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 Categories 2026

Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by TBC

The “Apprentice of the Year” award recognises exceptional contributions by apprentices within our business community. To be eligible, nominees must have successfully completed a relevant qualification as part of their apprenticeship in the last two years or are currently studying. Judges consider factors such as outstanding achievement, commitment to personal development, safety awareness, and positive impact on the workplace. Demonstrating how their learning directly applies to their role is essential.

 

 

 

Business Growth Success Story

Sponsored by Huddersfield Business School 

Small and Medium businesses are the engine of British business and many are growing despite economic conditions and the changes to international trade. Has your business grown despite all the challenges of the past few years? Whatever the size of your organisation – whether it’s run from your spare room or you have offices and hundreds of staff – if you have beaten the odds to deliver growth, we want to know what has made you so successful.

 

Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by Purple Pebble People

Incredible leaders have a ripple effect across everyone they know. If you know someone who has made a real impact in business, this is the category to nominate them. Maybe they have built or transformed a business or created a unique proposition. They could have led a business unit or service through a difficult time, and it emerged stronger as a result. We’re seeking stories of vision, leadership, and success; of calculated risks and grasped opportunities; and of resilience in the face of challenge. It’s not the size of the business that matters, but the size of the difference they made to it.  

We are happy to accept leaders of Wakefield District businesses OR business leaders that reside in the Wakefield District. Proof of residency may be required.

For this category we will accept self-nominations and entries from an organisation for one of their leaders. 

 

Collaboration of the Year

Sponsored by TBC

Have you successfully worked with other businesses from the Wakefield district to create an amazing collaboration? How have you added value to one another’s offer, or how have you helped a local business to even more success? This award will recognise the ways in which we are more than the sum of our parts. Tell us about how the collaboration came about, and how both/all parties have benefitted.

 

Doing Good in Business

Sponsored by TBC

Businesses should be responsible citizens too. This award will be presented to the company with the best corporate social responsibility plan, relative to its size. You don’t have to donate thousands to charity or try to save the world, you just have to be doing your bit to make it a better place. If there’s a link between your activities and your business, even better. Maybe you’re volunteering for a charity close to your heart. Perhaps you’ve given some of your skills for free to a cause that deserves the support. You could have done brilliant work on sustainability and be well on your way to slicing your carbon footprint in half.

You’ll need a plan, a reason why you’ve chosen to do what you do, and a way to demonstrate how you’re making a difference to impress the judges.

 

Employer of the Year – Small/Medium Business (Up to 249 Employees)

Sponsored by Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

Are you a truly outstanding employer? Have you listened to your people and created terms, conditions and an environment which truly helps them to thrive? Are you inclusive, flexible and understanding that people can’t totally switch off what’s going on at home when they come to work? Show us why you are head and shoulders above the rest and should be named Wakefield District employer of the year.

 

Employer of the Year – Large Business (250+ Employees)

Sponsored by TBC

Are you a truly outstanding employer? Have you listened to your people and created terms, conditions and an environment which truly helps them to thrive? Are you inclusive, flexible and understanding that people can’t totally switch off what’s going on at home when they come to work? Show us why you are head and shoulders above the rest and should be named Wakefield District employer of the year.

 

Small or Medium Manufacturer of the Year (Less than £5 million annual turnover) 

Sponsored by TBC

This award recognises a small or medium-sized manufacturing business within the Wakefield district that demonstrates exceptional performance, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Open to self-nominating manufacturers with up to 249 employees, this category celebrates the remarkable achievements of organisations that drive growth, invest in skills, and contribute significantly to Wakefield’s industrial strength. 

Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation in products or processes, operational improvement, sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and overall business impact. This award highlights SMEs that punch above their weight– showcasing resilience, ambition, and a dedication to advancing both their sector and the local economy. 

 

Large Manufacturer of the Year (Over £5 million annual turnover) 

Sponsored by TBC

This award recognises a small or medium-sized manufacturing business within the Wakefield district that demonstrates exceptional performance, innovation, and commitment to excellence. Open to self-nominating manufacturers with up to 249 employees, this category celebrates the remarkable achievements of organisations that drive growth, invest in skills, and contribute significantly to Wakefield’s industrial strength.

Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation in products or processes, operational improvement, sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and overall business impact. This award highlights SMEs that punch above their weight– showcasing resilience, ambition, and a dedication to advancing both their sector and the local economy.

 

Micro or Small Business of the Year – businesses with 0-50 employees

Sponsored by TBC

Micro and small businesses rock too! Tell us about how you are small-but-mighty. Name-drop as much as you want (or are able to) and help the judges understand why you’re making a huge impact with a small team.  

