sealy UK, Aspatria
  • OneAIM, Moor Row

    Best Marketing Strategy
  • James Cropper, Burneside
  • Old Vicarage Residential Home, Grange-over-Sands
  • Lakeland Leather, Ambleside