Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards 2026

The Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards are back at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hull on Thursday 19 November, with TV presenter Gethin Jones hosting the gala night. It's the 26th edition of the awards, launched by the Hull Daily Mail, and the third led by talent entrepreneur Simon Jones — the man behind the Top 30 Under 30 programme — alongside events specialist Jane Smallwood. Last year was a silver-anniversary celebration, so this one arrives just as the awards move past that milestone.

There are 27 organisations shortlisted across a dozen categories, and the range covers pretty much every corner of the local business scene. The big ones are Entrepreneur of the Year, Start-Up Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Large Business of the Year. There's also Best Place to Work, the Environmental & Sustainability Award, Charity of the Year, the Innovation Award, Team of the Year, the Growth Award, Rising Star, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. For Entrepreneurs Only is the headline partner, with BAE Systems, H&H Comms, and Siemens Gamesa coming on board as new principal partners.

Two things have shifted since last year. First, the judging has toughened up: it's moved from a desktop exercise to in-person interviews and site visits, so the shortlist didn't come easily. Second, the start-up entries are up 33% on the previous year, which gives you a fair idea of the new businesses popping up around the city. David Hall, MD of Beverley Leisure Homes, takes over as chair this time around — he was named Entrepreneur of the Year and Small Business of the Year at last year's gala, so he's stepping up from the winner's podium to the head of the table. Reach Plc remains the media partner.

Tickets are £90 plus VAT each, or £850 plus VAT for a table of 10, if you're bringing the whole team along.