The shortlist for this year's prestigious in-Cumbria magazine business awards, in association with NRL, has been announced.

A panel of judges, selected from key figures across the business community in Cumbria, met at Local-iQ house in Carlisle on Monday, 2nd September, to whittle down the many outstanding nominations.

The judges were Rebecca Graves, NRL; Kelly Ashbridge, The Cumberland; Jayne Moorby, Oxleys; Ben Heslop, Cumbria BIP; Carol O'Donoghue, Cartmell Shepherd; Caroline Barber, 32 West; Graham Lamont, Lamont Pridmore; John Sidney, University of Cumbria; Phil Redfern, React Engineering; Rachael Bell, Rachael Bell Wealth Management; and Rachel Seal, David Allen.

Rebecca Graves, director at NRL, said: "The in-Cumbria Business Awards serve as a fantastic platform to recognise the extraordinary accomplishments of our incredible and diverse business community. "I know I speak for the entire judging panel when I say it was an absolute privilege to bear witness to the remarkable achievements, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the nominees and their respective businesses."

THE SHORTLISTED AWARD WINNERS ARE:

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Rachael Bell Wealth Management

Rachel Bell, Lake District Estates, Euan Hutton, Sellafield Ltd, Mark Telford, Forth.

BEST DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BUSINESS - Sponsored by KBR

The Peoples Conference Centre, Carlisle, The Cumberland, Carlisle College.

APPRENTICE/TRAINEE OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by David Allen

Lisa Ellis, Carlisle College, Stephen Kirk, Burnetts, Chloe Ferguson, Forth.

BEST LARGE BUSINESS - Sponsored by Cartmell Shepherd

Genesis Homes, Furness Building Society, Kendamil, Kendal.

BEST SME BUSINESS - Sponsored by The Cumberland

A Lamb Associates Ltd, RAF Engineering, Cumbria Wildflowers.

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Lakes Estates, Penrith, Little Miss Social Media, One-O-Five Precision Ltd, Basecamp North Lakes.

BEST FAMILY BUSINESS - Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore

CHC Group, Kendal, Holgates Caravan Parks Ltd, Silverdale, Stollers, Barrow-in-Furness.

BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY – Sponsored by NRL

Platinum Live, Realise HR, VA Consultants Global Ltd.

BEST GREEN BUSINESS

Cumberland Flower Farm, Shed One Distillery, Ulverston, Muncaster Castle.

BEST COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Sponsored by React Engineering

Shed One Distillery, Ulverston, The Rebuild Site, Cumberland Building Society.

FLYING THE FLAG FOR CUMBRIA AWARD - Sponsored by The University of Cumbria

OEE Container Technology Ltd, Forth, Harrison & Hetherington.

BEST MARKETING PROFESSIONAL/TEAM - Sponsored by 32 West

Nicci Rigby, Mission CX, Hannah Lewis, Realise HR, Sue Colling, Lloyd Ltd.

More details about the three shortlisted businesses and people in each category will be featured in the October edition of in-Cumbria magazine.

The winners, including the recipient of the Robin Burgess Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by BAE Systems, will be announced by host and broadcaster Zara Janjua at the awards in November.

The awards will take place at Dalston Hall Hotel, near Carlisle, on 29th November and will feature an after-show party with a DJ, sax player and casino.