It’s here at last... the Bradford Means Business Awards 2013.

Since launching this year’s awards in January, we’ve been bowled over by the number and quality of nominations we’ve received. This is the third consecutive year we’ve run the awards, with our partners Bradford Council and the Bradford Chamber, and the awards just keep getting better.

The stage is now set for our glittering gala awards night on Saturday, June 8, when each of our 11 awards will be announced. There will be a run-down of each of the shortlists, with video presentations on the three companies, groups or individuals who have made the final grade.

Then there will be a representative from each of the sponsors – without whom these awards could not happen – who will come to the stage and open the golden envelope to reveal who is the winner in each category.

The final category, the Winner of Winners, is drawn from the top-placed entrants in each of the ten previous categories, so someone will be going home with two awards on the night.

Once again, the gala evening will be hosted by internationally-renowned MC and compere Jon Hammond, who is based in West Yorkshire.

The former broadcaster these days spends much of his time travelling the world coaching top people in presentation skills – but his ability to make an event go with a swing is also well known to many local organisations.

A former BBC and commercial regional television and radio presen-ter and interviewer, Jon is renowned for his ability to involve audiences and make people feel comfortable. He has hosted a wide range of events, including Wembley cup finals attended by 80,000 people and has also appeared before the Queen and other members of the royal family. Through his company, the Catapult Group, Jon focuses on advising leaders on a new approach to effective corporate and personal communication.

Our keynote speaker is Peter Marks, who has just stepped down after more than 40 years with the Co-Operative group. You can read more about Peter on this page.

And Bradford Council leader Coun David Green will be delivering a speech at our regular venue, the Aagrah Midpoint suite in Thornbury.

Perry Austin-Clarke, editor of the Telegraph & Argus, said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again work with our partners Bradford Council and the Bradford Chamber, and all the sponsors who have put their backing into the awards, to bring you the Bradford Means Business Awards for a third year.

“The breadth of expertise and passion among the Bradford business community has once again proved so impressive, and everyone who has made the short-list should rightly feel proud.”