THEY are looking for the best of the best.

The prestigious Trethowans Overall Winner’s Award will again be the blue riband category of this year’s South Coast Business Awards 2014, chosen from one of the winners in the eight individual categories opposite.

Judges are looking for a firm which can prove it has a strong commitment to the Solent region, the people and the environment.

Any businesses in the region demonstrating skilful business planning, clever marketing and sound financials will be in the running.

To clinch the accolade the company will also need to demonstrate that it has signs of growth and development, showing excellence in all aspects of business performance while getting ahead of competitors.

Again Trethowans, which employs more than 140 people, is sponsoring the award.

Simon Rhodes, managing partner at Trethow-ans, said: “We are looking to find the best of the best.

“There are loads and loads of success stories so it will be hard to pick a winner.

“It is going to be the best overall business that shows what it has done in the last 12 months, the one which has been leading the way in the region but hopefully nationally and globally as well.

“Some will bring fantastic international sales, innovation or technical development, others will bring fantastic growth or increasing turnover and profit.”

Organised by the Daily Echo in association with Southampton and Salisbury-based law firm Trethowans the awards aim to raise standards, encourage competition and recognise business excellence.

They are being run in partnership with Business South and Destination Southampton.

Mr Rhodes said: “What the awards are trying to celebrate are the biggest success stories from the region.

“Quite a number of businesses are below the radar because while there are businesses that are well known in the region there are others that are better known outside the region or abroad.”

He added: “There are definitely some hidden secrets within the region – and the South Coast Business Awards are trying to publicise these good news stories.”

The South Coast Business Awards will be held at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on July 11, where a total of nine prestigious awards will be handed out to the region’s top firms.

Jacqueline Gold, the chief executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox, will be the guest speaker.

To buy tickets for this prestigious event, visit dailyecho.co.uk/scba