If you’ve had a year to remember, delivered a stand-out project, or just think you and your team deserve your moment in the spotlight, this is your opportunity to show the whole business community why micro and small businesses are not to be under-estimated.  

 

Medium or Large Business of the Year – businesses with more than 50 employees

Sponsored by TBC

Celebrating the contribution that medium and large businesses make to the Wakefield district, this award will be given to an organisation which demonstrates consistent growth, strong financial performance, a deep understanding of its customers and an engaged workforce.  

Show the judges your strategy for sustained success, how you’re harnessing technology and/or why your strategy is paying off. Give them insight and strong evidence to support your story and demonstrate your impact. 

 

Diversity in Business Award 

Sponsored by TBC

Our district is home to more than 20 languages and a wonderfully rich mix of cultures and communities. This award celebrates businesses that embrace that diversity – and do something meaningful with it. 

Whether you’ve worked to make your workplace more inclusive, reached out to communities that are often overlooked, or found creative ways to bring different people together, we want to hear your story. 

Ask yourself: do you actively welcome people from all walks of life? Have you taken steps to make sure everyone feels they belong – as an employee, a customer, or a member of the wider community? 

This award will be judged on: 

Commitment – Do you have a genuine, demonstrable commitment to inclusion, whether that’s in your team, your services, or your community? 

Creativity – How have you broken down barriers or found fresh ways to bring people together? 

Leadership – Have you shared what you’ve learned or inspired others to follow your lead? 

Collaboration – Have you involved diverse voices in shaping what you do, or partnered with others to achieve more together? 

Impact – What did you set out to do, and what difference has it made? Tell us about your goals and what you achieved. 

 

Charity of the Year

Sponsored by TBC

We need our third sector more than ever as issues with the cost of living still have us firmly in their grasp. Charitable organisations fulfil an incredible need, supporting the most vulnerable and providing essential as well as enriching services. If your organisation is a Registered Charity, this is the category for you. THIS CATEGORY IS FREE TO ENTER.

Rising star – for under 30s 

Sponsored by TBC

Do you know an under-30 who’s already making their mark? Maybe they have recently taken on extra responsibilities or gone above and beyond what you’d expect for them. We’re looking for stand-out individuals making a significant contribution to their organisation, whether through improving internal communication, exceeding their targets set or receiving notable recognition from clients and customers. 

Nominees for this category must be 29 or younger on 13 November 2025. Nominations must be made by someone other than the potential rising star! 

Shining Star – for over 30s

Sponsored by TBC

Do you know someone over 30 who continues to excel, inspire and make a real difference? The Shining Star – Over 30s award celebrates individuals who are delivering outstanding impact in their role, demonstrating that ambition, growth and excellence don’t have an age limit.

This category is open to stand-out individuals who consistently go above and beyond expectations — whether through exceptional performance, innovative thinking, leading positive change, mentoring others, or making a significant contribution to their organisation’s success. They may have stepped into greater responsibility, reinvented their career path, or quietly but powerfully raised the bar for those around them.

Nominees for this category must be aged 30 or over on 13 November 2025.
Nominations must be made by someone other than the Shining Star!

Team of the Year

Sponsored by TBC

Teams competing for this award should showcase tangible outcomes. Highlight how your team’s efforts have positively influenced the company or organisaton’s success, growth, or strategic goals.

Describe how your team worked together to overcome obstacles or challenges. Whether it was a complex project, a tight deadline, or unexpected setbacks, emphasise your team’s resilience and problem-solving abilities.

Remember, winning the Team of the Year award is not just about individual achievements; it’s about collective excellence, synergy, and shared success.

 

Outstanding Contribution to the Wakefield District

Sponsored by TBC

This special honour is presented by the Wakefield Business Awards to someone who has made an extraordinary and enduring impact on our district. Selected directly by the awards organisers, this accolade recognises someone whose vision, dedication, and contribution have significantly shaped and strengthened the area’s business community, cultural landscape, or wider civic life.

The award celebrates a person who has consistently gone above and beyond to champion the Wakefield area, driving meaningful progress and leaving a legacy that benefits the district and its people.

The recipient will be announced on the night as a surprise recognition of truly outstanding service to Wakefield.

Would you like to sponsor at the Wakefield Business Awards 2026?

Raise your business profile and be part of celebrating success in the Wakefield District!

Contact Claire@wearewakefield.org.uk for more information.

The Wakefield Business Awards open for entries on 11th May 2026

Ticket Sales open 1st September 2026

See you on the 12th November 2026 at WX Wakefield