THE Regional Business Awards spotlight falls this week on the awards for small businesses, exporters and corporate social responsibility.

The Royal Mail Small Business of the Year award is open to businesses employing up to 50 people that can demonstrate all round business excellence.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “SMEs play a vital role in creating wealth and boosting economic growth and we offer a range of products to help them grow.

“Our website provides the UK’s 4m small and medium-sized businesses with information and advice, including how to create mail shots, buy postage online, and an overnight parts delivery service.

“Post offices, too, offer a number of useful services to small businesses, including banking, secure cash collection and van insurance.”

The O2 Corporate Social Responsibility Award will be presented to the private sector business or individual judged to have the best history of taking into account the effect of the business operations on the community and the economy. This can include companies that give time or money to charities or the voluntary sector.

An O2 spokesperson said: “Good local relationships help to enhance our reputation so we try to connect with people and projects in the areas where we work. One of our largest customer service centres is at Preston Brook, near Runcorn, so we are delighted to once again support the awards.

“O2 has a long tradition of giving something back to the community. There is a great can do spirit across the business, and we encourage and nurture it by supporting people and ideas that make our environment better. By doing our best to address our social and environmental responsibilities, we aim to gain loyal customers, happy employees and wider society’s trust.”

The KLM Export Business of the Year will go to the company that can demonstrate a substantial and sustained increase in export activity – and the degree to which the overseas trade has benefited the region’s economy.

A KLM spokesperson said: “We are proud to sponsor the export award and honour a member of Liverpool's business community for demonstrating their substantial and sustained commitment to export activity.

“KLM, alongside its SkyTeam partners, connects Liverpool to over 800 worldwide destinations via its award- winning hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

“The airline’s extensive network opens Merseyside up to international travel and enables businesses to trade worldwide from the comfort and convenience of their local airport.

“This year, KLM will sponsor Shanghai-Expo offering smooth, seamless travel to those companies looking to further their business abroad.”