Black Country Chamber 2026 Business Awards Finalists revealed ahead of 25th anniversary
The Chamber has unveiled its shortlist for its milestone 2026 business awards
More than 40 different firms and a host of inspirational individuals have been revealed as awards finalists celebrating the best of business in the Black Country.
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the shortlist for its 2026 Black Country Business Awards, which celebrates the success of firms across Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley.
More than 150 entries were received for this year’s awards, which will be marking their 25th anniversary.
Leading the way are Stourbridge Glass Museum, BlackRook Academy, iBiotech LTD and Juniper Training – all finalists in three categories and a number of companies have also secured double shortlisted status.
CEO Sarah Moorhouse, who is due to leave her role this month to pursue an opportunity in the United States, said: “It has been an absolute honour for me to lead these awards on behalf of the Chamber for the last four years and I can honestly say that each year, the calibre of nominations across so many different industries is brilliant to see.
“The awards gives companies the opportunity to recognise their achievements, their teams, their contribution and their innovation. Huge congratulations to all of our finalists, they gave our judges such a hard job – the standard of entries this year was really high.
“The Chamber is looking forward to a special night in November, when we bring together the bostin’ Black Country business community for a night of celebration.”
Full list of finalists for 2026:
Black Country Future Star – Bradley Brazier of Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Limited, Lewis Burton of Stourbridge Glass Museum, Leah Grew of The Tipton & Coseley Building Society, Ellie McEntee of Daniel-Scott Recruitment Ltd, Robb Lowe of Midland Marketing
Bostin’ Business Person of the Year – Lucy Rook of BlackRook Academy, Lisa Sadler-Todd of Beacon Centre for the Blind, Brian Johnston of iBiotech LTD, Gareth Jones of In-Comm Training, Lesley Holland of Juniper Training Ltd
Business in the Community – JJX Logistics, The Tipton & Coseley Building Society, Skills Work and Enterprise Development Agency (SWEDA), The Belonging Dojo CIC, Groundwork West Midlands
Catalyst for Creativity – iBiotech LTD, BlackRook Academy, Eighty3 Design Ltd, Plum Ideas Ltd, Raybloc (X-Ray Protection) Ltd
Employee of the Year – Richard Crater of ASSA ABLOY, Karen Dunham of Stourbridge Glass Museum, Bobbie Wearing of Black Country Housing Group, Sarah Swain of The Mount Hotel Country Manor and Golf, Nicola Hudson-Jones of Juniper Training Ltd
Employer of the Year – Fortress Safety, Halesowen College, Juniper Training Ltd, The Sandwell Colleges, Black Country Housing Group
Family Business of the Year – T.C. Morris, S&R Construction, The Mount Hotel Country Manor and Golf, Get Smart Accountants, Vard Innovations Ltd
International Trade Excellence – Bowers & Jones, Burke Bros Moving Group, Fortress Safety, Project Piping Materials Ltd, Surespan Ltd
Manufacturing Champion – T.C. Morris, Project Piping Materials Ltd, Rayblock (X-Ray Protection) Ltd, Alloy Wire International Ltd, William Hackett
Professional Service Business of the Year – Issac H Grainger and Son Ltd, mfg Solicitors, Orton Group, UK Win Media Ltd, GTG Training Academy & Conference Centre (West Midlands)
Start-up Business of the Year – Motion in Mind, Thrive Employment Ltd, Pippatopia Ltd, R.A.B Electrical Ltd, Simone Bell Counselling
Sustainability, Technology & Innovation – BlackRook Academy, Coinadrink Limited, iBiotech LTD, Stourbridge Glass Museum, Tocyber Technologies
The 2026 event falls in the organisation’s 170th year – with the black tie award ceremony being held at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday November 12 – hosted by broadcaster Suzi Perry.
This year sees new categories in introduced including Catalyst for Creativity and Bostin’ Business Person of the Year, exclusively for the Chamber’s 50 Bostin’ Black Country businesses.
All finalists will be given priority access to book tickets before the general sale.
