The business team at the South Wales Argus is delighted to welcome another sponsor on board for the South Wales Argus Business Awards, which were officially launched last week.

Bassaleg-based Icon Creative Design, which is celebrating 20 years in business this year, has stepped up to sponsor the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category.

The firm joins a host of other sponsors for the awards, which are set to become one of the highlights of the Gwent business calendar.

Sponsors, including Newport Now Business Improvement District, which is the award's headline sponsor, and local business people and councillors gathered at the Riverfront in Newport to celebrate the official launch of the awards.

Newport Now manager Kevin Ward told the meeting that the BID board were delighted to be backing the awards, which will shine a light on the business sector in Newport and the surrounding area.

As part of its sponsorship deal two categories will be only open to BID levy payers. These are for the Best BID Independent of the Year and the Best BID National of the year.

Sponsors of other categories include Western Power Distribution, Newport City Council, MHA Broomfield Alexander, Kymin, and Monmouthshire Building Society.

The event also welcomed Andrea Callanan, of Inspire Me, as the main speaker.

Her energetic and engaging talk focused on the importance of employee engagement and she urged Newport to become a city known for great customer service.

The event was hosted by South Wales Argus business editor Jo Barnes, who said how excited the business team was to officially launch the awards which will become one of the highlights of the local business calendar.

South Wales Argus MD Hussain Bayoomi thanked the sponsors for backing the awards and urged all the businesses present to get their entries in before the July 20 deadline.

The business awards will be presented at an event at the Newport Centre on September 27, 2018.

To enter go to www.southwalesargus.co.uk/awards/business2018/.

For more details on sponsorship packages or to buy tickets to the event contact Matt Berry on 01633 777043 or Samantha Taylor on 01633 777147.

* Andrea Callanan is hosting a seminar on The Human Side of Engagement on June 20 at The Clayton Hotel, Cardiff. The event, which costs £40, is being run from 8.30am to 1pm. To book a place go to: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-human-side-of-engagement-tickets-45287063827