Bents Garden & Home MD Matthew Bent has been shortlisted for two awards in this year’s North West Institute of Director Awards, recognising the region’s top business owners and leaders.

Matthew has been shortlisted for the titles of Young Director of the Year and Family Business of the Year, with Bents competing against companies including Seamark plc and construction company Pochin for the latter of the two titles.

Bents Garden & Home was established in 1937 by Alfred and Margaret Bent and remains a family-owned and run business, now in its third generation. The centre is located just metres away from where the business originally began and has evolved from a small rose growing operation to a company which now employs more than 300 people.

Matthew will learn whether he has been successful in winning the titles at a black tie event which is due to take place at the end of February. He says: “To be shortlisted in such prestigious business awards is already a major achievement and one which I will always be very proud of.”

The North West Institute of Directors awards cover a wide geographical area with entries from across the region including Cheshire, Manchester, Cumbria, Merseyside and Lancashire. The awards cover an extensive range of sectors from the digital and creative industries to property, pharmaceutical, retail and social enterprise.