A pop music mogul will be guest speaker at the North East Cheshire Business Awards this year.
Record producer and former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman OBE will entertain businesspeople at the sixth annual awards, sponsored by the Macclesfield Express celebrating businesses across Macclesfield, Wilmslow and Knutsford.
It comes as organisers urged local firms to get their entries in before the deadline closes on Friday.
Sue Bowden, from the chamber, said she was ‘delighted’ Pete had agreed to speak at the event, and added: “More recently he’s turned his focus to business and is on the board of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Council.
“He has a passion for railways and HS2, and being from our area will have a view on the Northern Powerhouse.
“He is hugely multi-talented and very charismatic.
“We always try to look for the highest profile speakers possible - it is really quite a coup for us to get Pete and I know we will all be highly entertained so I recommend you book your tickets early.”
The deadline for the awards has been extended until Friday, October 7 to ensure no-one misses the chance to enter and Sue says entries are coming in ‘fast and furious’.
Companies of all shapes and sizes are invited to enter.
There are a total of 11 award categories including best overall businesses, Business of the Year Turnover over £5 million and Business of the Year Turnover up to £5 million.
There will also be an accolade for Entrepreneur of the Year as well as awards for Excellence in Customer Service, Team of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.
Innovation and Design will also be recognised, other awards including Best use of Social Media; Best Design/Creative Campaign; Start Up Business of the Year and Charity of the Year.
The winning charity will then benefit from becoming the benefactors of next year’s awards.
The winners will be announced at a glamorous champagne ceremony at the Mere Resort, Knutsford, on Thursday, November 17.
The ceremony also includes a three course dinner and dancing.
Entry is free, with forms available from necbawards.co.uk.
Anyone is welcome to attend the evening, with tickets priced at £59.50 plus VAT.
Tickets can be booked at necbawards.co.uk.
