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Finalists in the 2023 LeicestershireLive Business of the Year Awards have spoken about what it means to have been nominated – as they prepare for the winners to be announced later this month.

Some of the region’s most successful businesses have been singled out as finalists ahead of the black tie awards night which takes place at the King Power Stadium, in Leicester, on Thursday, October 26. .

Past winners have included the 19-room Winstanley House hotel, in Braunstone Park, Leicester; Loughborough medicines manufacturer Morningside Pharmaceuticals; BHIB Insurance Brokers and Lutterworth tank driving experience provider Armourgeddon.

James Tudge is the managing director of one of this year’s finalists – Hinckley-based electrical installation specialist Central Electrical Services (CES), which works on big office fit-outs around the ������Ƶ.

The business, which is run by Mr Tudge and his wife Jo, was started by his dad and step-mum almost 30 years ago and he joined it in 2004 – prior to the couple eventually buying his parents out.

It has been nominated in the at this year’s awards.

He said: “After 28 years of encouraging our employees to progress not just at CES but through numerous career paths in the electrical industry, we are delighted to be nominated for this award.

“As business owners we recognise the value of our team as the most important asset to the company.

“This award nomination serves as a massive pat on the back to everyone at CES and we can’t wait to attend the award ceremony – we feel like we have already achieved something even without the result.”

– part of The Alan Nuttall Partnership – which makes equipment to display hot food in shops, take-aways, cafes, coffee shops and other premises.

It has seen sales grow from £8 million in 2018 to £26.7 million and rising, thanks to its work with clients including Amazon, Starbucks, Morrisons, Greggs, Prett and Asda.

It recently opened a US HQ in Texas and has been nominated in three categories – Global Britain; Made in Britain and Business of the Year.

Global chief executive Jamie Joyce said to be shortlisted – especially for Business of the Year – was a reflexion of the team’s incredible hard work.

He said: “It’s been a monumental 12 months for Flexeserve, and we’ve entered the awards to recognise this.

“Flexeserve is an employee-owned business in Hinckley with 90 partners (employees), and we also recently opened our brand-new US HQ and Culinary Support Center in Dallas, Texas.

“Sadly, 2022 also saw the passing of our visionary founder, Alan Nuttall. His legacy can be seen through the progress we’ve made as an innovative manufacturer, an international business and, most importantly, as a pioneering employer – continually enhancing how we support our team.

“On behalf of everyone at Flexeserve, I wish all the companies shortlisted this year the very best luck – these awards showcase Leicestershire and the talent of its people.”