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Derbyshire Business Awards

The East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2025/26 for Derbyshire will be held at Pride Park Stadium on Thursday 26 March 2026. At the awards ceremony, we will crown the winners of 12 categories. Could you be the one celebrating?

The below gives a taster of what each category covers, for full details and how to enter, click on the link at the bottom of the page.

Deadline for applications - 19 September

Categories and sponsors

Celebrating business success across Derbyshire

The awards have categories to help you celebrate the amazing work you undertake every day.

Thank you to all of our sponsors for all of their support.

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Digital Transformation Award

This award recognises a business that has successfully implemented a specific technology project which has significantly contributed to measurable business growth, operational improvements, or return on investment (ROI).

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CSR Leadership Award sponsored by University of Derby

This award recognises a business that is able to demonstrate how activities have made a positive impact on specific social issues affecting their local community.

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Collaboration of the year Award

Collaboration is what drives success. In this category we want to hear about where two or more separate organisations have collaborated on a project with successful outcomes for those involved.

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Green business of the year Award

This award is open to organisations who can demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact on the environment through greener ways of working.

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Commitment to People Development Award, sponsored by Derby College Group

This award recognises organisations which demonstrate a firm commitment to people development and the implementation and promotion of a learning and development culture, as well as how employee wellbeing is supported.

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Apprentice of the Year Award

This award recognises the rising stars who will become the business leaders of tomorrow.

The award is open to all current or past apprentices of any age who can demonstrate they have made an exceptional contribution to their workplace.

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Excellence in International Growth Award, sponsored by Ashgates

This award recognises the strength of local businesses which trade internationally and demonstrate strategies for growth and increases in their international activity.

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Education & Business Award Partnership of the Year

This award is aimed at schools, colleges, further and higher education and training providers.

Entrants must demonstrate examples of partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills.

Your application must be able to demonstrate and quantify the positive impact on business.

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Excellence in Customer Service Award, sponsored by Howdens

This award is open to businesses who can demonstrate they deliver industry-leading standards of service.

Entrants should provide evidence on how they exceed customer expectations.

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Micro Business of the year Award

Applicants must be able to demonstrate current activity to grow market share and the positive effect this is having on business performance.

This award is fully inclusive for all sectors, including charities, social enterprises, and community interest companies who employ 1-10 employees and have a turnover of up to £1m

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Small Business of the year Award

Applicants must be able to demonstrate current activity to grow market share and the positive effect this is having on business performance.

This award is fully inclusive for all sectors, including charities, social enterprises, and community interest companies who employ 11 – 50 employees and have a turnover of above £1m.

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Innovation of the year Award

This award is open to businesses who have introduced innovative new ideas, methods, products, services, or processes that have added value to its business and given it a competitive edge.

We want to hear about your businesses innovative aims to solve problems, meet customer needs more effectively, or capitalise on new opportunities to drive growth and profitability.

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Business of the Year

The Business of the Year award is chosen by the judges from the winners of the other individual award categories. The business of the year is awarded to a business which has shown excellence in their field and is an exemplar to all other businesses within Derbyshire. It will showcase the quality of businesses and the expertise within the county.

We hope one, if not more of the above categories inspires you to enter. Last year we received some amazing entries which showcased the work of businesses from across the East Midlands. This year, we would love to hear even more!

Be there. Be celebrated. Be seen.

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