Put your firm “on a pedestal” at the county’s most prestigious business awards – but hurry up as the deadline for entries arrives today.

KEiBA 2017 – short for the Kent Excellence in Business Awards – is open for entries until 5pm today, with the awards presented at a gala evening in June.

Successful businesses can choose from 16 categories to enter, including apprenticeship of the year, exporter of the year and employer of the year.

For the first time there is a construction project of the year award and firms can enter separate large, medium, small and start-up business of the year competitions.

Accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy is supporting the large business category.

Partner Marc Farmer said: “KEiBA is all about putting every business on a pedestal and celebrating home-grown talent from around the county of Kent.

“It is easy to get carried away in the day-to-day and write off achievements as “simply doing my job” but winning awards demonstrates that your business is excelling.

“Plus, it can do wonders for your reputation, but KEiBA is more than just a PR exercise. Criteria is strict and judges’ assessments are based on demonstrations of the impact you have had on your customers.

“It is a competitive world out there, but if you can set yourself apart with an award from a local, respected scheme then you are far more likely to win clients.

"Celebrating success is also a great way to say thanks to your staff, and help boost morale and productivity.”

The deadline for entries to KEiBA 2017 is 5pm on Friday, March 3.

To find out more about KEiBA 2017, visit keiba.co.uk