THE second half of the shortlist for the 2011 Regional Business Awards is announced today, adding seven companies to the list of potential winners.

The winners of nine award categories will be unveiled at the awards dinner, which takes place on Thursday, June 23, at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

The KPMG Business of the Year – which has previously been won by outstanding firms including Home Bargains owner TJ Morris, Cammell Laird and Princes Foods – will be fought out between logistics group Stobart, vouchers and gift card firm Park Group, and Skelmersdale-based Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes.

The footwear manufacturer is the only company this year to be shortlisted for two awards.

Hotter is up against Real Good Food Company for the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year Award.

The pair will be looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, AEV, the Birkenhead manufacturer of electrical varnishes and resins. Competing for the Liverpool John Moores University Knowledge Business of the Year Award are three very different technology firms.

AIMES Grid Services is at the forefront of the city’s attempts to keep pace with IT services, in particular off-site server hosting and disaster recovery.

Human Recognition Systems develops systems that recognise people by scanning their hands or their eyes.

They are joined by MerseyBIO firm Redx Pharm, which develops new drugs based on existing compounds.

Journalist-turned-dancing sensation John Sergeant will be hosting the event on behalf of the Liverpool Daily Post, a title he used to work for as a young reporter.

Mr Sergeant has previously worked as a politics reporter for the BBC and ITN, and famously withdrew from the 2008 Strictly Come Dancing after a storm of protests about his success in the competition.

TO BOOK places at this year’s event, please call 0151 472 2422. Single places cost £95 plus VAT. A table of ten is £950 plus VAT.