The shortlist for the Ayrshire Business Awards 2019 has been unveiled, with 44 firms making the cut across 15 categories.

Chamber Chief Executive Val Russell said “2019, the tenth year of these awards, has seen not only the highest number of entries but according to those involved in the first stage of judging the highest quality which has made it very difficult to select finalists. Thanks to all who entered and good luck to those going on the next stage”

The 2019 Finalists are:

Developing Ayrshire’s Young Workforce Award – EGGER (UK) Limited, James Frew Ltd, McTaggart Group Ltd, Shire Housing Association Ltd

Ayrshire’s Food & Drink Award – Brownings The Bakers, Gymmies Kitchen, Viking Café, Woody’s Ice Cream Ltd

Active Travel at Work Award – Ayrshire College, Booth Welsh, Department for Work and Pensions Kilmarnock

Start-up Business of the Year Award – Assurgo Associates Ltd, Donnini Apartments, Scrub-A-Dug-Dug – Canine Spa & Boutique, The Shore

Apprentice of the Year Award – Daniel Barclay - Brodie Engineering Limited, David Brown - Lockharts Law LLP, David Dunlop - North Ayrshire Council, Lynsey Garrick - East Ayrshire Council

Growth Business of the Year Award – Blue Rock Insurance Brokers Ltd, Cunninghame Housing Association Limited, Pillow Property Partners Ltd, Ready4Retirement

Excellence in Customer Service Award Dillon Bookkeeping, Fosters Family Funeral Directors, Hireaband Ltd, Old Loans Inn

Tourism Award – Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park, Heads of Ayr Farm Park, Largs Yacht Haven Ltd

Family Business Award – Brownings the Bakers, Engineering Tools & Consumables Ltd, Heads of Ayr, Woody’s Ice Cream

Business in the Community Award – Ayr Gaiety Partnership, Impact Arts (Projects) Ltd, RAD Hotel Group Ltd, Unity Grill CIC

Employer of the Year – Brodie Engineering Limited, Merck, Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Ltd, Utopia Computers

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Anthony Quinn - Silver Cloud Ltd, Alice Mitchell - Papeterie Bespoke, Ryan Leslie - Gymmies Kitchen Ltd, Stephanie Zikmann Scrub-A-Dug-Dug

Ayrshire’s Best Business Award (0-10 employees) – Alan White Design Ltd, Hireaband Ltd, Impact Arts (Projects) Ltd, Renewable Oil Services Limited

Ayrshire’s Best Business Award (11-50 employees) – Blue Rock Insurance Brokers Ltd, GolPhin Ltd, Lockharts Law LLP, Silver Cloud Ltd

Ayrshire’s Best Business Award (51 employees or more) – Cunninghame Housing, James Frew, Fosters Family Funeral, Merck

The winners will all be announced at the Business Awards Dinner taking place at Ayr Race Course on Friday, October 11which will be hosted by Jennifer Reoch and Edward Reid.

Book place at ayrshire-chamber.org/events.