Engineers, entrepreneurs, pioneers and marketeers — all these and more are represented among the individuals and firms shortlisted in the Oxfordshire Business Awards.

Judges deliberated long and hard after sifting through almost 350 entries — a new record — to come up with the final three in each category.

All will now be represented at the gala dinner on June 21 when the winners will be revealed in front of an audience of 500 people — the biggest event on the county’s business calendar.

Banbury-based Norbar, which manufactures torque wrenches and other high-tech tools, has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year category, while managing director Neill Brodey is in the final three for the Business Person of the Year.

Sales and marketing director Philip Brodey said: “We employ 270 people in Oxfordshire and we are looking for 30 more this year which will give us 300 over two sites.

“The average length of time an employee stays with us is 10 years and we look after our people in terms of our induction programme and profit share scheme.”

Mr Brodey, who is cousin of Neill at the family firm founded in 1942, added: “Neill deserves to be nominated as he is hugely influential in our industry.”

Electrocomponents, based at the Oxford Business Park, has been shortlisted for the Marketing Excellence award.

Global marketing director Keith Reville said: “It’s fantastic to be a part of these awards which help to promote the success of companies in the local area.”

Earth Save Products, which supplies innovative green technology including air source heat pumps, has been shortlisted in the Innovation category,

Chairman Harold Wilson said: “We are a young company with some market-leading products, so it is great to be shortlisted."

Cowley recruitment firm Allen Associates has made it to the final three of the Small Business category.

Managing director Kate Allen said: “Naturally we are overwhelmed to have made the shortlist of three finalists from more than 70 businesses to have entered the category.

“We are particularly thrilled bearing in mind that Oxfordshire is well known for the number and quality of its small business sector and competition is fierce.”

Meanwhile, the Donnington Doorstep Family Centre in Townsend Square, Oxford, has made the final three in the Charity and Community category.

Amanda Cooper from the charity said: “We have been working in the community for 28 years but we have never entered any awards before, so we are delighted to be shortlisted.”

And telecommunications firm STL Communications in Witney has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year category.

Managing director Brendon Cross said: “Being shortlisted is fantastic because it recognises our efforts to recruit and retain good staff.”

All the shortlisted organisations and individuals will be guest at the dinner and presentation being held at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on June 21 along with 500 guests from across the business community.

Awards chairman Paul Lowe said: “This was another remarkable batch of entries and yet another record number.

“What really impressed the judges was the quality of entries received not only from past winners but also new entrants.” i