Oldham Business Awards 2026 unveil three new categories and appeal for sponsors
AThe prestigious Oldham Business Awards (OBAs) are back for 2026 and include three new categories – Sustainable Innovation, Heart of the High Street and Community Impact Awards.
The sustainability award is open to all sectors and organisation types delivering practical change – this might include reducing waste or energy use, introducing sustainable materials, improving environmental performance, or delivering benefits for people and the planet.
Heart of the high street will recognise businesses and organisations that consistently serve their customers with dedication, resilience and genuine care – whether that’s a retail shop, hospitality venue, independent trader, or long-established local service provider.
The community impact category is for organisations making a meaningful difference to the communities they serve through volunteering, charitable activity, local employment, skills support, environmental initiatives, partnerships, or wider contributions to community wellbeing.
Our awards, now in their 18th year, recognise and reward business excellence, acumen and entrepreneurial spirit among Oldham businesses of all sizes and guises.
They also celebrate the community contribution made by local good causes, which this year has seen over £4,600 each donated to Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice thanks to the generosity of guests and sponsors at last year’s gala night – taking our charity fundraising total to more almost £70,000 over the OBAs’ 17-year history.
The launch begins a nomination/application and judging process that culminates in a glittering awards night on Friday 2 October.
Each year the OBAs steering group – a dedicated volunteer team drawn from a diverse range of locally based businesses – together with category sponsors, have the challenging task of judging and selecting winners of 11 awards and the recipient of the Special Recognition Award.
‘You win or you learn, you never lose’
More than 100 people attended a launch night hosted by Caroline Whitmore of ITV Granada Reports held at Billington’s in Oldham, courtesy of Krzysztof Zemlik, who won the OBA special recognition award in 2023 for his sympathetic and sustainable restoration of the former dance academy on Ascroft Street.
The keynote speaker was local Rugby League legend, Terry Flanagan, who began his career at Saddleworth Rangers before going on to star for Oldham Roughyeds, Lancashire and Great Britain.
He combined his playing days with studying and has since forged a successful business career in telecoms, co-founding what has become one of the largest mobile communications consultancies on the planet and working on the Channel Tunnel among many other prestigious projects.
He is also a fervent supporter of local charities, including Mahdlo, which he helped to form, and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his services to Rugby League and charity.
Terry shared insights on how he succeeded in sport and business, later engaging in a lively question and answer session, including how lessons learned on the rugby pitch – ‘you win or you learn, you never lose’ – have helped him succeed in business. He also gave advice to young people embarking on their careers.
Earlier, Shelley Kipling, Chief Executive at Oldham Council, which has sponsored the OBAs since inception, described the borough as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, while today it is home to a wealth of businesses, leaders and organisations creating jobs, adding social value, building communities within workplaces, and making a difference.
“It’s a business community we’re very proud to be part of and one we’re excited to help shape for the future,” she added.
‘New categories extend OBAs influence even further’
The 2026 awards remain under the stewardship of David Wadsworth, the Oldham born and bred MD and founder of Cornerstone Design and Marketing based in Lees.
Mr Wadsworth launched Cornerstone – OBA finalists in 2012, 2018 and 2019 – from the attic of his parents’ home in the same year the awards launched and now employs 35 people across all marketing disciplines.
He says: “The OBAs are all about celebrating the impact the business community has in the area we live and operate in, and which we all care about passionately.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to introduce our three new categories, which extend the breadth of the OBAs even further, giving even more people, businesses and organisations the opportunity to be recognised for the great work they’re doing.
“It never ceases to amaze me to see the drive and determination among Oldham businesses of all shapes and sizes, and I’d like to borrow a thought from our keynote speaker, Terry Flanagan: there are no losers in the OBAs, we learn and we support each other along the way.”
Who will follow in Kim’s footsteps for the special recognition award?
Last year over 500 people saw stand-up comedian, radio DJ and actor Justin Moorhouse, join Caroline Whitmore, Granada Reports entertainment correspondent, to announce the winners.
The night culminated in the Special Recognition Award, which went to Kim Rogers, founder of Spark Oldham, a Community Interest Company (CIC), which prides itself in a people‑and‑community‑first approach by actively listening to local voices and tailoring mental health and wellbeing, youth development and volunteer engagement to meet their needs.
Kim, who’s lived in Oldham for 20 years after moving from the Isle of Man, says: “I feel really privileged and thankful to have won. In a role like this you don’t do it for the glory, but it is great for me and the Spark team to be recognised for helping to transform lives and making Oldham a better place.”
2026 sponsors revealed
An opportunity to become a headline sponsor is currently available alongside:
- Oldham Council, headline sponsors since the OBAs’ inception.
- Albion House Wealth Management, another fervent OBA supporter.
Category sponsors unveiled so far are:
- Diodes Incorporated, winners of two categories in 2024, is sponsoring the new Sustainable Innovation award.
- Pearson Legal, a long time OBAs supporter and winners in 2023, are again sponsoring the award for £5m-plus business of the year.
- Seftons, finalists in 2024, is sponsoring £1-5m business of the year award.
- Oldham Active, the borough’s leading leisure and wellbeing provider is again sponsoring the workforce health and wellbeing award.
- Willmott Dixon, one of the UK’s leading independent construction and property services company, is sponsoring the new Community Impact Award.
- Get Oldham Working, a council-run service helping Oldham residents to find work, training, and wellbeing support, is sponsoring the Micro Business of the Year (Dawn Torrington) Award.
- Oldham Audi, an awards newcomer, is sponsoring Business of the Year (up to £1m).
- BS Entwistle, the Chadderton-based electrical contractor, is sponsoring the award for Young Entrepreneur.
Associate sponsors are:
- Rowan Ashworth, sponsoring this years main event entertainment!
Our Partners are:
- Grains Bar Hotel, winners of 2024’s Business of the Year up to £1m award, is sponsoring the finalists unveiling event on 9th July.
- Cornerstone DM
Headline, category and associate sponsorships are still available.
Richard Eastwood of Albion House Wealth Management says: “The Oldham Business Awards is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business, don’t underestimate the value they create.
“We work really hard making our businesses a success and the peers that you will meet through the awards, and the advice you can take on, is all really valuable.”
For more information on becoming a headline, category or associate sponsor click below.
Entries now open
For more information about all the categories and tips on entering click the categories below.
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.
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Sustainable Innovation
Sponsored by Diodes IncorporatedApply Now: Sustainable InnovationIf your organisation, or one of your suppliers, has developed a sustainability project with meaningful outcomes, clear reasoning, and proven…
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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…
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Community Impact Award
Sponsored by Willmott DixonApply Now: Community Impact AwardIf your organisation, or one you work with, has gone above and beyond its expected role in supporting people, places,…
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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 2 – 9 staff and must be able to demonstrate successful performance against its objectives. …
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Business of the Year (Up To £1m)
Sponsored by Oldham AudiApply 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…
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Young Entrepreneur (Up To 35 yrs)
Sponsored by BS EntwistleApply 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…
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Workforce Health & Well-being Award
Sponsored by Oldham ActiveApply 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Business of the Year (£5m+)
Sponsored by PearsonsApply Now: Business of the Year (£5m+)The winning business will have a turnover of more than £5 million and must be able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and vision…
