Finalists announced as Express & Star Business Awards 2026 draws nearer
The “standard of entries has been exceptionally high” with well over 100 submissions from businesses across a variety of sectors.
The finalists have been selected and there's now just over two weeks to go until the glitzy 2026 Express & Star Business Awards take place in Wolverhampton.
Judges have been busy visiting businesses across the Black Country to determine the worthy winners, who will be announced at a black tie awards evening at The Halls Wolverhampton on Thursday, June 4.
The awards evening, which will be hosted by radio personality Dicky Dodd, will include a drinks reception and three-course dinner and will bring together finalists, esteemed sponsors and prominent figures from the business and civic world for a celebratory evening of recognition and networking.
Entries closed in all categories last month, and the judges having sifted through all submissions have been interviewing the finalists to determine which of them will take home prizes on the night.
Well over 100 entries were received for this year’s awards across 13 award categories recognising ambitious and successful businesses of all sizes and across an array of sectors.
Express & Star editor-in chief Martin Wright said: “Once again, the standard of entries for the Express & Star Business Awards has been exceptionally high, which made the judging process incredibly competitive.
“We received even more entries this year than last, which is a strong reflection of the ambition, resilience and innovation we continue to see across the Black Country, Staffordshire and the wider West Midlands region.
“At the Express & Star, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals making a real impact in our communities, often in challenging circumstances. To be shortlisted as a finalist in such a strong field is a significant achievement in itself, and all those shortlisted should be extremely proud."
Funds raised from the awards evening will go to our charity partner Aphasia Support.
Trophies and the drinks reception will be sponsored by Gough Group, with SV Contracts sponsoring the programme and Halesowen College is sponsoring the networking booklet.
Here are the finalists in all 13 categories:
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Dudley College of Technology)
Emily Cooper, Black Country Transport
Jude Aston, Wolverhampton Council
Katie Robinson, Doocey Group
Kelly Anne Russell, Wolverhampton Council
Mackenzie Shakespeare, IPL Schoeller
Niamh Peters, BGF Trading
Employee Wellness Excellence Award
A&M EDM
SV Contracts
The Sandwell Colleges
Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Crowe LLP)
Coinadrink
Darlaston Builders Merchants
Hughes Funeral Directors
Summit Garage (Dudley)
Westley Group Ltd
Will Hire
Growth & Innovation Award (sponsored by Pallet-Track)
The Big Phone Store
Coinadrink
Summit Garage (Dudley)
Manufacturing Champion (sponsored by Safran Electronics & Defense)
CJ Tool and Mouldings
Exol Lubricants
Haywoods Contracts
Jenks & Cattell Engineering
Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Business
Blackbrook Barns
Compton Care
Dreamland
Fun City
Luxor Events Sandwell
Play@Lower Drayton Farm
Small to Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by The Tipton & Coseley Building Society)
Coinadrink
Euro-Matic
Haywoods Contracts
Jenks & Cattell Engineering
Opus International Products
SMART Balustrades
Large Business of the Year (sponsored by Greenhous Commercials)
Wolverhampton Council
DJH Accountants & Business
Pallet-Track
S&R Construction
Sustainability Award
The Big Phone Store
DJH Accountants & Business Advisers
Euro-Matic
Haywards Contracts
Play@Lower Drayton Farm
Young Business of the Year (sponsored by Gough Group)
Cosy Bean Sedgley
Express Dubai Visa
Francesca's
Luxor Events Sandwell
The Bookery
Wakeykoi Aquatics
Business Person of the Year
Alexander Goodger, BGF Trading
Darren Ennis, Haywoods Contracts
David Hough, SMART Balustrades
Matthew Randle, Dreamland Bedding Centre
Rachel Middleton, WOW Logistics/TopGear Recruitment
Sarah Moorhouse, Black Country Chamber of Commerce
Business of the Year (sponsored by Doocey Group)
Coinadrink
Pace Group
Pallet-Track
S&R Construction
School of Coding
Topgear Tuning
Business in the Community (sponsored by The Sandwell Colleges)
Allister and Terri Malcolm
Doocey Group
Dreamland Bedding
Haywoods Contracts
Pallet-Track Ltd
Party Angels
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