The biggest night in the Tayside and Fife business calendar has finally arrived.
Tonight almost 700 guests will converge on the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee for the fifth annual Courier Business Awards, held in association with Henderson Loggie.
The gala black-tie event is the culmination of a six-month-long process to identify the best and brightest of the business world in Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire.
Each of the shortlisted awards finalists has gone through a rigorous judging process which involved their applications being scrutinised by a panel of business experts led by Clydesdale Bank chairman and proud Dundonian Jim Pettigrew.
All of the companies also received a site visit from a senior staff member from The Courier and a representative of Henderson Loggie.
A total of 23 awards will be presented at tonight’s event, with categories including Family, Services, Manufacturing Business, Apprentice and Entrepreneur of the Year.
For the second year running and back by overwhelming demand, TV broadcaster, writer, former MP and The One Show star Gyles Brandreth will preside over the awards as host.
Courier Editor-in-Chief Richard Neville said it promised to be a spectacular evening, with one or two surprises for guests along the way.
He said the awards process showed just how vibrant the economy of Tayside and Fife is.
More than 140 entries were received for the scheme this year, with submissions covering business from all sectors and of every size and shape.
Mr Neville, a member of the business awards judging panel, said such was the strength in depth of the applications it was a real achievement for companies to even make the shortlist.
“All of our shortlisted finalists should be rightly proud,” he said.
“The judging process for The Courier Business Awards is rigorous with my fellow judges, our staff and our partners having given over countless hours and racked up hundreds of miles in the search for the best in business in Courier Country.
“Even after five years the awards continue to amaze and inspire, unearthing the brilliant business gems that make Courier Country such a vibrant place to live and work.
“I look forward to celebrating that success at the awards tonight.”