The C2S Business Awards 2026 were officially launched this week at Laithwaites, bringing together an inspiring mix of business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals from across the region to mark the start of another exciting awards year.
Now in their fourth year, the C2S Awards continue to go from strength to strength, attracting businesses from Devon and Cornwall right through to the West Midlands. The 2026 ceremony will once again return to Cheltenham Racecourse on 2 July 2026, promising a standout evening that celebrates the achievements, resilience and ambition of businesses of all sizes.
The big message of the night was simple: get involved and get your entries in by midnight on 28 February. The value of taking part in the C2S Business Awards goes far beyond a trophy – it’s about raising your profile, boosting team morale, strengthening your employer brand and taking time to reflect on just how far your business has come. Entrants benefit from free promotion, meaningful recognition and the chance to celebrate success with their people. Businesses were strongly encouraged to enter more than one category and make the most of the opportunity to showcase different parts of their organisation. This is your chance to be part of the biggest business event of the year – don’t sit on the sidelines, get involved and put your business in the spotlight.
A huge thank you was shared with this year’s sponsors, whose continued support makes the awards possible. In particular, joint headline sponsors BPE and Crowe were recognised for their long-standing commitment to championing business success across the region. Their involvement reflects the growing credibility and impact of the C2S Awards as a platform for recognising excellence, innovation and leadership.
Guests also had the opportunity to meet the C2S Awards judges, easily spotted by the gold star on their badges, and to chat with previous entrants, marked by green dots. These informal conversations gave those considering entering for the first time a valuable insight into the awards journey and the benefits of taking part — from increased profile and team pride to stronger employer branding and customer trust.
The launch event featured a brilliant panel discussion with previous winners, including representatives from Laithwaites, who scooped Best Place to Work, Family Business of the Year and Customer Excellence at the 2025 Awards. The team shared how entering the awards helped them reflect on their culture, celebrate their people and showcase customer experience as a genuine career pathway. Their story demonstrated how awards recognition can strengthen internal culture as well as external reputation.
Also joining the panel was Huw Lewis, Founder and CEO of Black Mountain and winner of Micro Business of the Year. Huw spoke candidly about the confidence boost that comes from external recognition, the doors it can open for small businesses, and the value of taking time to reflect on achievements as part of a growth journey.
With 20 categories available to enter, businesses are encouraged to put themselves forward for more than one category. Entries close at midnight on 28 February, with shortlisted businesses invited to celebration events in March and May, leading up to the main awards evening in July.
Every business that enters benefits from free promotion through C2S social media and newsletters, with finalists and winners receiving further profile through the C2S magazine and events. With just weeks to go before entries close, the message from the launch was clear: the C2S Awards are not just about winning – they are about recognising progress, celebrating people, and showcasing the brilliant work happening across our business community.
Check out the amazing offer for the C2S Awards 2026 from Laithwaites!
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