Gloucestershire Business Awards 2026

 

Recognising new businesses established since April 2024 which have set out to exploit a market opportunity, pioneer a new product or service, or simply turn a passion into a viable business. The winning business will already be seeing evidence of the financial success of its hard work.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Switch Health
Switch Health is a specialist adviser in private medical insurance, helping customers not just choose policies, but understand, compare, and manage their cover over time and as their needs change. Switch Health believes private health cover should feel straightforward, not stressful, and provides clear, honest, practical advice and guidance to help people make the right decision, with no jargon and no pressure.
switchhealth.co.uk

2026 Shortlist

Bounce Activations
Cotswold Greenscapes
Cotswolds Designer Outlet
Embrace Renewables
Layers Accountancy
Patch
The Hearing Lounge

 

Recognising bold businesses which have successfully researched, planned and implemented an innovative process, product or service to disrupt their sector. The innovation will have been implemented since April 2024.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Everyman Theatre
Situated in the heart of Cheltenham, the Everyman Theatre is undoubtedly one of Gloucestershire’s finest entertainment venues, hosting a diverse lineup of drama, dance, comedy and music events – not to mention the annual pantomime.
everymantheatre.org.uk

2026 Shortlist

Avantis Education
Cleevely Electric Vehicles
Emerge Digital
Exceptional Thinking (UK)
Griffiths Technical Installations
Nephos Group
PayItMonthly
Pennant International Group
Simplicity
Tuckshop Vending

 

Recognising businesses which have achieved and maintained strong and consistent growth in turnover, profit, market share and/or employment opportunities in the past three years – while also ensuring sustainable financial performance.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
The Growth Hub
The Growth Hub supports businesses of all shapes and sizes across Gloucestershire to realise their potential and maximise growth. Offering fully funded independent business advice, training events and endless online resources, it has a unique network of hubs in Cheltenham, Cirencester, the Forest of Dean, Stroud and Tewkesbury.
thegrowthhub.biz

2026 Shortlist

Cheltenham Independent Financial Advisers
Colour Connection
Fat Potato
Jason and Philip Serviced Accommodation
PayItMonthly
Salus
Triple Eight Containers

 

Recognising outstanding multi-generation family businesses which are family-owned and family-run, where core values and legacy are aligned with vision and leadership to ensuring continued business growth and financial success.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
QuoLux
QuoLux™ is a family-run, certified B Corp that supports business leaders at all levels to develop their leadership and management skills through in-person programs and online training courses. It provides business owners, directors and managers with the tools to hone their skills, building their confidence as leaders and inspiring self-belief.
quolux.com

2026 Shortlist

Anderson Recruitment
Bennetts Coaches
Brace Creative Agency
Cass-Stephens Insurances
Cleevely Motors
E G Carter & Co
Geometric Manufacturing
K W Bell Group
Over Farm
Spot-On-Supplies
Tewkesbury Park
VIP Properties

 

Recognising businesses which can demonstrate a commitment to proactively improving sustainability. This could be through a specific project or investment to improve current green working practices, or through the launch of a sustainable product, service or initiative.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
DBpixelhouse
DBpixelhouse delivers innovative audio visual, IT, and event technology solutions for exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and live experiences worldwide. With over 30 years of expertise, it combines creative production, cutting-edge AV equipment, seamless event networks, and digital innovation to create impactful, audience-focused experiences across the UK, Europe, and globally. Proud to be part of Pixelhouse Group.
dbpixelhouse.com

2026 Shortlist

Birdland Park and Gardens
Colour Connection
De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel
East Glos Club
Fasthosts
K W Bell Group
Lease Electric
North Tower Consulting
SecondLife
SOZO

 

Recognising businesses which recognise the importance of the workplace environment to fuel passion, foster positivity and ensure the wellbeing of their teams – all contributing to strong staff retention and excellent customer service.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Go HR
Go HR is a multi-award-winning HR consultancy celebrating 12 years of helping business owners get the people side right. Direct, commercial and refreshingly jargon-free, we support ambitious businesses across Gloucestershire and beyond, including Trower Davies, Antler Homes, Bewley Homes, ProSkin Clinic and Domino's franchisees, with practical advice that drives growth.
gohr.co.uk

