THIS year’s sponsors are delighted to be involved in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Here’s what they say about one of the most prestigious events on the business calendar in the area.

Our two headline sponsors again are Bolton Council and The University of Bolton.

Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, said the council was delighted to continue its successful relationship with the Business Awards and the University of Bolton.

He said: “The awards are a clear signal to the business community that two major organisations in the borough want to support the business sector and recognise its achievements.

"The council has worked hard in recent years to support businesses in the borough through what have been some of the most difficult economic conditions ever experienced.

“We are now starting to see some of the benefits of that support and investment in some of our key economic sites and in the town centre and there is the real prospect of some economic recovery having a positive impact in Bolton.

“At the heart of that will be our business community in terms of their ability to support growth and economic prosperity and create jobs for the residents of Bolton.”

Martyn Shaw, director of the University Business School said: “The University of Bolton’s Business school is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the 2014 Bolton and Bury Business Awards which recognise excellence and encourage local businesses and not for profit groups to develop strengths in entrepreneurship, training and development, customer service and community involvement alongside their core business activities.

“The University of Bolton is a key driver in the local economy and, working alongside Bolton Council, we’re committed to supporting the growth of both new and existing businesses in and around Bolton and Bury.

“Bolton Business School is spearheading the University’s drive to boost employment prospects for our students.”

Stateside Foods, one of the borough’s major employers, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Bolton and Bury Business awards once again this year.

"It is hugely important that organisations have the opportunity to exchange ideas on best practice and we are proud to recognise the outstanding achievements of local businesses.

"It is fantastic to celebrate the commitment to innovation that can be found on our doorstep in the Bolton and Bury area and we are thrilled to be able to award the talented local teams that are setting the standard for business practices.”

Warings Business Advisers are also delighted to be sponsoring for a second year.

Patrick Lydon, senior partner, said: “The business awards provide an opportunity to recognise and applaud the achievements of well established, growing and new businesses in our local area.

"Warings Chartered Accountants have been working with and successfully supporting local family businesses in Bolton for well over 100 years and are proud to sponsor the Family Business category in the 2014 awards for the second year running.

"The experience last year of being a sponsor was extremely fulfilling for our practice.”

High Street bank Santander’s Ian Bateson, relationship director said: “We are delighted to once again be involved with the Bolton Bury Business Awards. SMEs are vital to the local community and economy and these awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the quality and success of our region’s businesses.

Santander’s sponsorship of the Bolton and Bury Business Awards is indicative of its commitment to supporting the local business community. SMEs play a vital role in the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.”

MBDA the Lostock missile company has apprentices at its heart. Its UK manufacturing director, Bernard Waldron MBE, himself the recipient of the Special Achievement Award last year, said: “At MBDA we are passionate about developing all our apprentices.

For some time, we have recognised the vital importance of training our young people in order to maintain and refresh our knowledge and skills base and consequentially sustain our globally competitive position.

“In today's uncertain business environment, perhaps more than ever before, there is an increasing collective responsibility for the appropriate development of the skills and capabilities of our young people if we are to compete and succeed at local, national and international levels.

"We are therefore delighted, as a local company and in the pursuit of this goal, to sponsor the 2014 Bolton and Bury Business Award for Best Apprentice.”

And new sponsor John Carr from Carrs Pasties is thrilled to be joining the sponsors.

He said: “Local award ceremonies like these mean a lot to a growing business like ours. After winning two of the awards last year against tough opposition, we are releasing our potential and enjoying being a local prestigious company.

"This year we are proud to be sponsoring the We’re Backing Bolton/Bury award to highlight other local companies showcasing Bolton and Bury as a prominent place for successful businesses and employers.”