7th November 2026 - #BrumAwards26 #OneBrum
@ The Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham, B7 4BL
#TOGETHERFORTEN
At the Birmingham Awards, we are dedicated to showcasing the talent, dedication and heroes that make Birmingham a remarkable place to live, work, and thrive. Our mission is to recognise excellence across various sectors, fostering a sense of pride and unity within our community. Through these awards, we aim to inspire others to strive for greatness and contribute positively to our vibrant city. Join us in celebrating the best of Birmingham, as we highlight the achievements that shape our community's future.
This year marked a landmark 10th anniversary for the Birmingham Awards.
From Kelly Osbourne’s moving tribute to her father, Ozzy Osbourne, honoured posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award, to the celebration of Birmingham’s boldest changemakers, the 10th Birmingham Awards was more than an event — it honoured the people who make Birmingham what it is.
THE BEATING HEART OF BIRMINGHAM
At the Birmingham Awards, we believe recognition should be open to everyone who contributes to the success, spirit, and progress of our city. That is why nominating yourself, your team, or another organisation is currently free, and all finalists receive a complimentary ticket to attend the awards ceremony.
B Events is committed to celebrating the people, businesses, and community organisations that make Birmingham thrive. Many awards charge nomination fees and even charge finalists to attend, but our approach ensures that recognition remains accessible and inclusive for all.
We believe that excellence should be open to everyone. By removing nomination fees, we create a fairer process where individuals, small businesses, and larger organisations can all take part without the barrier of cost. Our awards programme is built on merit, fairness, and genuine celebration of Birmingham’s achievements.
This is your moment to be celebrated, supported, and seen without barriers and without compromise.
Nominate today and be part of a citywide celebration built on fairness, integrity, and recognition for all who make Birmingham outstanding.
A panel of independent judges will assess the applications of the nominees for each respective category. A voting process will also be implemented at the shortlist stage.
The Award winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 7th November 2026 at the Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham, B7 4BL
CLICK ON AN AWARD CATEGORY TO FIND OUT MORE
Do you know an outstanding individual or organisation making a difference in Birmingham? Nominate Now!
The Art & Culture Award will be presented to a business/organisation that fosters and supports arts and culture within the Birmingham community. The nominee must show creative flair in communicating their message and good practice in their work. business/organisation that fosters and supports arts and culture within the Birmingham community
The business must demonstrate flair and innovation as well as sound business planning. The candidate must display and welcome excellent customer focused environment and memorable customer focused experience/event.
This award will be presented to a business established for a minimum of two years, showcasing their excellence in achieving objectives, clear vision to build on future successes, and sustained growth. This award symbolizes the standard bearers of success in Birmingham.
The judging will focus on:
This award honours a charity that has had a significant and positive impact on the wider community or society. The ideal recipient of this recognition will have demonstrated excellence in organisational capability, employee engagement, and impact. By delivering remarkable service to its beneficiaries, promoting and raising its cause, being clear in its objectives and strategy, this charity will have achieved noticeable success in the past year.
A charity that has benefited the community or the wider society.
Demonstrable impact on the community
Strong outcomes
Deliver good value for money
The nominee for ‘Independent Retailer of the Year Award’ will be judged on the following criteria:
Minimum Requirements
Proof that the business is actively developing
Physical location or an online store
Demonstrates the depth of amazing work in the city
Customer experience and customer service
Range of products or services
Adds Value to the local community
Must be established for 12 months or more
Candidates must show that it has made a great impact on the restaurant scene within Birmingham. It must show proof it offers high standard of service, cuisine, innovative ideas and customer service.
Minimum Requirements
Must be established for 12 months or more
Ratings on TripAdvisor & other websites
This award will be presented to a business that employs between 1-20 people and that has been established for at least 2 years or more. The winner will be able to demonstrate entrepreneurial characteristics with dynamic and measurable systems in place, to monitor performance, financial controls, marketing and sales growth.
The judging will focus on:
The candidate must demonstrate commercial success
Proof that the business is actively developing new products or services.
Evidence of strong employee support, development and motivation.
Innovation and creativity.
Engages with the community and add value by providing opportunities such as mentoring programs, support services and work experience.
Business that employs between 1-20 people.
