Winchester Business Excellence Awards

CELEBRATING SUCCESS & SHOWCASING INNOVATION

Awards Sponsored by

Welcome to the WINCHESTER BUSINESS EXCELLENCE awards 2026 IN ASSOCIATION WITH the WINCHESTER BID aNd HAMPSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Together we will continue to shine a light and to honour all those businesses who have contributed to serving the local communities.

We want to celebrate all those local and regional businesses and business owners.

We want to share their stories and create a permanent record of all of those achievements and showcase their business.

Why not take a look at THE 2025 AWARDS

Awards video

Sponsorship available in 2026

Raise your profile by sponsoring our awards in 2026

If you would like more information on the opportunities available, please contact myself on 01305 830815 or dhellaby@localiq.co.uk

Overall Sponsor

Winchester-based RJM International is an award-winning provider of technologically-advanced products and consulting services focused on the energy sector. For power stations and large combustion plant all over the world, RJM is delivering innovative solutions that are resolving some of the most complex energy challenges. Through a combination of problem-solving, advanced design, top quality engineering and operational expertise, RJM is enabling generators to improve plant performance and simultaneously reduce emissions. Today, RJM is also helping these energy producers begin their transition to net zero power production through the implementation of a range of carbon reduction measures, developed in-house in Winchester. In the UK, RJM is focused on working with biomass and Energy from Waste plants, improving performance, reliability and MWe output, by making incremental improvements across all aspects of the plant including installing its IMPULSE® Cleaning technology to remove fouling material from convective surfaces. In Europe and the USA, RJM is converting power stations from coal to gas which improves operational efficiencies and delivers a significant reduction in emissions, including carbon emissions. RJM’s range of ultra-low emission gas burners that are at the heart of these conversions also feature a multi-fuel capability to provide additional resilience. This also includes the capability to fire hydrogen, which delivers an enhanced level of “future-proofing” to the plant. In Asia-Pacific, RJM is working with major utility generators to improve performance and reduce emissions and in Malaysia is enabling generators to co-fire coal with biomass material. Most of the complex components that RJM designs are manufactured in the UK and exported all over the world.

2026 AWARD Categories & SPONSORS

AWARD ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN VIA THE LINK BELOW

Business Leader Award

This award will be presented to a leader who can demonstrate that his or her effective leadership has been and continues to be instrumental in the development of his or her business/enterprise or supported the local business community. The judges are looking for: • Positive and inspiring leadership. • Excellent commercial performance and results. • Effective participation in and contribution to the local business community. Nony Kerr-Smiley Estate Agents was founded in 2020 by married couple Nony and Sam Kerr-Smiley. Together, they bring decades of experience in the Winchester property market and work in association with Martin & Co. Winchester — the city’s largest lettings business — to provide a bespoke residential estate agency service to a select number of clients. They take total personal responsibility for every home they represent, from the initial valuation through to completion. This includes personally attending each property photography session to ensure every property is presented at its very best, personally conducting all viewings, negotiating the offers, and carefully managing every sale through to exchange and completion. Nony and Sam pride themselves on offering a service built on honesty, integrity, and authenticity. They believe this approach is both powerful and genuinely distinctive. Above all, they never lose sight of the fact that their clients are the most important part of their business — a philosophy that continues to drive them and has brought so many people to their door since the company’s successful launch.

Charity and Social Enterprise Award

This category recognises the contribution made by charities and social enterprises that provide such valuable services within the Winchester district. The award will be granted to the charities that has made the most significant difference to its target beneficiaries The judges will be looking for: • Clearly outlined social goals and objectives. • Clear evidence of social and community impact within the Winchester District. • Evidence of sustainable growth.

Large Business Award

This award will be presented to an outstanding business organisation with more than 10 FTE employees that demonstrate excellence. The judges will be looking for: • Commercial success, growth and achievement. • Future objectives for the growth of the business. • Innovation and creativity. The operating address for this category must be in the local authority district of Winchester and not be a registered or PO box address Paris Smith’s purpose is to enable its clients to achieve their goals through positive experience with legal excellence. They build long term relationships with businesses and their leaders who value pragmatic, commercial, outcome-focused, and strategic advice from their legal professionals. They provide them with opportunities to access a wide network of like-minded business owners, to achieve their ambitions. They believe in creating sustainable outcomes for their people, clients and communities to enable each of them to thrive. parissmith.co.uk

