Nominations are now open for the 2016 UK Private Business Awards - often referred to as the Diamonds - which celebrate the best of UK private businesses and their contribution to communities and the UK economy.

Private businesses across the UK are urged to share their stories by nominating themselves in one or more of the 10 categories:

• Technology Innovation of the Year
• Social Enterprise of the Year
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year
• International Business of the Year
• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
• Private Business Woman of the Year
• CEO of the Year
• Family Business of the Year
• Private Business of the Year

Brian Henderson, partner and UK Private Business Award’s leader at PwC, commented: 

“The UK Private Business Awards are now in their sixth year and celebrate the best of the private sector. The Awards recognise achievements and the important contribution that entrepreneurs and private businesses make to the UK economy.

“The Awards categories allow a broad range of companies and individuals to participate and reflect the ever increasing diversity in the private business landscape.”

The 2016 awards will be judged by a panel of business leaders and entrepreneurs on 27 June.

The nomination period runs from 22 February 2016 to 15 April 2016. The deadline for submitting a full entry form is 9 May 2016. The awards shortlist will be announced on 29 June 2016 and the winners of the UK Private Business Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on 15 September 2016 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1. 

To find out more about the awards or to nominate a business, visit www.privatebusinessawards.com. Don't forget to follow all of the news via @UKPBA_Awards or using the hashtag: #PBA16.

To view last last years winners click here.