Shortlist revealed for the 2026 Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards

A total of 27 different organisations remain in the running for the prestigious annual accolades, with the leading figures at the helm of three of the category contenders also competing for the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year title - underling the strength and drive of those now shortlisted.

Start-Up award entries were also up 33 per cent, further reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit that abounds in the region.

It is the third edition of the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards under the tenure of talent champion Simon Jones and events specialist Jane Smallwood, and the level of support generated has surpassed even that garnered for last year's silver anniversary celebration.

And with the quality of entries also praised, the gala celebration promises to be another great night under the guidance of top television host Gethin Jones, when it is held next month.

Simon said: "Our partnership numbers are incredible this year, the highest we've seen since taking the awards on, and we see that as a real show of confidence in what we're delivering.

"The strength and depth of the submissions have been extremely good, and we feel that is a result of the whole process being taken a lot more seriously."

Judging of the nominations has been made more rigorous, moving from a desktop exercise with independent representatives of the business community, to in-person interviews and site visits by a far wider supporting cast.

Entries closed last month, launching the process.

Jane said: "Since taking the awards baton on from Reach Plc, who remain our media partner, we've refreshed the judging process – taking it from a paper exercise to a deep dive with face-to-face meetings. We feel it enhances the credibility of the accolades, and this is reflected in the quality of our contenders."

Headline partner is For Entrepreneurs Only, with three new principal partners also involved in 2026 - BAE Systems, H&H and Siemens Gamesa. They join East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Fred, Future Humber, GW Power, Horncastle Group, Hull City Council, Hull Live, KCOM, MKM, Sewell Group and University of Hull, with event partners Cobus Communications, DoubleTree by Hilton, Fisher Security and Soanes Poultry also supporting.

Winners will be crowned at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Hull on Thursday, November 19. There will be a dozen awards presented, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, with packages of support tailored to the individual category, again part of the deeper focus on a richer event, taking it beyond the night. Tickets will be available through the website - www.heybusinessawards.co.uk - priced at £90 plus VAT each or £850 plus VAT for a table of 10, from Monday (October 19).

The Hull & East Yorkshire Business Awards 2026 shortlist:

Rising Star Award

Oliver Cook, The One Point Group Bradley Homes, Siemens Gamesa

Kaitlin Lander, C4DI

Entrepreneur of the Year

Peter Lawford, Managing Director, Sirius Homecare Ben Roman, Founder, Reaply / Little Astronauts Paul Tennison, Owner, The Brush Bus

Innovation Award

Concrete Youth GMP Manufacturing Ltd Humber Violence Prevention Partnership / NHS Humber Health Partnership

Environmental & Sustainability Award

Bishop Burton College Tate William’s Den

Charity of the Year

Hull Truck Theatre PAUL for Brain Recovery The Hinge Centre

Team of the Year

Humber Violence Prevention Partnership Siemens Gamesa Sirius Homecare Team

Best Place to Work

Concrete Youth Forrester Boyd Chartered Accountants Ideal Heating

Start-Up Business of the Year

Bright Edge Networks Little Astronauts Stamp Brothers

Small Business of the Year

FR Scott Informed Financial Planning Ridings

Growth Award

Adams & Green Ltd Hull What’s On The Brush Bus Ltd

Large Business of the Year

Integra Buildings Ltd Tate The One Point Group

Lifetime Achievement Award

To be announced on the evening