The headline sponsor will be HSBC, which is currently building a new national head office in Birmingham city centre to serve its personal and business customers.

Nigel Hinshelwood, head of UK and deputy chief executive of HSBC, which is set to have one of the biggest workforces in Birmingham, employing more than 3,500 staff by mid-2017, said: “Having just signed a three-year sponsorship package with the Press Club, we look forward to being associated for the first time with such a prestigious event.

“The media awards have been an important part of the Press Club calendar for many years and I am sure that this year’s entries will again reflect the professionalism of journalists from throughout the East and West Midlands.”

Press Club president Bob Warman added: “Each year, we have seen the standard of entries getting higher and higher – befitting of such a flagship event – and I have no doubt that the judging panel will again have some difficult choices to make.”

Entries are now being received for the awards, which include 22 categories ranging from Newspaper of the Year (won last year by The Tamworth Herald) to Blogger of the Year. Entries will initially be scrutinised by a panel of 40 professionals who will then submit a shortlist to the final judging panel.

Ticket prices have again been pegged at £79.95 + VAT for individuals, while tables of ten are available at £725 + VAT.