With entries for the inaugural South Wales Argus Business Awards finally closing at midnight tonight (July 31), we meet some of the companies and organisations which have stepped up as sponsors.

Lead sponsor: Newport Now Business Improvement District

THE Newport Now Business Improvement District is solidly behind the South Wales Argus Business Awards 2018.

The Newport Now BID, has its office in the Riverfront Theatre, Kingsway, Newport, which works to promote and support businesses in the centre of the city, is lead sponsor of the awards.

As part of the lead sponsor package, Newport Now BID is also sponsors of the Business of the Year Award as well as Best BID Independent Business of the Year and Best BID National Business of the Year. The two latter awards are solely open for entry by Newport Now BID levy payers.

Kevin Ward, owner Kevin Ward Media which manages and provides public relations services to Newport Now BID, said: “The BID's board of directors, who all own or run businesses in Newport city centre, agreed for the organisation to become headline sponsor of the awards because they felt it important to have an awards scheme based in Newport and recognising some of the tremendous businesses we have in the city centre.

“The BID represents more than 400 city centre businesses and our headline sponsorship has ensured the awards presentation event takes place in the city centre and that two categories are open only to BID Levy payers.

Kevin said: “The profile and publicity generated for businesses which win awards is invaluable. Being an award winner ensures businesses are firmly in the spotlight as being best in their class, and adds prestige to their brands.

“As a daily newspaper editor, I won a number of awards including national titles for Newspaper of the Year and Editor of the Year. These awards helped raise the profile of those papers and instilled a sense of pride and achievement in our staff - and also our customers, who like to be associated with success.”

Lifetime Achievement Award: Newport City Council

NEWPORT City Council is demonstrating its long-standing support for business in the city by sponsoring a key award.

The council, which employs some 6,500 people in the city, is sponsoring the South Wales Argus Business Awards 2018: Lifetime Achievement Award.

Council leader and leader of the Welsh Local Government Association Debbie Wilcox said: “We are fortunate to have many great businesses, and business people, in the city, and I thought the lifetime achievement award would pay tribute to a business or individual that has played an important role in the city over a long period, through the good times and the not-so-good.

“We’re supporting these awards as they highlight our fantastic local businesses.

"In Newport, we have a great number of businesses, of all sizes, serving their local communities, as well as Wales and further afield; employing local people. Providing a wide range of goods and services. They are the lifeblood of a thriving and prosperous city. It is important that a spotlight is turned on them from time to time.

“We’re very happy to show our support in this way as the awards turn the spotlight on business and individuals for all the right reasons, raising awareness of what they do and how well they do it.

“Supporting these awards enables us to show our appreciation for the significant contributions they make to the local economy.

"As a council, we offer support to businesses, whether they are starting up, developing or relocating. Our business support team offers expert advice and practical assistance. We offer financial help through our own business development fund and a partnership with Tata subsidiary UKSE.

“The awards are good as, as well as being applauded and winning recognition for their achievements, it can be a real morale booster for themselves and employees – a feel good factor that is priceless

“Newport City Council has won a number of awards thanks to the innovation and expertise of our dedicated employees. Winning and award is a real boost, not just to the teams involved, but throughout the council.”

Young Entrepreneur Award: Icon Creative Design

LEADING Wales branding and marketing guru Androulla Webb is celebrating 20 years of personal success by supporting a category at the South Wales Argus Business Awards 2018 which is close to her heart.

Androulla, owner and creative director of Icon Creative Design, a past winner of the Gwent Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, has seen her business grow over the past 20 years.

From being based on Stow Hill in the centre of Newport Androulla now employs a team of eight designers and project managers in a restored chapel in Bassaleg, on the outskirts of Newport.

The full service branding and marketing agency works with clients in the arts, education, sports and regeneration sectors.

Icon Creative Design is sponsoring the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category of the South Wales Argus Business Awards 2018.

Androulla said: “We are proud to be based in Newport and have worked on some great projects - creating many of the iconic images for the city including the city dressing for the 2010 Ryder Cup, marketing to support Newport Unlimited’s regeneration master plan, branding of the first Newport Food Festival plus brand creation and marketing campaigns for Friars Walk retail and leisure development in the city.

"As well as working with key partners in Newport, the company has developed a portfolio of work with clients in the arts, education, sports and regeneration sectors including Welsh Government, Swansea University, Harper Adams University, Newbridge Memo, Ballet Cymru, Sport Swansea and sewing machine specialists, Janome UK."

Androulla said: "When Icon was first established my focus was purely on delivering exceptional graphic design; as the nature of the business has grown and customer’s expectations have evolved so too has the company’s repertoire of skills.

“Starting your own business can be challenging but very rewarding. The South Wales Business Awards are a great way to raise your profile and get your story heard. It is also a fantastic marketing opportunity as the Business Argus reaches a wide audience across south east Wales

“I set up Icon in 1998, and as part of our 20th birthday celebrations we wanted to share our story!”