Truly remarkable achievements and pioneering work are to be highlighted and honoured at this year’s in-Cumbria Business Awards.

With just nine days until the 2020 edition of the annual event which crowns the best businesses and personnel across the county, Newsquest Cumbria’s Sales Manager for the north of the county, Emily Wood, has highlighted what she is looking forward to.

Vassos Alexander, best known as co-presenter of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio and host of the Parkrun podcast, will be the face of this year’s awards and announcing the selected winners across the 11 prizes on offer over the event including the very coveted lifetime achievement award.

Looking ahead to the event next week, Emily Wood said: “The in-Cumbria Business Awards are a mainstay in the business calendar, and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to celebrate 2020, in spite of the unique challenges that they have affected not only business life, but life as we know it. We may not be able to arrange a singing waiter serenade, or raise a few glasses with colleagues in person, but we sincerely hope the new format is entertaining and unique, and that you’ll join us in raising a virtual toast!

“Out of every crisis, comes opportunity and there is so much evidence of pioneering work taking place in our county. The entries this year were at a record high; with some truly remarkable achievements given we are living through a global pandemic.

“The support from our sponsors has been tremendous, and that’s what’s allowed us to pursue this brand-new online format. I particularly want to thank our associate sponsors NRL who jumped at the change to partner with us while the virtual event idea was still in its inception. They recognised early on how vital it is to celebrate and share Cumbrian success, even if it meant we could not have the usual 3 course dinner or meet Vassos Alexander in person! Likewise, our individual awards sponsors need recognising, we are grateful to them for joining us as the in-Cumbria Business Awards breaks new ground.

“Whilst we can’t recreate the atmosphere a room of 300 guests generates, we’re going to try our best to make the county feel connected, so please use social media and the interactive chat wall to share congratulations and selfies of you at home in your finery! Please encourage your colleagues, family and friends to also join us: the virtual format means the more the merrier! At least we can more widely share these memorable moments. We hope you all have a fantastic evening.”

Taking place interactively via a live stream due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, this year’s unique event will start at 7pm on Thursday 12th November.

You can help recognise the best Cumbrian businesses by signing up to watch the event here: https://icba.sparq.me.uk/