Fourteen categories, three groups. Most businesses fit one clearly; some fit two, and you can enter both (every entry from the same company is 25% off).
Business categories – for the company
- SME of the Year – an established small or medium-sized business with a strong record across finances, culture, customers and leadership.
- New Business of the Year – trading for three years or less and already making an impact.
- Growth Business of the Year – sustained, profitable growth over the past three years.
- Scale-up Business of the Year – a business executing a clear plan for rapid growth in customers, team and market share.
- Business Innovation of the Year – a product, service or process that changed the game and delivered commercial results.
- Business Transformation Award – a turnaround or reinvention that saved or reshaped the business.
- Exporter of the Year – a UK business winning customers overseas.
People categories – for the individual
- Entrepreneur of the Year – a founder or leader whose drive, judgement and character built the business.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year – founders under 30 years of age.
- Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Achievement Award – by invitation of the judges.
Purpose categories – for the difference you make
- Sustainable Business Award – sustainability embedded in how the business runs, not bolted on.
- Diversity and Inclusion Programme Award – a programme with measurable results for people and the business.
- Community Business of the Year – a business whose success is bound up with its community.
If more than one fits
Choose the category where your evidence is strongest. Judges score against the criteria on each category page, so a great growth story with thin numbers will do better in Innovation or Transformation than in Growth. If you are still unsure, email awards@cbmeg.co.uk with two sentences about the business and we will point you to the right one.
The 2027 timeline
Entries open 1 September 2026 → Entries close 5pm, 31 December 2026 → Finalists announced 1 February 2027 → Finalist presentations, online [CONFIRM: F-18] → Grand final, London, 23 March 2027
[Enter the 2027 awards] [Read the entry FAQ]
Timeline image alt: as 1.5.
Internal links: all 14 category pages, /enter/, /enter/faq/, /judges/what-our-judges-look-for/.