THE deadline for companies wanting to enter the Oxfordshire Business of the Year Awards is fast approaching, writes David Duffy.

Firms have until March 31 to submit an entry form to the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council. Forms are available by calling 0345 569569.

Stephen Dexter, chairman of Business Link Heart of England, urged more companies to enter the awards, which are sponsored by Oxford and County Newspapers.

Mr Dexter, who is also managing partner of the Oxford office of business advisers Grant Thornton, said: "I don't see how companies can afford not to enter. Previous winners have said they were surprised at the benefits.

"Apart from raising their profile, the awards led to valuable contacts, helped staff recruitment and staff relations because the success reflected on everyone within a company.

"However, the telling point is that firms who did not feature among the winners have also reported similar benefits. In particular they found contact with other companies, which led to new ideas, was a valuable spin-off from entering the awards." Last year a total of 228 businesses were nominated and 98 made full entries. This year the organisers are confident of receiving many more.

Tony Harris, of last year's overall winner Software 2000, of Oxford Science Park, said: "I found the awards an ideal way to increase our visibility in the area. Visibility is important for recruiting, staff confidence and promoting confidence in suppliers."

Cowley-based DHL International (UK) has joined the list of firms sponsoring the awards.

This year's categories are community involvement, sponsored by Oxford & County Newspapers and FOX FM; customer care, sponsored by Unipart and Grant Thornton;

developing people, sponsored by Rover and Dale Carnegie; export, sponsored by DHL International (UK) and Business Link Heart of England; small business, sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Heart of England TEC.

Entries in all the categories will be automatically considered for the overall Oxfordshire Business of the Year award.

The awards will be handed to the prizewinners by a celebrity guest of honour at a glittering awards dinner at the Randolph Hotel, Oxford, on Friday, June 5.

We will be publishing an eight-page Business Awards supplement next Tuesday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.