Every year the very best of Gloucestershire’s fledgling start-ups through to the top 100 businesses in the county put themselves forward for a prestigious Gloucestershire Business Award, before our experienced panel of judges — made up of 20+ representatives from headline and category partners — review and score entries to decide on the shortlist across the categories. A later judges’ panel meeting then sees an even tighter list of finalists decided upon and invited to the anticipated awards evening.
The Gloucestershire Business Awards culminate with a relaxed celebration evening at a different unique venue each year, when finalists, partners and special guests come together for the exciting live reveal of winners — crowning the best of the best Gloucestershire businesses, teams and individuals.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 // Key stages
Entry
Entries open: Monday 2 June 2025
Entries close: Sunday 29 June 2025
Gloucestershire businesses can enter up to three award categories via a link published on this page.
Shortlisting
Monday 30 June to Friday 25 July 2025
Entries are assessed for quality and suitability by the SoGlos awards team.
Shortlist revealed: Monday 28 July 2025
Judging
Judges receive shortlist: Monday 28 July 2025
Judges are invited to the digital awards system to view shortlisted entries from all categories in full, initiating the scoring process.
Meet the Judges event: Tuesday 9 September 2025 - Date and venue TBC
Shortlisted businesses and award judges come together for a special networking event, further assisting the scoring process.
Judges further consideration: Monday 28 July to Thursday 25 September 2025
Judges have the opportunity to further research and review the shortlist.
Judges submit scores: Friday 26 September 2025
Deadline for judges to submit individual scores for all categories.
Judges Panel Meeting: Wednesday 8 October 2025 - Date and venue TBC
Judges come together to find out the combined results of scoring.
Finalists, highly commended entrants and overall winners in each category are confirmed.
Finalists revealed
Monday 13 October 2025
Finalists announced on SoGlos.
Awards night
Thursday 6 November 2025 - Cheltenham Town Hall
Finalists, judges, partners and special guests come together for the exciting live reveal of winners at this annual highlight of Gloucestershire's business calendar.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 // Headline co-partners
Hazlewoods
Hazlewoods accountants and business advisers is one of the largest professional services firms in the south west, providing a highly personal service and established sector expertise. It has over 550 staff across Cheltenham, Staverton, Bristol and Cardiff, serving clients locally, nationally and internationally. Its experts provide specialist accountancy, tax, audit and business advice to individuals and businesses.
hazlewoods.co.uk
Willans LLP solicitors
Proud of its strong Gloucestershire roots, Willans has been trusted by clients locally, nationally and overseas for more than 75 years. Its Legal 500 and Chambers UK-rated team provides practical legal advice that’s easy to understand, whatever the need — and the company keeps the local community at the core of everything it does.
willans.co.uk
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 // Judges
Meet the esteemed judging panel — comprised of influential representatives from a range of industries — responsible for deciding the finalists, highly commended entrants and overall winners of Gloucestershire's leading business awards.
Rhiannon Hooper
Partner
Hazlewoods
Rhiannon has been at Hazlewoods for nine years and is a partner in the Business Solutions team, which provides accounting solutions to start-ups and SMEs. Her team builds close working relationships with clients, seeing them as business partners, delivering financial management information that’s tailored to their needs and the wider industry, wherever they are in their journey.
Chris Wills
Partner
Willans LLP solicitors
Chris Wills is a partner at Willans LLP solicitors specialising in corporate and commercial law, with over 15 years of experience and a particular interest in the renewable energy sector. Recognised by prestigious guides including The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, Chris works with start-ups and owner-managed businesses to global companies with multi-million-pound turnovers.
Judge name
Position
Hartpury University & Hartpury College
Individual judge profile coming soon.
Dev Chakraborty
Head of Growth & Enterprise Team
The Growth Hub
Dev has been working in the south west his whole career — from managing radio stations, supporting The Children’s Hospice South West and Crimestoppers to being one of the original team at The Growth Hub and the deputy CEO of GFirst LEP. He is now responsible for The Growth Hub network, Invest in Gloucestershire and Made in Gloucestershire.
Kane Lewis
Managing director
Severnside Security
Kane Lewis is the managing director of Severnside Security, an industry leading provider. Under his leadership, the company has experienced significant growth, expanding to over 60 employees across three regional offices. Kane was honoured with the SoGlos Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for his role in driving this success.
Judge name
Position
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Individual judge profile coming soon.