As an individual or organisation who uses their business acumen to make a real difference, tackling social and environmental problems and can demonstrate and communicate their impact.
Minimum Requirements
Evidence of tackling social or environmental problems
Must be operating for 12 months or more
The ‘Sporting Initiative Award’ will recognize and reward individuals or organizations that have dedicated themselves to the advancement of sports in any element. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their commitment to community engagement and outreach initiatives, which have contributed significantly to making sport a part of local communities throughout their areas. The impact on local communities by these initiatives should also be evident.
This award will be presented to a business that has been start up within the last two years and actively trading for the last six months.
This award celebrates a standout Birmingham-based festival or event that has successfully brought people together through culture, celebration, or a shared cause.
Judges will assess the audience reach and diversity, looking for events that have attracted an inclusive audience, with particular recognition for those engaging underrepresented or marginalised communities.
The creativity and execution of the event will also be key. Entries should demonstrate originality, innovation in programming or format, and excellence in planning, delivery, and audience experience.
Judges will also consider the effectiveness of branding, marketing, and production.
Lastly, community impact will be a major factor. Events that have delivered social, cultural, or economic benefits to the local community, forged partnerships, or supported local talent and businesses will be highly regarded.
The event must have taken place within the past 18 months and can be one-off or recurring, delivered by organisations of any size or sector.
This award recognises a regeneration project or development that has made a significant and measurable impact on its local area.
Judges will consider the scale and impact of the transformation, including how the project has revitalised underused or neglected spaces, attracted investment, and improved quality of life for residents or visitors.
The design and sustainability of the project will also be key—entries should demonstrate innovative, high-quality design, environmental responsibility, and long-term viability.
Projects that have embedded sustainable practices, from construction to ongoing use, will be rated highly. Finally, community involvement is essential; successful entries will show how local people, organisations, or stakeholders were engaged and empowered throughout the project’s planning and delivery.
Whether through co-design, consultation, or ongoing collaboration, evidence of meaningful community impact will be crucial.
Projects can be public, private, or third sector-led and must have been completed within the last three years.
This award celebrates individuals, organisations, or projects that are actively breaking down barriers for disabled people in everyday life, work, or culture. Judges will assess the real-world change achieved.
Entries should demonstrate tangible improvements in accessibility, whether physical, digital, or social, and show how these changes have enhanced independence, inclusion, or opportunity.
Design and inclusion excellence will be key, with a focus on how access and equity have been embedded from the outset, not added as an afterthought.
This includes thoughtful design, user-centred approaches, and innovative solutions that go beyond compliance to deliver meaningful impact.
Finally, beneficiary feedback will play a vital role. Judges will look for clear evidence that the voices and experiences of disabled people have shaped the project and validated its success.
Entries should reflect lived experience, co-creation, or direct testimonials that highlight the value and relevance of the work in real terms.
This award recognises a business or organisation that demonstrates a deep and ongoing commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity in the workplace.
Judges will look at diversity in recruitment and retention, including efforts to attract, support, and progress individuals from underrepresented backgrounds across all levels of the organisation.
Strong entries will show a track record of hiring inclusively and creating pathways for long-term career development. Inclusive policies and practices will also be assessed.
This includes flexible working, adjustments for disabled employees, anti-discrimination measures, and initiatives that foster an open and respectful workplace culture.
The award also values staff satisfaction and testimonials as key indicators of impact. Judges will seek authentic feedback or case studies that demonstrate how employees feel supported, valued, and empowered.
Entries from organisations of any size or sector are welcome, and those that show leadership and innovation in inclusion will stand out.
This award recognises a digital or tech-based solution that meaningfully addresses a social or civic challenge in Birmingham. Judges will assess innovation and usability, looking for creative, forward-thinking approaches that are both technically effective and user-friendly.
Solutions should demonstrate accessibility, responsiveness to user needs, and potential for scalability or replication. Social impact is central to this category—entries must show measurable benefits, such as improving wellbeing, reducing inequality, enhancing access to services, or supporting vulnerable communities.
The strongest submissions will clearly outline the challenge addressed and the positive change created as a result. Lastly, community involvement is key.
Judges will look for evidence that local people or organisations were actively involved in identifying the problem, shaping the solution, or testing its application.