2026 Shortlist

Benefact Group
Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental
Fat Potato
Gloucester City Homes
Hartpury University and Hartpury College
K W Bell Group
Nephos Group
Over Farm
Quayside Wealth Management
Rise HR
WSP Solicitors

 

Recognising businesses which can demonstrate how exceptional teamwork has been instrumental to their success, ongoing growth, the completion of ambitious projects and/or achieving high levels of customer care and service.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Verlingue
Verlingue is an independent, family-owned European insurance broker and employee benefits consultancy. It helps organisations understand and manage risk through expert advice, personal service, and long-term partnerships. Trusted by businesses across a wide range of sectors, it is also a proud holder of Investor in Customers Gold accreditation.
verlingue.co.uk

2026 Shortlist

Cotteswold House Dental Care
Fasthosts
Griffiths Marshall Advisory Group
Hartpury University and Hartpury College
Hub8
Kingsbridge Recruitment
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel

 

Recognising businesses for which ‘putting the customer first’ is at the heart of everything they do, demonstrated through measuring and improving customer satisfaction and empowering staff to exceed exceptional standards of service.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
System Force IT
Offering tailored IT support and services, including 24/7 support, cyber security, cloud solutions, VoIP and consulting, Gloucestershire-based System Force IT uses its 15 years of tech experience to ensure seamless operations through proactive, bespoke IT management for businesses and SMEs across the county and the rest of the UK.
systemforce.co.uk

2026 Shortlist

Ceiling Tiles UK
Exceptional Thinking (UK)
Fasthosts
Gloucester City Homes
Holiday Architects
Jason and Philip Serviced Accommodation
Kingsbridge Recruitment
Optimising IT
Simplicity
Tewkesbury Park
WSP Solicitors

 

Recognising established business leaders who have inspired their teams and led by example to drive continued success, exercising sound decision-making and a good measure of grit and determination.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
JM Finn
JM Finn is a UK‑based wealth management firm providing personalised investment management and comprehensive wealth planning. With a dedicated investment professional as a single point of contact, the firm focuses on building long‑term relationships, trust and simplifying complex financial challenges to help clients protect and grow their wealth through the generations.
jmfinn.com

2026 Shortlist

Caroline Summers – PBShop.co.uk
Jack Cook – First Thought Care Services
Mark Telford – Glevum Security
Matt Cleevely – Cleevely Motors
Nigel Church – Emerge Digital
Richard Gills – Tux Fizz
Sarah Travell – Virgate Accounts
Todd Gifford – Optimising IT

 

Recognising inspiring businesswomen who have broken boundaries and achieved significant career success in any industry – demonstrating qualities of vision, drive and leadership.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
University of Gloucestershire
The University of Gloucestershire was founded in 1847 and has campuses across Cheltenham and Gloucester. With around 10,000 students on its roll, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, along with professional courses, in business, applied sciences, arts and sustainability.
glos.ac.uk

2026 Shortlist

Caroline Summers – PBShop.co.uk
Chantelle Bowring – Salus
Claire Cleevely – Cleevely Motors
Helen Dowling – Exceptional Thinking (UK)
Karina Thomas – ProSkin Clinic & Health UK
Leah Folkard – Glowing by Leah

 

Recognising dedicated individuals who have gone above and beyond their job description to achieve outstanding success as an employee – and as part of their wider team – setting new standards of excellence.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Seymour John
Seymour John is a specialist finance, HR and executive recruitment consultancy based in Gloucestershire. Working locally for over 20 years, its team is exceptionally well connected. Business partners to clients and mentors to its candidates, Seymour John utilises trusted networks, passive contacts and deep market insight, to secure top talent.
seymourjohn.com/southwest

2026 Shortlist

Catherine Williams – Holiday Architects
Charlotte Hamilton – Cheltenham and Cotswold Dental
Charlotte Lipscombe – North Tower Consulting
Claire Thomlinson – Stroud Town Council
Derek Maddock – Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Tania Hersko – The Cotswold Cardillo

 

