Oldham Business Awards Announces 2026 Finalists
Finalists in this year’s Oldham Business Awards have been announced at an exclusive gathering at Grains Bar Hotel in Oldham this week.
With three new categories in the mix this year – Sustainable Innovation, Heart of the High Street and Community Impact Awards – there has been even more opportunity for local firms to shine, with over 30 businesses and individuals shortlisted for the 12 prestigious awards. Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards night on Friday 2nd October at the new event space in Oldham, The Loom.
In its 18th year, the awards celebrate local businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders who have made a significant impact in Oldham; acknowledging the contributions local firms make to the social fabric of the borough, including raising almost £70,000 for local charities.
OBA Chair and managing director and founder of Lees-based Cornerstone Design and Marketing, David Wadworth says:
“The Oldham Business Awards were established to recognise and reward excellence, acumen and entrepreneurial spirit among the Oldham business community and to celebrate the most inspiring organisations and business individuals.
“This is my second year as Chair, and it’s such a huge honour. I’m proud to have founded and grown my own business in Oldham because I know I stand among the best. Our wider business community achieves so much as a collective and it’s great that we can come together, to celebrate and shout about our achievements.
“It’s been especially rewarding to see companies come up through our three new categories, representing demonstrations of practical change, dedicated customer service and commitment to the community and its progression and wellbeing.
“We’re also delighted to support Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice once again, with the business community donating over £4,600 to each cause this year.”
Here is the full list of the 2026 finalists:
- Business of the Year (£5m-plus): First Choice Homes Oldham; Heyside Group; Future Directions CIC
- Business of the Year (£1-5m): BS Entwistle Electrical Contractors Ltd, Blackstar Security, Get Oldham Working
- Business of the Year (up to £1m): Sports Physio UK, M Group Manchester Ltd, County End Electrical NW Ltd
- Start-up Business of the Year: Emplas Commercial (North) Ltd, Baby Bear’s Play Café, BlueFox Accounting
- Workforce Health and Wellbeing: First Choice Homes Oldham, Spark Oldham, Future Directions CIC
- Business Person of the Year: Kris Zemlik of Billingtons, Melvyn Pryce of Heyside Group, Lee Wakeham of HMPasties
- Micro Business of the Year: GB Storage Ltd, The Trapdoor, Eternal Health
- Supporting Young People: First Choice Homes Oldham, Spark Oldham, VPS UK Ltd
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Dan Burnell of Blue Fox Accounting, Ashah Nadeem of Chadderton Post Office, Iona Ackerman of Eternal Health
- Heart of the High Street: Cornerstone Estates and Lettings, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice Retail Department, Zutti Co
- Community Impact: Diodes Incorporated; HMPasties, Fullcircle nw CIC
- Sustainable Innovation: Recycling PVC, VPS UK Ltd, Get Oldham Working
Celebrating success through careful selection
Every year, the Oldham Business Awards steering group (a team of volunteers drawn from a diverse range of locally-based businesses) and the category sponsors have the challenging and painstaking task of judging and selecting the winners.
The steering group also selects three nominees for the non-entered Special Recognition Award, choosing candidates who they feel have gone above and beyond in their business activities and achievements.
David adds: “Thanks to every business and individual who has entered the awards, to the sponsors that help to make them happen and to everyone on the OBA steering group for all the hard work they have put into this process. We’re also grateful to Grains Bar Hotel for putting on such a brilliant evening for us.”
2026 Sponsors
This year’s headline sponsors are Albion House Wealth Management and Oldham Council, who have supported the awards since their inception. And headline sponsors for the first time this year after sponsoring the Special Recognition Award for 2025 The Casey Group.
Other sponsors which has supported the event since its inception in 2008 and continues its support, are Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisors and Seftons Accountants and Business Advisors.
Further 2026 category sponsors include GM Business Growth Hub, Diodes Incorporated, Oldham Active, Oldham Sixth Form College, RAL Civils, Willmott Dixon, Get Oldham Working, Audi Oldham, and BS Entwistle. Associate sponsors include, Cornerstone DM, Rowan Ashworth, Grains Bar Hotel, JW Lees, Oscar-Recruit and Emplas Commercial North
Sponsorships still available
We have sponsorship still available for the following categories and associate areas
Category Sponsorships
- Special Recognition:
- Heart of the High Street
Associate Sponsorships
- Photo Booth
- Casino
- Goodie Bags
- Raffle
- Main Event Venue
- Main Course
- Dessert
- Programmes
If you are interested in any sponsoring any area of the 2026 awards please click 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.
-
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…
-
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
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,…
-
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. …
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Business Person of the Year
Sponsored by Oldham CollegeApply 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)
Sponsored by GM Business Growth HubApply 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
Sponsored by OSFCApply 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…
-
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…
-
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…
