Midlands Exporter & Business Person of the Year: Alan Coxon http://ping.fm/pF5dl

Midlands Enterprising University of the Year: Aston University http://ping.fm/Apfh7

Midlands Business Person of the Year: John Cave

John Cave is a finalist in the Midlands Business Person of the Year.

John (http://uk.linkedin.com/johncave) is a sustainable material manager at EH Smith (Builders Merchants Ltd) and Chairman for Force (Forum for Constructing Excellence). John also has an in-depth understanding and use of web 2.0 and social media tools in business.

We wish John all the luck for this nomination.If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Midlands Exporter & Business Person of the Year: Alan Coxon

Alan Coxon is one of the finalists for the Midlands Exporter of the Year award as well as Midlands Business Person of the year.

Alan Coxon (http://www.alancoxon.com/) has established a reputation as one of the world's favourite TV chefs and presenters, with an exceptional culinary talent and an unparalled knowledge for the earliest origins of world cuisine. His dishes have the rare quality of being both stunning, yet easy to recreate at home.

With a fun, approachable and interactive style, Alan is recognised as a leader in his field and a highly-respected player by both the world of TV media and by his peers in the food industry.

With three exciting cookbooks, a new range of historic vinaigres and spices and numerous radio, magazine and live appearances to his name, Alan has cemented his place among cookery's broacasting elite.

We wish Alan all the luck for this nomination.If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at http://www.midlandsbusinessawards.com/.

Midlands Enterprising University of the Year: Aston University

Aston University are among the finalists for the Midlands Enterprising University of the Year.

Aston University (http://www1.aston.ac.uk/) values the need for research and training, new media applications, placement opportunities and quality city centre conferencing facilities. Aston University has a portfolio of organisations which support local industry and commerce, all of which offer business support, by delivering a value for money service, choice, and expertise without compromise.

We wish Aston University all the luck for this nomination.If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Midlands Service Provider of the Year: Mark Evans http://ping.fm/l0BJa

Midlands Networker of the Year: Shaun Philpott http://ping.fm/37hcC

Midlands Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Steven Timberlake http://ping.fm/YRr7i

Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist: Becki Coombe http://ping.fm/IeB4o

Midlands Networker of the Year: Shaun Philpott

Shaun Philpott is a finalist in the Midlands Networker of the Year category (sponsored by NRG).

Shaun runs Icon Business Solutions based in Wolverhampton (http://www.iconbusinesssolutions.co.uk/uk/).

After over 20 years of
business experience, he has developed a real passion for
helping business owners achieve their financial and
personal goals.

Shaun has spent 15 years in the accountancy profession
with KPMG and PWC where he gained significant
experience of businesses across a multitude of sectors
and at various stages of development. His last 3 years in
the profession involved working specifically with business
owners, advising on business plans, raising finance and
making acquisitions.

After leaving the accountancy profession, Shaun undertook consultancy work and, with a business partner, founded and ran a training company that grew to employ in excess of 20 people over a 3 year period. Subsequently Shaun spent 2 years working for a fast growing plc in the vocational training sector where he increased business generated from existing national employer clients as well as securing contracts from new clients.

Shaun is currently on the membership committee for the Black Country Chamber's Alliance for Professionals group. Married to Sarah, with two children, Shaun enjoys playing golf and watching football in his spare time.

We wish Shaun all the luck for this nomination.

If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Midlands Service Provider of the Year: Mark Evans

Mark Evans is a finalist in the Midlands Service Provider of the Year category at the Midlands Business Awards (sponsored by The Hilton Metropole Hotel, NEC).

Mark runs R&D Tax and Grants Ltd based in Wolverhampton (http://www.taxandgrants.co.uk/) which was set up in early 2009 to ensure that small to medium sized companies get access to government grants and tax refunds which currently they are unaware are available to them.

The consultancy was set up by Mark Evans and Brendan Molloy who are both accountants with over 50 years combined experience in advising SMEs. Mark Evans runs a rapidly growing proactive accountancy practice based in Wolverhampton. He has always been driven by the needs of his clients and recognised an opportunity to provide this exciting new service when he met Brendan Molloy in late 2008. Brendan had worked as an accountant in the manufacturing industry for over 30 years and now specialises in R&D tax reclaims and grant applications. Working together they are committed to making sure that all companies receive the financial assistance to which they are entitled!

We wish Mark all the luck for this nomination.

If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Midlands Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Steven Timberlake

Meet Stephen Timberlake who is one of the finalists in the Midlands Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by HCK Communications).

Stephen runs Hidden Eden based in Warwick (http://www.hiddeneden.com/subcategories.aspx?id=103) which provides garden and wildlife gifts.

The site includes Ask the Expert, How to Factsheets and Frequently asked questions.

We wish Stephen all the luck for this nomination.

If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year: Becki Coombe

Meet one of the finalists for the Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by BT). Becki Coombe from The Learn 2 Group in Coventry (http://www.learn2.org.uk/).

The Learn 2 Group's aim is to provide professional and high quality consultancy, teaching and learning opportunities at affordable rates to organisations.

Learn2 prides itself on delivering a diverse, yet specific range of high quality services to young people in educational and recreational environments. They provide:

* Bespoke Alternative Curricula
* Core Task Cards Training
* Sports Leader Awards
* Autism & Aspergers PE Support
* First Aid For Education

We wish Becki all the luck for this nomination.

If you'd like to book your table at the Midlands Business Awards on 29th January 2010, please visit the website at www.midlandsbusinessawards.com.

Just finished the judging process for the awards - went really well!