Leadership Award
Proudly Sponsored By
About the Award
Celebrating the people who make a difference through leadership.
Great leadership isn’t defined by job title or seniority. It’s about inspiring others, building trust, encouraging development and creating an environment where people and teams can thrive.
The Leadership Award 2027 recognises outstanding individuals whose leadership has made a meaningful difference to their colleagues, teams and organisations.
We’re looking for people who lead by example, demonstrate integrity, communicate effectively and bring out the best in others. Whether through developing talent, navigating challenges, improving workplace culture or delivering exceptional team achievements, we want to recognise the positive impact of great leadership.
This award celebrates how individuals lead and the difference they make to others, rather than their achievements in founding or building a business.
Who Can Enter?
The C2S Leadership Award 2027 is open individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership at any level of an organisation, across all business sectors in the South West, Midlands and South Wales, including Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, Worcestershire and surrounding areas.
You can nominate an outstanding colleague or leader, or enter yourself.
Entry is completely free and open to both C2S members and non-members.
Judging Criteria
Our judges want to understand how this individual leads, inspires and supports others, and the positive difference their leadership has made.
Every leadership journey is different, so the following are suggestions to help demonstrate their achievements, rather than a checklist of requirements.
You might like to tell us about:
- Leadership & Vision: How they provide direction, lead by example and inspire others to work towards shared goals.
- Inspiring & Motivating Others: Their ability to encourage, empower and bring out the best in individuals and teams.
- People Development: How they support learning, mentoring, professional development and career progression.
- Communication & Trust: How they build positive relationships, encourage open communication, listen to others and create a culture of trust and respect.
- Workplace Culture & Inclusion: Their contribution to creating a supportive, inclusive workplace where people feel valued and have opportunities to succeed.
- Leading Through Challenges: How they’ve demonstrated resilience, sound judgement and the ability to guide others through difficult situations or change.
- Achievements & Impact: Examples of improvements in team performance, employee engagement, wellbeing, retention or organisational success resulting from their leadership.
Most importantly, tell us what makes this individual an exceptional leader, how they’ve made a difference to others and why they deserve recognition.
What You Will Need To Enter
Basic business information, including your sector, turnover (where applicable), employee numbers, business values and workforce demographics.
All entries are confidential and shared only with the judging panel. You may enter multiple categories.
Why Enter?
Celebrate your people, strengthen your employer brand and gain recognition for creating an outstanding workplace, with opportunities for PR and promotion.
Tell your story. Enter the Leadership Award 2027.
How to Enter
Entering is simple and completely free!
Complete the online entry form and submit your application before the closing date. A member of the C2S team will then be in touch if any additional information or supporting documents are required.
Open to C2S members and non-members across the South West, Midlands and South Wales.
Save the Dates
Entries open
1st November 2026
Awards Launch
TBC
Entry Closing Date
TBC
Shortlisters’ celebration
TBC
Judging Takes Place
TBC
Finalists Drinks
TBC
Awards Evening
TBC
Knowledge Exchange Forum
TBC
Award Entry Guidelines
To give your entry the best chance of success, clearly demonstrate how your organisation or nominee has gone above and beyond, providing real examples, achievements and measurable results wherever possible. You may also submit additional supporting evidence, for example videos, news stories and/or accreditations.
Use clear headings and bullet points to help our judges understand your entry. The C2S team may contact you if additional information or supporting evidence is required.
Your entry should address the judging criteria above, supported by clear examples and measurable results wherever possible.
The application form will also ask for some basic information about your business:
- Business sector
- Turnover (where applicable)
- Number of employees
- Business purpose and values
NB: All information submitted will remain confidential and will only be shared with the judging panel.
You can enter multiple award categories, with a separate entry for each.
Important Information
- Free to enter – Open to C2S members and non-members.
- Nominations welcome – Enter your own organisation, nominate an individual or put forward another deserving business.
- Sponsors can enter – Sponsors may enter any categories they are not sponsoring.
- Finalist attendance – Finalists are expected to have at least one representative attend the Awards Evening, in accordance with our terms and conditions.
- Judging decisions – All entries are subject to our terms and conditions, and the judges’ decisions are final.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before submitting your entry.
Ready to Enter or Nominate?
We look forward to celebrating your achievements and receiving your entry for the C2S Business Awards 2027.
Questions? Our team would be delighted to help. Contact info@c2sgrowth.com
A Message from Joint Category Sponsor - BPE Solicitors
BPE Solicitors LLP is a regional legal heavyweight, known for its distinctively different legal offering across the South-West. With an enviable client base ranging from FTSE listed companies to high growth businesses, Cheltenham-based BPE provides a one stop service for both local and national clients – helping businesses, business owners, individuals and families with all of their legal needs.
BPE is unique among law firms in a number of ways – providing city expertise without a city price tag. From the industry busting stats on women in senior positions, to the enviable number of global brands it retains as clients, BPE is recognised as a progressive, modern law firm embracing the ever-changing way of life and work.
The firm’s success is evidenced by its impressive roster of clients, from small independently run businesses to multi-million-pound global brands. We continue to believe that our client list punches above its weight and is unrivalled in the South-West.
As a legal adviser embedded in the region, BPE is proud to work in collaboration with the local community. Employees live and engage locally, supporting local businesses as well as community initiatives, local charities and investing fully in promoting Cheltenham and the South-West as a brilliant place to do business.
The C2S awards reflect and celebrate all that is good about businesses in the region. This aligns directly with the BPE strategy of helping businesses to grow and thrive. It is against this backdrop that BPE is delighted to be co-headline sponsor of C2S’s business awards for the second year.
A Message from Joint Category Sponsor - Crowe Uk
At Crowe UK, we are a national advisory, audit, tax and consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses grow with confidence, navigate challenges, and deliver lasting impact. We partner with organisations across the UK to provide insight, guidance, and support that drives success, and we are passionate about celebrating the achievements of those shaping the business landscape.
Over the years, we’ve been proud to support the C2S Business Awards as category sponsors, and in that time we’ve seen first-hand how the Awards highlight innovation, leadership, and ambition across the region. The stories of perseverance, creativity, and growth we’ve encountered have inspired our teams and deepened our commitment to supporting local businesses.
That’s why we are thrilled to join the Awards as Joint Headline Sponsor for the first time in 2026. It’s an honour to play a leading role in recognising the exceptional people and organisations driving progress, creating jobs, and making a positive impact on their communities.
We look forward to celebrating every nominee, finalist, and winner, and to connecting with the remarkable talent and ambition that make these Awards truly special. Here’s to a memorable C2S Business Awards 2026
