Skills and education is the theme for the 2019 Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards

Entrepreneur of the year, Theresa Popoe, co-founder of the Dandi Patch at last week's launch event

The awards, taking place in March 2019, will focus on how education, training and skills development underpin the need for the Milton Keynes economy and Milton Keynes businesses to increase levels of productivity to allow for successful competition in a post Brexit world.

The launch evening was kindly hosted by Milton Keynes College at the Business and Leadership Centre, Silbury. Guest speakers included Lucian Hudson of The Open University and MKBAA 2018 award winners Cheryl Brimson, COO at Aero Tec Laboratories and Theresa Pope, co-founder of Dandi Patch.

Arena MK was revealed as the brand new location for the 2019 Awards, which can welcome a larger capacity for the popular fixture in the MK business calendar.

Established in 2014, the awards recognise the achievements of a variety of Milton Keynes businesses across many different sizes and sectors.

Within the 14 categories are new and exciting variations to previous awards including Best Training Scheme, Culture & Arts, Leisure & Entertainment and Technology Business.

Broadcaster and voiceover artist Faye Carruthers was announced as the compere for MKBAA 2019.

In line with MKBLP’s pledge, a cheque for £7,500 raised from MKBAA 2018 was presented to Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation.

The donation was made to the trust fund established by MKBLP and the MK Community Foundation which assists start-up businesses in deprived areas of the city.

Entries are now open. To enter the MKBAA or to book a table at the awards ceremony visit www.mkbaa.co.uk