Shortlists announced for Chesterfield Business Awards 2026

By Alex Baddley - 28 May 2026

The finalists for the new Chesterfield Business Awards have been revealed following the completion of judging ahead of the awards ceremony on Wednesday, 1st July 2026.

Judges from across the region met in early May to review a strong field of entries, highlighting the innovation, resilience and success of businesses from across Chesterfield. Organisers have now confirmed the official category shortlists and will announce the winners at the celebration dinner in July.

The awards have attracted sponsorship interest from a wide range of businesses across our region, including several Chesterfield Champions and SMH Mitchells, one of many recent businesses to be brought under the growing SMH Group umbrella, as well as the University of Derby, which has joined as Industry and Employability Partner in support of its soon-to-be-launched business programme at its St Helena site in the heart of Chesterfield.

Speaking about the partnership, Professor Keith McLay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, said:

“Chesterfield is a town that invests in skills development that is aligned with industry needs. It has a skilled and developing workforce, and with the University of Derby’s expansion in this area, Chesterfield will have a growing talent pipeline.”

Andrew McDaid, Partner at SMH Mitchells, added:

“Chesterfield has a unique ‘small town feel with big city ambition’. There is a remarkable sense of community here; it’s a place where relationships actually matter. We are incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor for the inaugural Chesterfield Business Awards. For us, it’s about shining a well-deserved spotlight on the innovation and resilience that exists right here in our borough.”

The judging panel was selected from across Chesterfield and the Peak District for their experience in business, commerce and commitment to supporting local growth. Members included Dominic Stevens of Destination Chesterfield, Samantha Deakin of the University of Derby, Marvin Cooke OBE DL of the King’s Awards for Enterprise, Professor Peter Dewhurst of Business Peak District, and Anne Batty of Paperclip.

Dominic Stevens, Head of Destination Chesterfield, said:

“The standard of entries for this year’s Chesterfield Business Awards has been outstanding. The judging process has been thorough and highly competitive, with businesses across the borough demonstrating real strength in performance, leadership and community impact.

Shortlisting has been no easy task, which says a great deal about the ambition and quality of Chesterfield’s business community. What’s come through is the diversity of the local economy, with organisations of all sizes helping to drive a vibrant and resilient place. There are some brilliant stories here to celebrate.”

Award categories

Best enterprising business (up to 10 employees)

Best enterprising business (11+ employees)

Best business growth

Best new business

Sponsored by Minuteman Press Chesterfield

21 Photography
CRIT
La Dolce Vita Lambarelli’s
Peak & Stone Bakery

Employer of the year

Excellence in customer service

Inspirational business person of the year

Annie Johnson
Izabella Edwards
Martin Wallis-Keyworth
Philip Dalton

Sole trader of the year

Mike Jones Photography
Andrew Haslam Media
Annie Littlewood
Helen Rowan Photography

Best community impact

Business of the year

Sponsored by Cosy Direct – winner will be announced at the awards ceremony

Chesterfield Champions are made up of over 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.

Find out more about our Champions network.