Boutique breweries, innovative material companies and iconic British brands are among the businesses short-listed in a competition to find the ‘Great faces of British Business’.

The competition involves a public vote and 32 regional winners vying for the top prize in three categories: best exporter, most innovative business and best growth story.

The top prize will be announced by a national judging panel in March.

The overall winner will receive a custom advertising campaign worth £30,000, an iPad Air and unlimited BT wifi for 12 months.

Also among the prizes is a package of export support from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), a partner of the Business is Great campaign which is running the competition.

Public voting will contribute half of the final decision and voting closes on 23 February with winners announced on 3 March. See the link at the bottom of this article for details.

Commenting on the shortlist, business minister Matthew Hancock said: “The businesses which have been shortlisted are brilliant examples of successful small firm runs by enterprising and hardworking people.

“We are backing them all the way and, with the advice and support on offer, there has never been a better time to start and grow a business in the UK.”

Steve Rathborne at BT added: “Great Britain has a pedigree of producing innovative and successful businesses and leaders, and the regional winners that have been selected are proof that Great Britain is still producing these businesses.”