Steve Budding
Senior account manager
Optimising IT
Steve joined Optimising IT as business development manager in July 2023 and was promoted to senior account manager just a year later. With over 22 years in the education and services industry, Steve is a strong consulting professional who helps businesses maximise the value in their IT investments and reduce cyber risk.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 // Categories & partners
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Solr Energy
2024 Highly commended
Tallow + Ash
2024 Finalists
Feel Complete
Orso Publishing
Solr Energy
Tallow + Ash
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Clockwise Cheltenham
Known as Cheltenham’s ‘coolest’ office, Clockwise at Festival House offers flexible workspaces for businesses of all sizes, from entrepreneurs and start-ups to established teams — with dog-friendly offices, an on-site cafe bar and a roof terrace with impressive views over the Regency town and surrounding Cotswold countryside.
work-clockwise.com/locations/cheltenham
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Paradise Tattoo Studio
2024 Highly commended
Astor Bannerman
2024 Finalists
AirDrate
Astor Bannerman
Duku
Paradise Tattoo Studio
Tallow + Ash
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Hartpury
Offering A levels, T levels, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Hartpury University and Hartpury College has a 360-hectare campus in Gloucestershire, designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge and experience to move into a dream career. It is one of the UK's leading providers of animal, agriculture, sports, equine and veterinary nursing courses.
hartpury.ac.uk
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Montpellier Legal
2024 Highly commended
Prosperity Care and Wellbeing
2024 Finalists
Montpellier Legal
Premiere Kitchens
Pro Global
Prosperity Care and Wellbeing
ABOUT THE 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, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury.
thegrowthhub.biz
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
D.C. Merrett & Company
2024 Highly commended
Hobbs House Bakery
2024 Finalists
D.C. Merrett & Company
Hewer Facilities Management
Hobbs House Bakery
Markey Group
Non Solo Pasta
ABOUT THE 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
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Prima Dental Manufacturing
2024 Highly commended
Wildwood Ecology
2024 Finalists
G-TEKT Europe Manufacturing (G-TEM)
Go Climate Positive
Lease Electric
Prima Dental Manufacturing
Wildwood Ecology
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Rappor Consultants
2024 Highly commended
Lanes Health
2024 Finalists
Lanes Health
Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing
Pro Global
Rappor Consultants
The Crowd Agency
WSP Solicitors
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Penguin Uniform
2024 Highly commended
Holiday Architects
2024 Finalists
Farrar & Tanner
Greenfields
Holiday Architects
i2i Recruitment
Penguin Uniform
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Moog Controls
2024 Highly commended
Stewart Golf
2024 Finalists
Lanes Health
Moog Controls
Stewart Golf
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
New category for 2025!
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Severnside Security
Severnside Security provides fire and security solutions to homes and businesses in Gloucestershire, with expertise in the design, implementation and support of integrated systems and intuitive technologies. From intruder alarms, access control and CCTV, to life safety, fire detection and automation systems, the company is well-known for its ability to deliver sophisticated projects.
severnsidesecurityltd.co.uk
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Lenny Dance from Stagecoach West
2024 Highly commended
Shelley Stevens from The Cheltenham Trust
2024 Finalists
Julie Chadwick from Nephos Group
Lenny Dance from Stagecoach West
Shelley Stevens from The Cheltenham Trust
ABOUT THE 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
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Astor Bannerman
2024 Highly commended
G-TEKT
2024 Finalists
Astor Bannerman
Emerge Digital service desk team
G-TEKT senior management and HSE department
Squashed Robot Films creative account manager team
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Alison Dreezer from National Star
2024 Highly commended
Alice Openshaw from Lumiere Restaurant
2024 Finalists
Alice Openshaw from Lumiere Restaurant
Alison Dreezer from National Star
Fiona Wilson from North Tower Consulting
Max Mathias from Duku
ABOUT THE PARTNER: South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
SGS College has strong links with the business community and helps train hundreds of students each year, from Level 2 all the way to higher education, in everything from accounting and finance to business administration, carpentry, joinery, education and childcare, gas engineers and installation electricians, construction and more.
sgscol.ac.uk
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Nova Blue Technologies
2024 Highly commended
ReformIT
2024 Finalists
CDS Defence & Security
Nova Blue Technologies
ReformIT
The Cyber Scheme
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Pied Piper Appeal
2024 Highly commended
Young Gloucestershire
2024 Finalists
Allsorts Gloucestershire
Move More
The Pied Piper Appeal
Young Gloucestershire
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Nimble Elearning
Nimble’s intuitive elearning tools have helped hundreds of organisations build beautiful online training courses, which help them keep track of staff progress with ease at the click of a button, with expert support every step of the way. It also offers a range of customisable, ready-made courses — and a generous discount for charity customers.
nimble-elearning.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Gloucester Brewery
2024 Highly commended
Infrastar
2024 Finalists
Gloucester Brewery
Infrastar
Ontic Manufacturing & Engineering
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
New category for 2025!
