THE overall sponsor of this year’s awards is Bolton Council, through its Business Bolton arm.

Keith Davies, the council’s director of redevelopment and regeneration, said: “The reason the council, through Business Bolton, decided it should sponsor these awards was because we wanted to recognise the huge contribution the business community makes to securing economic prosperity for the town.

“It also provides us with an opportunity to celebrate significant achievement by companies and individuals.

“This is more important than ever as economic conditions have made the business environment so difficult in the last couple of years.

“The awards let us recognise the success stories that have emerged despite these conditions and that no matter how tough things are Bolton’s reputation for enterprise and developing entrepreneurs remains strong.

“The categories also allow us to focus on those specific elements which are important components to business success and in turn support the economy of Bolton.

“We are delighted to continue supporting the awards for 2010 as principal sponsors and look forward to celebrating the achievements of our business sector.”

New sponsor Bolton School will be sponsoring the Young Entrepreneur category and Simon Marsden, the school’s clerk and treasurer, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the awards for the first time.

“It is the business entrepreneurs who help fuel the local and national economy, and at Bolton School we like to encourage our pupils to get involved in business and entrepreneurship.”

Successful Bolton School business people include: Caroline Plumb, chief executive of FreshMinds Ltd, who has twice been named by Management Today magazine as one of the UK’s “35 Women Under 35”; John Roberts, boss of Horwich-based white goods company DRL; Dominic Speakman, who set up Destinology in January, 2004, specialists in luxury holidays; and Gareth Darbyshire, who is in charge of the Darbyshire Group, with a £20 million turnover business.

CLB Coopers, KBL, Wilds and Clough & Willis are among other sponsors supporting the event.

Mark Worsley, CLB Coopers office managing partner, said: “We have been involved with the awards since they started and we are delighted to continue our sponsorship.

“Although we are a North West firm, we at the Bolton office are very proud of being involved with these prestigious awards and we look forward to presenting the Business of the Year award.”

Debbie Roberts, partner at KBL solicitors in Bolton, said: “KBL are proud to sponsor the awards. The business talent showcased by the awards is aligned without commitment to support and partner with the highest quality dynamic businesses and business professionals.”

Ken Nash, sales and marketing director of Radcliffe-based Wilds, said: “This is the second successive year we’ve been involved. We’re delighted to sponsor the SME Business of the Year category.

“We feel Bury and Bolton ought to have a suitable event to showcase what companies are doing and achieving.

“As part of our business growth programme, we always advise clients to enter business awards such as these as it gives them a clear goal to aim towards.”

Once again Bury solicitors Clough & Willis is lending its weight to the event by sponsoring the Customer Excellence category.

Managing partner Shefali Talukdar said: “This is the fifth year we have been involved, which clearly shows our commitment towards supporting Bury and Bolton companies. We’re delighted to back the awards.

“Excellent customer service has always been at the heart of our business. We consider this one of the most important aspects of business which we continually push and endorse.”

Last year’s Business Person of the Year was won by Subhash Kotecha, who accepted the trophy with his wife Geeta, at his side.

The dynamic couple between them have interests in university, restaurants as well as business links in India.

Mr Kotecha, is best known in Bolton for operating, with his wife, the successful Spice Valley restaurants at The Valley, Bolton, and in Lee Lane, Horwich.

He said: “Winning the award does help raise your profile and many people have commented on it.

“Since winning, we have had many people visit the restaurant and we now host the Curry Club and other events which have been good for our businesses.”