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Nottinghamshire Business Awards

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

We've had so many great entries so far and the team is working hard to shortlist ready for the finalists to be announced at the President's Celebration and Annual Dinner.

If you have any questions about your applications or the deadline please contact events@emc-dnl.co.uk.

Our Awards

Digital Transformation Award

Award Shortlist

Intelligent Decisioning

Champions Speakers

Blue Stamp Travel

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.

Sponsored by

CSR Leadership Award

Award Shortlist

Portland Charity

Champions Speakers

Klir Online

Duncan & Toplis

Cartwright

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.
Judges are looking for organisations which have a process of identifying issues in communities and how these have been addressed.

Sponsored by

Collaboration of the year Award

Award Shortlist

West Nottinghamshire College

Murphy and Son

Charlie and Jane

Inspiring Leaders

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.

Sponsored by

Green business of the year Award

Award Shortlist

Buckles Law

Tithe Green Natural Burial

Baxter Freight

CM Ward

Eastwood Hall

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.

Sponsored by

Commitment to People Development Award

Award Shortlist

Your IT Department

West Nottinghamshire College

Vaughandale Construction

Wonderpack Eco

Duncan & Toplis

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.

Sponsored by

Apprentice of the Year Award

Award Shortlist

Oliver Whitehouse – Murphy and Son

George Pursglove – Vaughandale Construction

Leon Clark – Your IT Department

Jak Bailey – Express Recruitment

Ben King – Portland College

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.

Sponsored by

Excellence in International Growth Award

Award Shortlist

BatFast

Skins Sexual Health

Badgemaster

PAB Languages Centre

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

Sponsored by

Education & Business Award Partnership of the Year

Award Shortlist

West Nottinghamshire College

South Nottinghamshire Academy

Access Training (East Midlands)

 

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.

Sponsored by

Excellence in Customer Service Award

Award Shortlist

Champions Speakers

Blue Stamp Travel

Lion Secure Despatch

Copley Scientific

Anoki Nottingham

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.

Sponsored by

Micro Business of the year Award

Award Shortlist

Cosy Garden Rooms

Tithe Green Natural Burial

Step Recruitment

Sherwood Observatory Planetarium & Science Centre

Intelligent Decisioning

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
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.

Sponsored by

Small Business of the year Award

Award Shortlist

Arctic Cabins

Children’s Sensory Therapy

Lion Secure Despatch

First Enterprise

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.

Sponsored by

Innovation of the year Award

Award Shortlist

BatFast

Air IT

Booth Station

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.

Sponsored by

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 Nottinghamshire. 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 Seen. Be Celebrated. Be There.