TheBusinessDesk.com has launched the Scotland Business of the Year Awards to recognise the country’s most successful and ambitious businesses.

The awards, which are sponsored by PwC, are now open for entries with a deadline of Friday the 16th of January, are also being supported by Daily Business and TheBusinessGrid.

TheBusinessDesk.com already runs Business of the Year awards in five English regions, with recent winners including Lloyds Bank, Morrisons, Applied Nutrition, Rigby Group and Absolute Collagen.

Entries are now open for 13 categories spanning businesses of all sizes and sectors, including fast growth business, international trade, investment, and employer. There will also be two individual awards, for chief executive of the year and ambassador.

To enter the Scotland Business of the Year Awards, visit businessoftheyearawards.co.uk or email [email protected].

Entries are free and the awards will have a rigorous judging process. Site visits will take place in February and March, with shortlisted companies invited to pitch to judges in May before the winners will be revealed at a black-tie awards evening next June.

Jason Morris (pictured above), Glasgow and Scotland Market Senior Partner, PwC, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Business of the Year Awards in Scotland. This is a landmark opportunity to showcase the strength, resilience and innovation that defines Scottish business.

At PwC, we’re passionate about supporting ambitious companies and helping them unlock growth, and these awards provide the perfect platform to celebrate the stories that make Scotland such a dynamic place to do business.

I’d encourage companies of all sizes to apply and shine a spotlight on the incredible impact they’re making across the region and demonstrate the strength of Scottish enterprise.”

Peter Walker, who has joined from insider.co.uk as the editor of TheBusinessDesk.com Scotland, said: “The Scotland Business of the Year Awards provide an important platform to showcase the innovation and ambition that exists across Scotland’s business community.

With categories recognising everything from start-ups to large enterprises, and from sustainability to international trade, these awards will shine a light on the companies that are driving Scotland’s economy forward.”

The awards launch marks TheBusinessDesk.com’s expansion into Scotland, its sixth regional platform and first in a devolved nation.

Terry Murden, editor of Daily Business, which has been operating in Scotland for more than a decade, said: “At a time when businesses face a number of challenges it is important to recognise those that excel.”