Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

With the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2026 taking place next month, we are proud to reveal this year’s finalists. Following another exceptional year of entries, the shortlist reflects the strength, ambition and resilience that continues to define Bedfordshire’s business community.

Meet the finalists

This year’s finalists represent a broad cross-section of Bedfordshire’s economy, with organisations and individuals recognised across 20+ categories. Congratulations to you all.

Apprentice Employer of the Year | Sponsored by Liebherr GB

• Aden Contracting Ltd
• Aura Dental
• Neville Trust
• RSP UK

Bedford Business of the Year | Sponsored by THSP

• Aden Contracting Ltd
• Data Privacy Simplified
• Davina Farrer
• GDF Cleaning Services
• Green Light Consultancy Group
• Home Instead Bedford
• The Kingfisher
• The Numbers Quarter

Best Enterprising Business | Sponsored by Greenwood Drones

• Bonfire Creative Intelligence Ltd
• Future-Edge Therapy Ltd
• Olivia Cole
• Shine Learning and Training Centre Beds Ltd
• The Fruit and Veg Man

Best New Business | Sponsored by Wrest Park Enterprise

• Aura Dental
• B Nicholls Plumbing & Heating
• Delphini Accounting Tax & Advisory LLP
• IKREATIVE
• Katrezza Resin Creations
• Muslim Ski Club
• NeuroFX
• Vivi & Noo

Business Innovation | Sponsored by Talk UK Telecom

• ASK Europe
• Bluebird Care Bedford
• Bonfire Creative Intelligence Ltd
• Brookfield Drinks
• Holistic Thinking Holidays Limited
• Repairify
• Resourceful People Group
• Stage Act®

Business of the Year Less Than 50 Employees | Sponsored by Red Event Production

• ASK Europe
• Bluebird Care Bedford
• Copybox Document Systems Ltd
• CRDOne
• Eden Tree Specialists Ltd
• Experity Partners
• Kings Fire Ltd
• Osborne Morris and Morgan Limited

Business of the Year More Than 50 Employees | Sponsored by Aegis Group of Companies

• Elite Law Solicitors
• Repairify
• TAG Live®

Business Person of the Year | Sponsored by Foxley Kingham

• Helen Christopher | Beansprout Consultancy Ltd
• Davina Farrer | Davina Farrer
• Crystal Boston | Delphini Accounting Tax & Advisory LLP
• Duncan Jack | Duncan Jack Photography/Service Assist UK Limited
• Bilal Farooq |Greystone Solicitors
• Darren King | Kings Fire Ltd
• Emma Baker | Mecca Bingo Luton
• Nicola Hageman | The Numbers Quarter

Central Bedfordshire Business of the Year | Sponsored by Essential Workwear

• Austin & Carnley Solicitors Ltd
• Beansprout Consultancy Ltd
• Bonfire Creative Intelligence Ltd
• Osborne Morris and Morgan Limited

Community Business of the Year | Sponsored by Bartham Group

• Austin & Carnley Solicitors
• BLCF
• Caremark Central Bedfordshire
• Greystone Solicitors
• Mecca Bingo Luton
• Osborne Morris and Morgan Limited
• Reactiv8 The Nation
• Shine Learning and Training Centre Beds Ltd

Employer of the Year | Sponsored by Treacle Factory

• Aegis Group of Companies
• Higginson and Co (UK) Ltd
• Home Instead Bedford
• Neville Trust
• RSP UK

Entrepreneur of the Year | Sponsored by Wenta

• Qadeer Qureshi | Aegis Group of Companies
• Andy Mills-Brown | Andy Mills-Brown
• Duncan Jack | Duncan Jack Photo/Service Assist UK Limited
• Michelle Jackson | Love Hounds Bedford
• Nicole O'Grady | Olivia Cole
• Michelle Crook | Reactiv8 The Nation
• Nicola Hageman | The Numbers Quarter

Exporter of the Year | Sponsored by Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce

• Endoline Automation Limited
• We Get Any Stock

Family Business of the Year | Sponsored by Essential Workwear

• D & G Short Ltd
• Data Privacy Simplified
• Francescas Hair & Beauty Salon
• RSP UK
• The Black Horse at Ireland

High Growth Business of the Year | Sponsored by Red Event Production

• CRDOne
• Elite Law Solicitors

Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Business of the Year | Sponsored by Aegis Group of Companies

• Mecca Bingo Luton
• Muslim Ski Club
• Road 2 Freedom Motorhome Hire
• Voyager Flight Simulation

Luton Business of the Year | Sponsored by Luton Rising

• Active Luton
• Aegis Group of Companies
• Fusion Radiology
• Neville Trust
• Repairify
• Sommers Waste Solutions
• The Fruit and Veg Man
• Voyager Flight Simulation

Not-for-Profit Business of the Year | Sponsored by Resourceful People Group

• Azalea
• Bedford Blues Foundation
• Bedford Giving
• FACES Bedford
• Luton All Women’s Centre
• Mind BLMK
• Stepping Stones (Luton)
• The Disability Resource Centre

Positive Impact Award | Sponsored by Jaltek

• FACES Bedford
• Howe To Consultancy
• Mind BLMK
• NOAH Enterprise
• Reactiv8 The Nation
• Shine Learning and Training Centre Beds Ltd
• Stepping Stones (Luton)
• The Disability Resource Centre

Service Excellence | Sponsored by RSP UK

• Ark-H Handling
• Austin & Carnley Solicitors
• Azalea
• Experity Partners
• Future-Edge Therapy Ltd
• Harper Luxe Serviced Apartments
• Olivia Cole
• Rites of Way

Sustainability Award | Sponsored by ADA Cosmetics

• Aden Contracting Ltd
• Ark-H Handling
• Cartridge Depot
• Data Privacy Simplified
• Harper Luxe Serviced Apartments
• Luton Point Shopping Centre
• Sommers Waste Solutions

Young Business Person of the Year | Sponsored by The Bedford College Group

• Abbie Watson | Experity Partners Ltd
• Francesca Gavin | Francescas Hair & Beauty Salon
• Harrison Glantz | Glantz Productions
• Grace Galbraith | NOAH Enterprise

Thank you to our sponsors

The Awards would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors.

We extend our thanks to Essential Workwear, our Headline Sponsor for the second year running, along with our Platinum and Gold Sponsors, for helping make the Awards the highlight of the county’s business calendar.

Looking ahead to the Awards Final

With the finalists now announced, attention turns to the Awards Final on Thursday 18th June at The Marquee, Bedford.

The event brings together businesses from across the county to celebrate success, build connections and recognise the achievements of the past year and it promises to be an evening of celebration, recognition and connection.

If you would like to join us for the Awards Final, tickets are still available. For further information and to book your place, please visit www.bedfordshireawards.co.uk