From cheesemakers to social media start ups, wildlife parks to house builders, the line up for this year’s Kent Excellence in Business Awards is as diverse as ever.

The list of 46 nominations in 15 categories for the county’s biggest business awards, known as the KEiBAs, was announced today at the Kent 2020 Vision Live business exhibition at the Kent Event Centre, Detling.

Representing companies from across the county, the shortlist was confirmed at a final judging session on Monday.

Nominees have to wait six weeks to find out who will be crowned Kent’s finest firms at a gala dinner held at Kent Event Centre next month.

A record number of entries were received this year, the seventh time the awards have been held.

Run jointly by the KM Group and Kent County Council, proceeds from the ceremony will go to Kent homeless charity Porchlight and domestic abuse refuge organisation Oasis.

Mark Dance, cabinet member for economic development at Kent County Council, who announced the finalists, said: “As ever the standard of entries was extraordinary and selecting the 46 finalists was a very tough task – it just shows you the calibre of the businesses we have in Kent.

“I’d like to congratulate all of those that have made it this far. The final in June will really allow those finalists to shine.

“I look forward to meeting them all and recognising and promoting their successes and achievements.”

KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists in another record-breaking year for KEiBA entries.

“I was delighted to see such an enthusiastic response from businesses and organisations from across the county.

“Once again, the standard was very high and the judges clearly faced a tough job selecting the best of the best.

“There are some remarkable stories of enterprise, risk-taking and outstanding achievement among all the finalists.

“Reaching this stage really is a benchmark of excellence. I wish all the finalists good luck and very much look forward to hearing the results at the gala dinner in June.”

The gala dinner takes place at the Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, on Thursday, June 25.

Tickets are available at keiba.co.uk.

The full list of finalists for 2015 are:

Large Business of the Year

Chartway Group Ltd, Maidstone

Priority Freight, Dover

Swanstaff Recruitment Ltd, Dartford

Sponsored by Aon Risk Solutions

SME Business of the Year

Cyclepods Ltd, Westerham

Infinity Technology Solutions Ltd, Tunbridge Wells

Sleeping Giant Media, Folkestone

The Fountain Workshop Ltd, Chatham

Sponsored by RIFT Group

Start Up Business of the Year

Digital Contact, Dartford

Rhino Aluminium, Broadstairs

The Strength and Conditioning Institute, Tonbridge

Sponsored by Mid Kent College & DSH Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors

Manufacturing Business of the Year

Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems, Broadstairs

Wire Belt Company Ltd, Sittingbourne

The Alexir Partnership, Edenbridge

Sponsored by asb law LLP & University of Greenwich, BIG -Kent Network

Land Based Business of the Year

Thanet Earth, Birchington

The Rochester Bridge Trust, Rochester

Westerham Brewery, Edenbridge

Sponsored by Brachers LLP & Hadlow Group

Technology Business of the Year

Bedfont Scientific Ltd, Harrietsham

Dovetail Games, Chatham

RDT Ltd, Kings Hill

Sponsored by Cripps & University of Kent

Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year

Finch House Cafe and Bakery, Tonbridge

Howletts Wild Animal Park & Port Lympne Reserve, Lympne

Wingham Wildlife Park, Wingham

Sponsored by Southeastern

Business Commitment to the Community

Hair Professional, Maidstone

Kent County Football Association, Ditton

Neighbourhood Furniture Store, Sittingbourne

Sponsored by Golding Homes

Business Commitment to the Environment

Baxall Construction Ltd, Paddock Wood

Priority Freight, Dover

Winterdale Cheesemakers, Wrotham

Sponsored by UK Power Networks & KCC Low Carbon Kent

Employer of the Year

Dovetail Games, Chatham

Swanstaff Recruitment Ltd, Dartford

Yoyo Design, Tunbridge Wells

Sponsored by Kent Reliance

Success in International Markets Award

Bedfont Scientific Ltd, Harrietsham

Cammegh Ltd, Ashford

Spirit of Remembrance, Upchurch

Sponsored by HSBC & Kent International Business

Customer Service and Commitment Award

mhs homes Ltd, Chatham

RIFT Group, Ashford

Sleeping Giant Media, Folkestone

Sponsored by Headley Brothers Ltd

Entreprenuer of the Year

Mark Anderson, We Love Digital, Maidstone

Mark Mason, Civil Rail Solutions, Ashford

Stephen Rogers, Swanstaff Recruitment Ltd, Dartford

Sponsored by IoD & Creaseys

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Becky Campbell, Reflect Digital Ltd, Maidstone

Bal Sandher, Hectic Lifestyles Ltd, Rochester

Ben Towers, Towers Design, Gillingham

Sponsored by Lloyds Bank & Canterbury College

Apprenticeship of the Year

Joe Kent, Absols Complete IT Solutions, Maidstone

Thomas Unthank, BAE Systems, Rochester

Yasmine Gray, Tribeca Technology Ltd, Chatham

Sponsored by KCC Skills & Employability