What are the Oldham Business Awards?
The Oldham Business Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across Oldham’s business community, recognising organisations and individuals that drive economic growth and positive change.
When are the
Oldham Business Awards?
The Oldham Business Awards take place annually, culminating in a prestigious awards evening that brings together finalists, sponsors and business leaders to celebrate local success.
Why do the Oldham
Business Awards exist?
The Oldham Business Awards exist to recognise, reward and promote outstanding businesses, supporting a thriving local economy while celebrating leadership, resilience and community contribution across Oldham.
Join our 2026 event sponsors!
Oldham Business Awards – Celebrating Excellence in Oldham’s Business Community
The Oldham Business Awards celebrate the ambition, innovation and resilience of businesses across Oldham and the surrounding borough. Each year, we bring together entrepreneurs, SMEs, charities and larger organisations to recognise outstanding achievement, leadership and community impact.
From emerging start-ups to established organisations, the Awards showcase the people and businesses driving economic growth and positive change across Oldham.
13
Prestigious Award Categories
500+
Guests on the night
£60k+
Donated to Local Charities
Shape the future of
Oldham business through sponsorship
Explore how partnering with the Oldham Business Awards can elevate your brand, strengthen community ties, and showcase your commitment to local success. From visibility across media to exclusive networking opportunities, we make it easy for you to get involved and make an impact.
Award Categories
The Oldham Business Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of businesses across the borough, recognising excellence in innovation, growth, leadership and community impact. There’s an opportunity for businesses and individuals of all sizes and stages to be recognised for their success and positive influence.
-
Sustainable Innovation
Available to sponsorApply Now: Sustainable InnovationIf your organisation, or one of your suppliers, has developed a sustainability project with meaningful outcomes, clear reasoning, and proven…
-
Heart of the High Street
Available to sponsorApply Now: Heart of the High StreetThis award celebrates the businesses that are at the heart of our high streets and communities. Those who consistently serve…
-
Community Impact Award
Available to sponsorApply Now: Community Impact AwardIf your organisation, or one you work with, has gone above and beyond its expected role in supporting people, places,…
-
Micro Business of the Year- The Dawn Torrington Award (2–9 People & Trading for 3 yrs+)
Sponsored by Get Oldham WorkingApply Now: Micro Business of the Year- The Dawn Torrington Award (2–9 People & Trading for 3 yrs+)The winning business will have 1 – 10 staff and must be able to demonstrate successful performance against its objectives. …
-
Business of the Year (Up To £1m)
Available to sponsorApply Now: Business of the Year (Up To £1m)The winning business will have a turnover under £1 million and must be able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and vision and a…
-
Young Entrepreneur (Up To 35 yrs)
Available To SponsorApply Now: Young Entrepreneur (Up To 35 yrs)The judges are looking for an individual who has shown the desire to succeed and who has the flair, drive…
-
Workforce Health & Well-being Award
Sponsored by Get Oldham WorkingApply Now: Workforce Health & Well-being AwardThis award seeks to recognise and champion the incredible steps taken by those businesses that are creating an environment for…
-
Business Person of the Year
Available to sponsorApply Now: Business Person of the YearThe winner of this category will be an Oldham-based individual who has made a significant business contribution to the Borough. This award…
-
Start-Up Business of the Year (Operating for 3yrs or less)
Available to sponsorApply Now: Start-Up Business of the Year (Operating for 3yrs or less)Launching your own business requires a wide range of skills and qualities (and a fair degree of courage). The winner…
-
Supporting Young People
Available to sponsorApply Now: Supporting Young PeopleThe winning business will be able to demonstrate an on-going programme of providing young people (up to the age of 30) with…
-
Young Business of the Year
Available to sponsorApply Now: Young Business of the YearThe judges are looking for a business that has been trading between 1 and 4 years, has shown the desire…
-
Business of the Year (£1-5m)
Sponsored by SeftonsApply Now: Business of the Year (£1-5m)The winning business will have a turnover between £1 million and £5 million and must be able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and…
Check out the highlights from our 2025 Event!









Honour for former BAE boss, Steve Kilroy, who spent years choosing winners for the Oldham Business Awards and is now one himself!
The man entrusted with choosing the worthy winners of the Oldham Business Awards since we began celebrating the borough’s business achievements, has now deservedly found himself in the limelight!
Since 2009, Steve Kilroy has been the spearhead of our steering group whittling down finalists and crowning 11 annual winners at our glitzy gala evening at The Queen Elizabeth Hall.
But having retired as steering group chair last year, Steve found himself on the receiving end when the night culminated in the prestigious Special Recognition Award, specially selected by the group and given to someone considered to have gone above and beyond for the borough.
Now enjoying his new-found extra spare time on the golf course, Steve, who lives in Chadderton, was the head of business integration at BAE Systems until the Chadderton site closed and was later awarded life membership of the Avro 504 Club.
Latest News
Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from the Oldham Business Awards, where we share exciting announcements, finalist reveals, event highlights and inspiring stories from across the Oldham business community.
-

Oldham Business Awards 2025
Finalists in this year’s Oldham Business Awards have been announced at an unveiling party held at Grains Bar Hotel in…
-

Oldham Business Awards announce 2025 finalists
Oldham Business Awards announce 2025 finalists and DJ, comedian and actor Justin Moorhouse as this year’s co-host Finalists in this…
-

OBA Quiz Night 2025
Join the OBA Quiz Night 2025 — quiz fun, networking & charity fundraising supporting Mahdlo Youth Zone & Dr Kershaw’s…
-

Oldham Business Awards 2025 Open for Entries and Seeking Sponsors
Oldham Business Awards 2025 are now open for entries and sponsors! Discover how this year’s launch event brought together local…


