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Optimising IT
Optimising IT is a B Corp certified managed IT service provider with offices in Gloucester, Bristol and Exeter, delivering bespoke solutions to support SMEs, including cybersecurity, cloud services and IT consultancy. It recently partnered with global AI expert DATA³ to help customers access data-driven tools for driving strategic growth.
optimisingit.co.uk
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Cherry Orchard Publishing
2024 Highly commended
Content Chef
2024 Finalists
Cherry Orchard Publishing
Content Chef
Lease Electric
SAND Visuals
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
The Pie House at Cinderhill Farm
2024 Highly commended
Squashed Robot Films
2024 Finalists
Bolthole Retreats
Greenfields
Hooray
Lead365
Non Solo Pasta
Squashed Robot Films
The Pie House at Cinderhill Farm
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Cotswold Energy Group
2024 Highly commended
Hewer Facilities Management
2024 Finalists
Cotswold Energy Group
George Bence Group
Hewer Facilities Management
Premiere Kitchens
Prosperity Care and Wellbeing
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Category criteria coming soon.
2024 Winner
Markey Group
2024 Highly commended
Moog Controls
2024 Finalists
G-TEKT Europe Manufacturing (G-TEM)
Markey Group
Moog Controls
ABOUT THE PARTNER: Category partnership available
Category partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
The winner of this special award is chosen by the headline partners, from the list of winners across all categories.
2024 Winner
Nova Blue Technologies
ABOUT THE PARTNERS: Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors
See above to find out more about the Gloucestershire Business Awards 2024 headline partners, Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors
hazlewoods.co.uk
willans.co.uk
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 // Event partners
We are delighted to be working with a dream team of amazing partners to once again make the Gloucestershire Business Awards evening the celebration of the year.
Steve Knibbs
We are delighted to welcome back Steve Knibbs, the well-known BBC regional news reporter and presenter, as compère of the Gloucestershire Business Awards. Steve, who has been a face of BBC Points West for more than 15 years, joined the team in 2021 and will have the honour of unveiling the latest winners on Thursday 6 November 2025 at the official venue, Cheltenham Town Hall.
Cheltenham Town Hall
Cheltenham Town Hall is a Grade II listed public venue, set on Imperial Square. Built in the early 20th century, it's now one of Gloucestershire's biggest arts and entertainment venues, hosting live entertainment, festivals and exhibitions, as well as offering flexible spaces to hire for weddings, corporate events and private functions.
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
The Cheltenham Trust
The Cheltenham Trust is an independent charity which plays a pivotal role in managing and sustaining some of Cheltenham's most historic venues, including Pittville Pump Room and Cheltenham Town Hall, as well as providing culture, sport and leisure through The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Leisure at Cheltenham and the Prince of Wales stadium.
cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
Event partner coming soon
Event partner profile coming soon.
soglos.com
Gloucestershire Business Awards // 2024 highlights
Gloucestershire's leading business awards returned for an exciting fourth year, in partnership with headline co-partners Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors, with Hartpury University and Hartpury College making for an incredible setting for the big awards night - hosted by Steve Knibbs and once again recognising the best of the best county firms, teams and individuals.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2024 winners revealed
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2024 official photos
Gloucestershire Business Awards // 2023 highlights
The third Gloucestershire Business Awards, once again co-sponsored by market leading county firms Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors, saw sponsors, finalists and special guests spend an exciting evening at a working community fire station. The unique celebration saw hundreds gather to celebrate Gloucestershire's incredible business community, from start-ups to international firms, across 22 hotly-contested categories — hosted by esteemed journalist, Faye Hatcher.
