'Interest in our new-look award categories for 2026 surpassed all expectations,' Chamber reveals bumper shortlist revamped business awards
A bumper shortlist has been unveiled for this year’s Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards – following a record number of entries.
Judges have praised the quantity and high calibre of award entries for the event, which is set to take place on Thursday May 14.
Birmingham City University is the headline sponsor for the awards ceremony which will be held at the ICC in Birmingham.
Eleven award categories were revamped for 2026 to enable a wider range of firms to enter.
As in previous years, one of the category winners will be crowned overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year (sponsored by Crowe UK LLP).
Among the new categories is the Business Ambassador Award, voted for by GBCC members in recognition of an individual or organisation who make a difference to the regional business community.
A high-profile judging panel included Tony Elvin (general manager at Touchwood Solihull), Nicola Turner (CEO at United By 2022), (Alex Cole – founder and CEO of Tinventures), Zak Mensah (co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust), Hanifa Shah (pro vice-chancellor - Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at Birmingham City University), Jayne Hussey (partner and head of office at Mills & Reeve), Taj Lalli (partner at Bishop Fleming), Rob Nagra (head of site at Deutsche Bank), Anthony Tattum (chief marketing office at Leopard Co), Martin Ward (CEO at Silicon Square Consulting), Claire Umney (managing director at Alwayse Engineering), Suzie Branch-Haddow (vice principal of external development at BMet College) and Sharon Thompson (deputy mayor of the West Midlands).
Chair of the judges was director membership of the Chambers, Lillian Elekan, who said: “Interest in our new-look award categories for 2026 surpassed all expectations. A record number of entries led to an extremely challenging but exciting judging process for our panel. Congratulations to all of those who have been shortlisted – we look forward to revealing the winners at the ICC in May.”
The full shortlist:
Breakthrough Business 2026 – sponsored by runyourfleet
Brew
Find me a solicitor
Go True North
Midlands Health and Safety Consultancy
popcorn CRM
Power Fibre Ltd
quietnote ltd
UB Healthcare Ltd
Business Ambassador 2026 – sponsored by Turkish Airlines
Talbots Law
And Evolve Ltd
Johnathan Dudley (Crowe UK)
Joanna Lee-Mills (Midlands Magazines Ltd)
Robert Bull (TransLift Bendi Ltd)
Visit Knowle
Kim Wildborne (West Midlands Circus Centre)
Women in Business Network Birmingham
Business Without Borders 2026 – sponsored by Gowling WLG
Burns & McDonnell
Eventa Ltd
Gensler
M Barnwell Services Ltd
Moflash Signalling Ltd
Primo Dialler
The Orange Notebook
Truflo Marine
Community Builder 2026 – sponsored by South & City College Birmingham
Balfour Beatty VINCI
Birmingham Hospice
Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival
Gateley
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology
Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Touchwood Solihull
West Midlands Railway
Customer Commitment Award 2026 – sponsored by Translift Bendi
Ark Media Group
BHSF
Blackberry Events
Crown Highways
Edgbaston Priory Club
F1 Arcade
Selfridges Birmingham
Techcare
Digital Revolutionary 2026 – sponsored by Gateley PLC
Agilyx Group
BlackRook Academy
CyberQ Group
Digital Search Academy Ltd
Empro Business Group Ltd
EvoPhase
Netcom Training
Vu Agency
Influencer 2026
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Go True North
Lichfield Garrick Theatre
R&Co Communications
runyourfleet
South and City College Birmingham
The Sandwell Colleges
Visit Knowle
Non Profit Champion 2026 – sponsored by Midland Eye
Acorns Children’s Hospice
Anawim – Birmingham’s Centre for Women
Arrive Alive Charity
Birmingham Hospice
Midland Mencap
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
Smart Works Birmingham
YMCA - Heart of England
Pioneer 2026 – sponsored by Sandwell College
B13
Bonafide Marketing
Find me a solicitor
popcorn CRM
Power Fibre
Precision Health Technologies Accelerator Ltd
The Listening Centre EAP Ltd
Word360
Sustainability Trailblazer 2026 – sponsored by Caledonian Sleeper
Baxter Freight
DWS
Grace Cares
Solus Ceramics Limited
South & City College Birmingham
TransLift Bendi Ltd
University of Birmingham Enterprise
Velorim Group Ltd
Workplace Champion 2026 – sponsored by University College Birmingham
Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Birmingham office)
Entec Si
Gateley
Mills & Reeve
Shelforce
University of Birmingham
West Midlands Railway
YMCA - Heart of England