Whether through co-design, feedback loops, or partnerships, entries should show how community voices influenced the tech and how those communities have benefited from its use.
Businessman of the Year must demonstrate sound business knowledge, strong leadership skills, and significant growth in organization profitability. Furthermore, they should be able to demonstrate motivation, outstanding achievements within their field, and dedication to engaging with their community. Ideal candidates will possess excellent business acumen, display plans for expansion and growth, maintain a high standard of personal integrity; and above all else lead with purpose and direction. An inspiring figure through their work and commitment to success.
To apply for this category, nominees must be either a director or an owner of a business.
Businesswoman of the year must have outstanding business acumen, excellent leadership skills and has achieved remarkable growth and profitability in their organisation as an owner of a business. She must be highly motivated, and have distinguished achievements in her area of expertise. The candidate must also show a high degree of community engagement.
A person who has a direct impact on revenue and a key decision maker of the business
Leader who has a direct impact on Profit & Lossess.
The Businesswoman of the year can be an owner or director of a business.
To apply for this category, nominees must be either a director or an owner of a business.
Contribution to Education award will be given to a person or an organisation that has contributed to the excellence of educational provision or maintained a record of scholarly excellence in teaching, or development and outreach.
This individual demonstrated leadership within the Birmingham community who has used their own story or background to motivate and inspire others. His/her contributions have had a positive effect on the development and growth of this vibrant city.
The Employee of the Year award will be presented to a dedicated individual who consistently exhibits exceptional support for their colleagues and carries out all their duties with attention and diligence.
Entrepreneur Person of the Year will be awarded to a risk taker who has attained remarkable growth and profitability within their organization. The recipient must also display entrepreneurial growth, accomplishments, as well as having potential and/or future plans for diversification
A person who has a direct impact on revenue and a key decision maker of the business
Leader who has a direct impact on Profit & Lossess.
This individual must have a track record of connecting people to the right businesses with evidence that successful referrals have had a positive impact on their business, peers and community. An individual that is consistently doing an outstanding job of involving, recruiting, and representing Birmingham to others.
A young person between 16 and 30 who has exemplified dedication and enthusiasm for their passion. Candidate should have demonstrated resilience in achieving a goal such as fundraising or building a business or inspiring future generations through creativity and/or supporting others in being creative.
This award will be chosen by the Birmingham Awards Team and will not be open for nominations.
This award will be chosen by the Birmingham Awards Team and will not be open for nominations.
The Birmingham Award for Lifetime Achievement is a prestigious recognition awarded to an individual who have made a noticeable impact on the community. An individual who has excelled in their field over the course of their lifetime, having achieved greatness through their actions, deeds, and accomplishments. This award will be selected by the Birmingham Awards Team and is not open to nominations.
Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 11th Birmingham Awards – 2026 After an unforgettable 10th anniversary celebration, we are still riding the high of everything that made last year so special. The stories. The people. The pride. The city coming together. And because the momentum has been unreal, we’re doing things differently this year…We have opened nominations earlier […]
Birmingham made history on 21st October 2025 as it hosted the UK Government’s first-ever regional investment summit, with a series of major announcements unveiled at Edgbaston Stadium that promise to reshape the future of the city and the wider West Midlands. The event, led by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, outlined more than £19 billion worth of […]
Birmingham Honours Ozzy Osbourne with Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the City’s 10th Birmingham Awards #TogetherForTen #10YearsProud #BrumAwards25 #BA25 The 10th Birmingham Awards delivered one of its most emotional and unforgettable moments in the event’s decade-long history, as the city came together to honour its very own Ozzy Osbourne with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented […]
THE BEATING HEART OF BIRMINGHAM
Since 2015, the Birmingham Awards have been celebrating the remarkable individuals and organisations that contribute to Birmingham’s vibrancy. These awards are a testament to the city’s ascent and our enduring commitment to honor excellence.
Our mission is to showcase the innovation, talent, and passion that drive Birmingham forward. We aim to foster a sense of pride among all who call Birmingham home, recognising those who inspire change and make a positive impact. Join us in applauding the beating heart of Birmingham—its people—as we continue to uplift and celebrate the best of our city together.
