Liverpool Chamber has announced the shortlist for this year’s Innovation in Business Awards.

The eclectic list reflects the breadth of the Liverpool City Region economy, most notably in the International Award category, where robotics, workboats, merchandise, domestic appliances, pharmaceutical technology, customs brokerage, vacuum coating and endotoxin detection all feature.

Cancer screening specialist Rutherford and engineering firm Sutcliffe are each represented in three separate categories, while Enterprise Holdings, Marine Specialised Technology and Booker Flowers & Gifts each have two shortlisted nominations.

Third sector and community organisations are also well-represented, with Everton in the Community, I Am Moore both collecting two shortlisted nominations, while Chasing The Stigma and Nugent both being shortlisted. Liverpool Hope University, Hugh Baird College and Be Ethical Training are also shortlisted from the education sector.

The awards celebrate the spirit of innovation that has driven the recovery of many local businesses during the pandemic. Within each category, there is a traditional award to an outstanding business in the field alongside a special award for an innovator that has confronted and overcome the challenges of the past 18 months.

Categories include Skills & Employability, International, Environmental & Responsible Business, Young Person and Local Hero. The winners of each will then be put forward as Liverpool Chamber’s nominees for the national Chamber Business Awards.

A full list of shortlisted candidates can be found here. This will now be put to a public vote which will account for 50% of the final decision alongside an independent judging panel.

Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber, said:

“We have received an incredibly high standard of nominations and we congratulate those businesses who have been shortlisted. The mix of nominees demonstrates the bustling diversity of organisations that are now based and prospering in the Liverpool City Region.

“Innovation underpins everything at this year’s awards, from separate prizes for innovation to the hybrid multi-venue event experience designed to maximise the comfort and safety of our guests.

“It promises to be a truly special night and a spectacular showcase for the dozens of local organisations that continue to deliver success through innovation.”

The awards event takes place on Thursday 18 November at the new Innside by Melia hotel in Liverpool city centre and a ‘Green Room’ experience for additional guests is being held at Dwntwn in Harrington Street. All guests from both venues will be invited to its larger, adjacent venue Alibi for an aftershow party, with complimentary guest travel from the main awards event and welcome drinks receptions at all venues.

To vote, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LiverpoolChamberAwards21. Anyone wishing to attend the event should please visit https://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/events/innovation-in-business-awards-2021/.