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.

Our Awards

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).
This award is aimed at any organisation that has used technology to help improve business performance in a measurable way.
The judges will be looking for organisations who can demonstrate the use of technology to improve processes, efficiencies or improve customer experience.
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CSR Leadership Award
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.
Any organisation who has implemented CSR activities to make a difference to communities.
Looking for a process of identifying issues in communities and how these have been addressed.

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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.
Organisations that have worked together to complete a set outcome
Entrants must demonstrate the specific benefits and improvements that the collaboration has provided.
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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.
This award is for organisations who want to shout about the work they are doing to have an impact on the environment.
The judges are looking for organisations to be able to demonstrate their thought process of their environmental impact.
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Commitment to People Development Award
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.
This award is for an organisation that put it's people at the core of what it does and wants to be an exemplar to others.
The judges are looking for entrants that can demonstrate how their approach to people has had an impact on their organisation.

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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.
This is for an Apprentice which has shone in their role. They have made a big impact in their workplace
The judges are looking for a leader of tomorrow, who has taken on responsibility to shine within their organisation.
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Excellence in International Growth Award
This award recognises the strength of local businesses which trade internationally and demonstrate strategies for growth and increases in their international activity.
This is for an organisation that trades internationally and has seen growth in this area.
The judges are looking for entrants who have a plan for international markets can alter their tactics to new markets.

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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.
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.
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Excellence in Customer Service Award
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.
Organisations that want to showcase their customer service and the difference that this has made to their organisation
The judges are looking for entrants who can showcase their process for customer service and how they identify areas for improvement.

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

This award for all organisations who employ 1-10 employees and have a turnover of up to £1m.
The judges are looking for entrants who want to shout about their successes. They can showcase how the organisation is growing.

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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.
This award is for all organisations who employ 11 – 50 employees and have a turnover of above £1m.
The judges are looking for entrants who want to shout about their successes. They can showcase how the organisation is growing.
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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.
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.