Recognising charities based in the county which have significantly supported Gloucestershire in some way while demonstrating strong business acumen in a particularly competitive sector.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Nimble Elearning
Since 2014, Gloucestershire-based Nimble Elearning has empowered hundreds of organisations across all sectors to provide high-quality online training. As a proud certified B Corp, it makes it easy for businesses to manage training, build bespoke courses, or access ready-made, fully editable content that genuinely supports their teams.
nimble-elearning.com

2026 Shortlist

Gloucester Civic Trust
Gloucestershire Young Carers
Hollie Gazzard Trust
James Hopkins Trust
Let's Talk Well
National Star
Pied Piper Appeal
Severn Wye Energy Agency
The Chamwell Centre Charity
The Churn Community Hub
The Cotswold Canals Trust
The Cotswold Dogs and Cats Home
The ITSA Digital Trust
The Music Works

 

Recognising stand-out businesses from any sector with 10 employees or less, which can demonstrate success through turnover, profit and/or growth while also setting the standard for what it means to be the best Gloucestershire micro business beyond financial measures.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
16i
Digital agency 16i is a market leader in website design and software development, with much of its work being bespoke software applications. Adept at technically challenging projects, its clients include international law firms, the University of Gloucestershire, Everyman Theatre and SoGlos. 16i also offers meeting rooms with the latest technology and secure, high-speed internet.
16i.co.uk

2026 Shortlist

Better Business. Better World
Blue Sky Signs
Content Chef
Eventwise
Film and Furniture
Glowing by Leah
Jason and Philip Serviced Accommodation
Lease Electric
SecondLife
The B Hive HR
The Kitchen Broker
Thrive Education Recruitment
Triple Eight Containers
Tuckshop Vending

 

Recognising stand-out businesses from any sector with 11 to 49 employees, which can demonstrate success through turnover, profit and/or growth while also setting the standard for what it means to be the best Gloucestershire small business beyond financial measures.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
The Boutique Workplace Company
The Boutique Workplace Company operates 35 flexible office spaces and co-working lounges across the country, including Jessop House in Cheltenham, promising to give Gloucestershire's small businesses 'a big experience', with concierge-level service, flexible contracts and fantastic facilities including an on-site cafe and 24-hour gym.
theboutiqueworkplace.co/serviced-offices-cheltenham

2026 Shortlist

Bolthole Retreats
Brace Creative Agency
Cheltenham Independent Financial Advisers
Emerge Digital
Emma Willis
Fat Potato
Griffiths Marshall Advisory Group
Holiday Architects
Hub8
Kirby & Knott Financial Planning
Nephos Group
North Tower Consulting
Optimising IT
Over Farm
PBShop.co.uk
Quayside Wealth Management
Simplicity
Spot-On-Supplies
Tux Fizz

 

Recognising stand-out businesses from any sector with 50 to 249 employees, which can demonstrate success through turnover, profit and/or growth while also setting the standard for what it means to be the best Gloucestershire medium business beyond financial measures.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council implements strategic decisions and provides services across the region to benefit the local community. The council is also teaching locals to save money of their energy bills with its new energy saving initiative.
gloucestershire.gov.uk

2026 Shortlist

Bennetts Coaches
Cowley Manor Experimental
De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel
E G Carter & Co
Glevum Security
Hewer Facilities Management
Tewkesbury Park
Trioscape Garden Centre
WSP Solicitors

 

Recognising stand-out businesses from any sector with 250+ employees, which can demonstrate success through turnover, profit and/or growth while also setting the standard for what it means to be the best Gloucestershire large business beyond financial measures.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNER
StillMoving
StillMoving brings ideas to life through film, photography and digital formats and cares deeply about telling stories that connect. It is a Cheltenham founded and based creative production house that is powered by brilliant storytellers across still and moving content. Discover how StillMoving can bring your story to life.
stillmovingmedia.com

2026 Shortlist

Benefact Group
Hartpury University and Hartpury College
Laithwaites

 

The winner of this special award is chosen by the headline co-partners from the list of winners across all categories.

2026 CATEGORY PARTNERS
Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors
See above to find out more about the Gloucestershire Business Awards 2026 headline co-partners, Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors.
hazlewoods.co.uk
willans.co.uk