YORK based wireless communica-tions specialist Cellhire has been shortlisted in the HSBC Global Connections competition.

The 45 regional finalists, of which Cellhire, based in Clifton Park, is one, represent businesses across the UK which show the innovation, distinctiveness and strategic thinking that makes them future global players.

The regional finals will be held in June when a panel of judges will whittle the list down to select national finalists before the overall winners for 2014 are decided.

Tim Williams, Cellhire’s chairman and chief executive said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted out of so many businesses across the UK.”

“HSBC’s recognition of our progress expanding globally is greatly appreciated and I am very much looking forward to June.”

The next 12 months will see Cellhire supply competing teams, key sponsors and the world’s media with telecoms as they attend the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Over the past three years, the HSBC Global Connections competition has sent 138 businesses to International Exchanges in some of the world’s fastest-growing markets and awarded access to more than £3 billion in funding.

Recent successes for the business have included delivering more than 15,000 connections at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

The business, which was founded in 1987, has also provided wireless solutions for events such as the UEFA Euro finals and the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2005 Cellhire won the Queens Award for International Enterprise as a result of its success as a specialist in the delivery of communications solutions for events around the world.