Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “The award-wining People Make Glasgow brand perfectly encapsulates the heart of this city and those remarkable people who make it so great.

“The People Make Glasgow award channels this ethos and has been created to recognise and reward those deserving individuals or businesses who have gone above and beyond to support Glasgow’s economic and cultural climates.”

Last year, Glasgow Film Festival was among the winners. Festival co-director Allison Gardner, said: “It was a real honour for Glasgow Film Festival to be recognised as overall winner in the Arts & Culture award.

“The award was the icing on the cake of GFF’s 10th birthday celebrations, and confirmed that the festival has been wholeheartedly embraced by this wonderful city that we love. As a festival that always seeks to put the audience first, that made us feel fantastic.”

Now in their third year, the Inspiring City awards aim to drive Glasgow’s reputation as a city of commerce and culture. This year there are 11 categories including success in sport, environment, industry and culture. One individual or organisation will also be presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award on the night.

Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of St Enoch Centre, said: “Hosting last year’s Commonwealth Games was a huge boost for Glasgow on the world stage. It also gave us a fantastic platform to continue developing the city and making it a great place to visit, live and work.”

The St Enoch Centre is supporting the Legacy category. “Entrants could include businesses that have won contracts and created new jobs and individuals or organisations that have campaigned to secure facilities or services that will enhance and enrich our communities.”

Professor John Lennon, is assistant vice principal of Glasgow Caledonian University, which is the sponsor of the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

“As a university for the Common Good, the promotion of corporate social responsibility, combined with responsible business management, underpins teaching, learning and research activities at Glasgow School for Business and Society to inform and inspire our graduates, the business leaders who will continue to make our city great.”

Stephen Flynn, vice chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd, spoke of the company’s support for the Education award: “The city’s education sector is one which the executive committee, staff, members and drivers of Glasgow Taxis Ltd hold dear to their hearts.

“From taking youngsters to school in the morning and transporting students around the city at night to our ongoing support for the Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund’s annual trip to Troon for children with special educational needs, education is a huge part of the service we provide around the clock day in, day out.

“That gives us a unique insight into Glasgow’s nurseries, schools, colleges and universities and we know that behind the doors of all of these there are individuals – or indeed the institution itself – doing amazing things to support the young people in our wonderful city. ”

The Outstanding Contribution by a Young Business Leader (under 35) is being sponsored by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Chairman Andrew Robertson said: “It’s important that we encourage the achievements and ambitions of our young business leaders. As business leaders of tomorrow their vision and originality will be the driving force in Glasgow over the coming years.”

Duncan McDougall, director of Commercial and International Business at Glasgow Clyde College, said that the college was proud to sponsor the Industry and Business category. “Our city has great businesses and brilliant people.”

Susan Fouquier, regional managing director, business banking Scotland, said: “Glasgow is an inspiring place to do business.  “At the Royal Bank of Scotland we are privileged enough to work with some outstanding companies and organisations who not only contribute to the city’s commercial success, but add to its character and culture.  “Across Glasgow there are businesses led by individuals who go that extra mile with their commitment and effort, helping inspire staff, peers and the people they serve.  “We are delighted to be able to support the Inspiring Business Leader category and give these individuals the recognition they deserve.”

Leona Seaton, Programme Manager, Developing the Young Workforce – Glasgow, said:  “A key driver behind Glasgow’s Developing the Young Workforce is to support the Scottish Government priority of stronger industry engagement in education.  We know that there are some strong examples of where these partnerships can work extremely well, delivering brilliant outcomes for the young people involved.  This category gives us the opportunity to identify and highlight existing best practice.  It also lets other interested schools, colleges; universities and business see what can be achieved. Our own Inspiring500 campaign which attracts business mentors to disadvantage young people in schools is an example of how these programmes can work.  We are hoping to attract a good number of entrants who can display strong links between industry and education and show what a powerful impact it can have on raising attainment and aspiration in young people”

Anna Doran, Virgin Trains General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services, said: “The environment is high on our agenda at Virgin Trains and we’re looking forward to hearing what businesses in Glasgow have done to champion change and lead the way in moving towards a low-carbon economy.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “It is a real privilege for us to be sponsoring the Life Time Achievement award in 2015 – after all, it is the people who make this city so special.  “It is true what they say – people really do make Glasgow, and throughout our history we have enjoyed a well-earned reputation for our friendly and entrepreneurial spirit.  There are so many people and organisations that have dedicated their time to the development of the city, and they deserve huge credit for making Glasgow such a fantastic place to live, work and invest.  “We look forward to another fantastic Inspiring City Awards ceremony later this year.”

Entry is free and nominations must be submitted by the deadline is Thursday, July 23, 2015.