Sustainable Business Award

The winner of this award should be able to demonstrate how they have reduced the impact of their business on the environment in two or more of the following areas: • Green product innovation • Emission of greenhouse gases • Energy consumption • Water consumption • Production of waste and improving recycling rates • Sustainable supply chain and procurement • Transport impact of their goods or services • Staff development and training on environmental impact Winchester district is a culturally rich and diverse destination - a blend of vibrant city life and stunning countryside, with a historic cathedral city at its heart. The district is a hive of innovation and a seat of learning, with over 7,000 businesses, two universities and a state-of-the-art, council-run health and fitness centre in the city. As a council, we work to ensure our district is an attractive, enjoyable place to live and work - from keeping the streets clean and looking after our stunning open spaces to providing affordable housing and tackling the climate emergency. Our Economy and Tourism team help businesses and organisations across the district lower their carbon emissions by offering low carbon business support, free carbon assessments and networking opportunities. You can find out how to become a ‘greener faster’ business at http://www.winchester.gov.uk/support-for-sustainable-businesses We are proud to be sponsoring the Sustainable Business award for the 24th year running.

New Business Award

The award recognises a new business that started trading within the past two years whose existing success has set the ground work for the business to grow, flourish and move into a position of longer-term sustainability. The judges are looking for: • A clearly conveyed business idea. • Specific achievements. • Opportunity for business growth and development. With a history stretching back almost 200 years, the University of Winchester is proud to continue its sponsorship of the Winchester Business Excellence Awards. The New Business Award recognises a new business that started trading within the past two years and whose existing success has set the groundwork for the business to grow, flourish and move into a position of longer-term sustainability. We look forward to celebrating this year’s nominees.

Small Business Award

This award will be presented to a dynamic company with less than 10 FTE employees which demonstrates all round excellence in business. Businesses must be trading for at least 18 months. The judges will be looking for: • Commercial success, growth and achievement. • Future objectives for the growth of the business. • Innovation and creativity. • Ability to engage and contribute to “Winchester Life”. The operating address for this category must be in the Winchester BID operating area and not be a registered or PO box address

City Centre Champion Award

This award will be presented to a dynamic company based in the within the Winchester BID operating area which demonstrates all round excellence in business. Businesses must be trading for at least 18 months. The judges will be looking for: • A company of individual which celebrates the city centre and all it has to offer, helps to raise the profile of Winchester and makes a contribution towards its future development as a location for business. • Promoting Winchester as a great place to live, work, visit and study. • Commercial success, growth and achievement. • Ability to engage and contribute to life in Winchester City Centre. Please note this award is only open to businesses operating within the Winchester BID operating area. The operating address for this category must be in the Winchester BID operating area and not be a registered or PO box address Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business-funded organisation formed to improve the commercial wellbeing of the city. There are now more than 340 BIDs across the country and Winchester was one of the first established in the south of England and has been in operation since 2008. The BID represents businesses working together to improve their city and invest collectively in local initiatives that are in addition to those that are already delivered by local statutory bodies. The BID delivers a programme of events, projects and services to help ensure that Winchester is marketed and promoted successfully, that our city centre is safe and secure, and that it is clean, attractive and sustainable, and is a place where businesses thrive. winchesterbid.co.uk

Business of the Year Award

The Business of the Year Award will be chosen from the shortlisted businesses in each award category. It will be the best of the best, the business which stands out from the rest. To win, a business will need to show a very strong overall performance during the last year. The judges will be looking for a business which has: • A clear business strategy. • Strong financial management and performance. • Clear signs of growth and development. • Has overcome its’ challenges to get ahead of its competitors. • A sustainable philosophy, towards its people, its profit and the planet.

Venue Sponsor

Host Your Event at Winchester Cathedral Make your occasion unforgettable at Winchester Cathedral — a stunning blend of history and modern elegance. From grand banquets in the Nave to intimate gatherings in the Undercroft or stylish receptions in The Pavilion, each space offers charm, flexibility, and breathtaking views. Perfect for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of all kinds. Enquire today and create lasting memories in one of Hampshire’s most iconic venues. https://winchestercathedral.events/

Table centrepieces Sponsor Stem & Green Flower Farm is a seasonal and sustainable flower farm and floral studio based in Headbourne Worthy. Founded in early 2021 by James Greig, the farm was created out of a desire to make fresh, sustainably grown, British seasonal flowers more accessible, countering the environmental impact of imported blooms (which account for the highest carbon footprint per pound spent in a shopping basket). The farm grows a wide variety of scented, traditional English garden flowers using natural and organic methods. Grown without artificial lights, heating, or chemicals, working in harmony with nature and the seasons to build healthy soil and support biodiversity. Stem & Green flowers sell locally and nationwide, from postal bouquets to wholesale stems, weddings and events. And during the summer months the farm is open to the public for floral and art workshops and Pick Your Own flowers.