A number of Gwent businesses have been named as finalists for the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Welsh Business Awards.

The 18th year for the awards has seen an impressive number of applicants for the 10 categories, all vying for top place.

Across the 10 categories, 38 companies have been announced as finalists, all of whom represent innovation, growth and success across Wales.

Finalists from the area include Convey Law, which is a finalist in three categories: Employer of the Year, Customer Commitment and Workplace Wellbeing.

Newport-based Atlantic Service Company is shortlisted in the Export Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories, as well as CashCalc and Pallet Recycling South Wales, both from Newport, and Caerphilly-based Team Metalogic Ltd, which are up for the High Growth Business of the Year award.

Wilsons Auctions, which has a base in Newport, is shortlisted in the Best Use of Technology category. And Reid Lifting, Chepstow, is in the running for the title of Small Business of the Year.

Heather Myers, CEO of South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “These awards showcase the best of Wales, across all sizes of business and all sectors.

"We celebrate Welsh SMEs in all forms; the family businesses, the exporters, the high growth, and the small business. They have all played a vital role in employing local people, creating jobs, investing in wellbeing, being part of their community and driving the Welsh economy.

“These awards are a small way of recognising all their hard work, efforts, risks taken and sleepless nights that being in business means. I am delighted the South Wales Chamber, through these awards, is leading that salute."

USW Exchange, which is based at the University of South Wales, is headline sponsors for this year's awards.

Other sponsors are Western Power Distribution, NPTC Group, Celtic Manor and ICC, Atradius, Cardiff Blues and Aspen Waite, Milford Waterfront, Welsh Government, CGI, Harlequin Print Group, Karolo and Bevan Buckland LLP.

The full list of finalists is available on the awards’ website at: www.southwaleschamber.co.uk/awards/.

Winners will be announced on March 5 at the City Hall in Cardiff.