SGGBA 2023 awards night photos
Gloucestershire Business Awards // 2022 highlights
The second annual Gloucestershire Business Awards cemented its position as Gloucestershire’s leading business awards, co-sponsored by market leading county firms Hazlewoods and Willans LLP solicitors, culminating in a fast-paced awards evening at the University of Gloucestershire’s Business School. A prestigious guestlist of 300 business leaders gathered – including sponsors, finalists and special guests – to enjoy a relaxed evening of networking and the live reveal of winners from across the extended list of categories. A staggering 382 nominations were received from 178 businesses, shortlisted down to 206 entries for judging, with 81 finalists recognised and invited to the Gloucestershire Business Awards finale.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2022 winners revealed
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2022 awards night photos
Gloucestershire Business Awards // 2021 highlights
The brand new SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards took the county by storm in 2021, co-sponsored by GFirst LEP and The Growth Hub, culminating with an exciting awards event at Gloucestershire Airport where almost 300 guests gathered to recognise the very best businesses from across the county. The evening marked the end of a process which saw 421 nominations from 192 different businesses whittled down to 17 winners. And, following almost a year of careful planning and work by the SoGlos team, the hugely successful event cemented Gloucestershire Business Awards' position as Gloucestershire’s definitive business awards from its very first year.
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2021 winners revealed
Gloucestershire Business Awards 2021 awards night photos
Gloucestershire Business Awards // Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to enter the Gloucestershire Business Awards?
Sensational businesses of all shapes and sizes, new or long established, which have a Gloucestershire headquarters and/or whose main activity takes place in the county. The business will also need to fit with one of the categories and specific criteria detailed above.
How do I enter my business?
Monitor this page for details of the entry stage each year — and the addition of a link to enter during this period. Entries must be made by an official representative of the business who will be the point of contact through the process.
Can I enter my favourite business for an award?
No, but you can recommend your favourite business enters for themselves. Send them a link to this page.
What is the shortlisting and judging process?
A dedicated SoGlos awards team will review all entries for quality, substance and suitability to create the shortlist. They will carefully consider entrants' full applications, websites and social media (where available), with the shortlist then published on SoGlos and sent to the judging panel to initiate the scoring process.
The judging panel is made up of senior industry representatives from the awards headline co-partners and category partners. Judges will review shortlisted entries in full and also have the chance to meet entrants face-to-face at the popular 'Meet the judges' event, before submitting scores for all categories. Judges then come together for the 'Judges panel meeting' to find out the combined results of scoring and confirm the list of finalists, highly commended finalists and overall winners in each category.
The list of finalists is then published on SoGlos, with winners and highly commended finalists revealed for the first time at the anticipated awards night.
Please note, SoGlos partners will not be given preferential treatment.
What assurance can you give that information provided on the entry form will remain confidential?
Information provided by entrants will not be shared with any party other than those officially involved in the awards process. All judges are required to accept a confidentially agreement.
Why is it necessary to provide financial information as part of the entry form?
Financial information must be supplied for most categories (unless specified) so that the SoGlos awards team and judges can evaluate the economic strengths of entries — which is an important part of considering overall business success.
There isn't a category suitable for my business, would you consider adding one?
We develop the awards every year. Please email info@sopublishing.com with any requests or feedback.
Can I enter more than one category?
Yes, you can enter up to three categories which are relevant to your business. Details of how to do so will be provided at the point of entry.
What will the winner of each award receive?
Glory and fame! Plus, a coveted trophy to display at their business, as well as a winner’s certificate; official winner badge to use on their website; and editorial coverage on SoGlos, its email newsletter and social media channels.
Will there just be one winner per category?
Yes and there will also be a highly commended business per category, which will receive a certificate and official badge to use on their website too. All finalists will also receive an official certificate.
Why didn’t I make the shortlist?
The number and quality of entrants increases every year, so we'll be looking for businesses which really stand out through their entry form and have a strong chance of winning their category.
I’m just on the Gloucestershire border, can I still enter?
Yes, but only if your main business activity takes place within Gloucestershire.
What’s the format of the Gloucestershire Business Awards evening?
Expect a relaxed party atmosphere with the chance to meet other businesses and network, enjoy supper and drinks on arrival, before the live reveal kicks off at 8pm. This informal structure is at the core of both our business awards and lifestyle awards.
How do I get tickets for the Gloucestershire Business Awards evening?
Headline co-partners will receive 10 tickets and category partners five tickets. Ticket allocations per finalist are normally two, but will be confirmed closer to the time by email once the list of finalists is revealed.
Can I get extra tickets for the Gloucestershire Business Awards awards evening?
To make Gloucestershire Business Awards as inclusive as possible for all finalists and partners – and to work within the size limitations of the special venues we work with each year – numbers are very limited and we are unlikely to be able to offer additional tickets. We will, however, have a waiting list once tickets to the awards are opened for RSVPs.
Can I reserve a table at the Gloucestershire Business Awards evening?
Due to the nature of the special venues which play host to Gloucestershire Business Awards each year, spacing for seating is limited so we are only able to reserve seating/tables for the headline co-partners.
