A HEALTHCARE company which invests in their staff has become the latest sponsor of local business initiative, the Test Valley Business Awards.

Simplyheath, based in Andover, has backed the Employer of the Year Award and will become Gold Sponsors of the accolade.

Open to any business operating within Test Valley, the category aims to recognise local business’ commitments and support for staff in ways that result in success.

The judges are also looking for companies which put staff at the centre of their organisation and have experienced improved business performance through its investment in employees.

Chief operating officer of Simplyhealth Richard Gillies has spoken of the importance of this category and the Test Valley Business Awards.

He said: “At Simplyhealth, our purpose is to help people make the most of life and as sponsor of The Employer of the Year Award, we want to find likeminded businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to investing in their people.

“The Test Valley Business Awards provide a great opportunity to showcase and support the great work being undertaken by businesses in our region and we’re delighted to be involved.”

The Employer of the Year Award is one of six awards categories in this year’s initiative, seeking to celebrate a wide variety of business areas, types, and achievements.

The Test Valley Business Awards 2018 awards categories and Gold Sponsors are:

Innovation & Technology Award - The University of Southampton Science Park

New Business of the Year Award - Test Valley Borough Council

Doing Business Locally Award - Taylored IT

Small Business of the Year Award - Wilkins Kennedy

Employer of the Year Award – Simplyhealth

Businesswoman of the Year Award

To enter and be in with a chance of winning one of the six categories go to tvbawards.org.uk/enternominate before May 11.

Now in its 14th year, the Test Valley Business Awards have become a well-established platform to champion business excellence.