The Shortlist -
This is Manchester Awards® 2026

The 2026 nominees are:

Creative & Communications Impact Of The Year

  • Federica Whitefoot – Founder Studio Dimora
  • GIFS Media x Jacob & Co x Manchester City
  • CUPRA – ‘BEYOND REBEL’ – AT THE CUPRA CITY GARAGE : How CUPRA Turned Manchester into the Global Stage for the Raval
  • Roland Dransfield – Evening4Ricky
  • #DeserveBetter – The Prominence Collective & The Proud Trust
  • #WidowedAndForgotten & #WidowedAtChristmas – The Prominence Collective & The Widowed Collective
  • Parent Mental Health Day – The Prominence Collective for Cocoon Healthcare
  • Late Stage Neurodiversity Diagnosis – The Prominence Collective & At the Millpond
  • Noticed. | LinkedIn Marketing Agency
  • Natalia Dubynska – Brand Strategist, Navae Global
  • CUPRA City Garage Manchester: 250 Events. One Year. One Creative City.
  • ME comms: Chotto Matte Manchester Launch

Diversity & Inclusion Leader / Change Maker Of The Year

  • GTD Healthcare – Outstanding Contribution to Patient Care and Community Health
  • LOVEARTPIX
  • Edwin Buckley – The Prominence Collective
  • Sea Support Services Ltd
  • Jerri Prior: Bridging the Gaps in Neurodivergent Mental Health Support
  • Jillian Alexander – Solicitor, Slavery Support Expert & Advocate, Founder of Unbound Programme CIC
  • ON-DEMAND LINGUISTICS – Breaking Language Barriers… Because Every Voice Deserves to Be Heard

Entrepreneur Of The Year

  • Matthew Burgess – MattB Customs
  • Yvette Fitzhenry l Financially Empowering Northern Female-led SMEs
  • Ashley Liddell | Deviation – The Search Everywhere® Agency
  • Adele Reid – Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Andy Lang – Munny Group Limited
  • April Wild – Founder of WILD & WILD
  • Vicky Owen – Social Media Strategist
  • Marcello Distefano – San Carlo
  • Lauren Winn, Founder & Managing Director, Lucas White Payroll Services
  • Niall Ratcliffe | CEO of noticed.
  • Craig Stephen Barclay – Box Recruitment
  • Bobby Singh from Mr Mobile

Force Of Fashion Of The Year

  • Body Mind Educate CIC
  • WE ARE BEPO
  • J.O.STUDIO
  • Armand Beasley
  • Wongs Jewellers

Hospitality Personality Of The Year

  • Megan Ruiter – Mar PR Ltd
  • Ernest van Sitters – Oddfellows On The Park
  • Charlie Hayes – Defaqto Leisure Ltd
  • Matt Townley – Dakota Hotels
  • Philip Murphy – The Bridgewater Hall
  • Sarah Bickford
  • Vikki Allen – AO Arena

Individual Making A Difference

  • Craig Henderson -The Neurodivergent Barber
  • Ian Carberry for Weaste pride
  • Christie Spurling MBE FRSA – N-Gage
  • Mick Jelley – Boxing coach 50 years in the community
  • Tommy McDonagh – Project Manchester
  • Andy Lang – Munny Group Limited
  • Gemma Aitchison
  • Gareth Harold Shenton
  • Adam Ward – The Outdoor Collaborative
  • Steve Hill MBE
  • Parvez Qadir, Artistic Director, Breaking Barriers
  • Roman Dibden – BREAKOUT

Individuals and/or Organisations Promoting Well-Being

  • Girls On The Go: Making the UK a Less Lonely Place for Women
  • Pure Unity Health Group North-West
  • No.93 Community Hub
  • Munny & Perkbox Employee Digital Wellbeing Programme
  • WHYSUP
  • Prior Mindset: Improving Mental Health Through Evidence, Access and Understanding
  • Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics
  • Xena Consultancy – Helping the People Who Help the People
  • Projuvenate: A New Approach To Living
  • Martina Witter – Rapha Therapy & Training Services
  • The Grix Sisters

Leading Arts & Culture Venue Of The Year

  • Lowry
  • Contact Theatre
  • Palace Theatre & Opera House
  • Winterland Bar

Leading Bar / Club Of The Year

  • Albert’s Schloss Manchester
  • The Horse and Jockey
  • Federico
  • Henry C
  • Posie
  • Stables Tavern
  • Sexy Fish Manchester
  • The Definitely Maybe Bar
  • 20 Stories
  • Cloud 23
  • Atlas Bar
  • Portfolio MCR

Leading Chef Of The Year

  • Alfonso Esposito – Circolo Popolare
  • Executive Head Chef Robert Travis – Manchester Hall
  • HEAD CHEF MUTLU MERT TARHAN – VİNO CİCCHETTİ
  • Britt Wardle – 10 Tib Lane
  • Bobby Szynaka – Executive Head Chef at The Rex
  • Candice Gianna Pryce – The Ivy Manchester
  • Julian Pizer – Portfolio MCR

Leading Hotel Of The Year

  • INNSiDE by Melia
  • LEVEN Manchester
  • Treehouse Hotel Manchester
  • Kimpton clocktower hotel
  • Mollie’s Manchester
  • Hilton Garden Inn, Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground

Leading Live Event Of The Year

  • FORMATGG: The Ultimate Gaming Nightlife Festival
  • NatWest SE100 Impact Pioneers Awards
  • Summer Concert Series – Leigh Sports Village
  • Open Fire Dining Club – Mcr Finest
  • English National Opera: Così Fan Tutte at The Bridgewater Hall
  • The Brit Fest
  • The Unseen Room: An Evening of Magic
  • Manchester Board Game Festival
  • The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards
  • Strictly Seashell 2026
  • Góbéfest

Leading Live Event Venue Of The Year

  • Co-op Live
  • Leigh Sports Village
  • Manchester United Events Venue
  • The Bridgewater Hall
  • Nancy Spains – Manchester
  • Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground

Leading Restaurant Of The Year (Casual)

  • Cafe 19
  • Butter Bird
  • Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
  • The Firehouse
  • Circolo Popolare Manchester
  • The Cotton House – Helmshore
  • The Black Friar – Salford
  • Canto Ancoats
  • Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar
  • 10 years of The Refuge
  • Sicilian NQ
  • 20 Stories

Leading Restaurant Of The Year (Formal)

  • Vino Cicchetti
  • The Cut & Craft
  • LI~LY Restaurant by Aiden Byrne, Knutsford, Cheshire
  • King Street – San Carlo Manchester
  • 10 Tib Lane
  • Fogo de Chão
  • Chotto Matte Manchester
  • Portfolio MCR
  • Peter Street Kitchen

Leading Retail Business / Brand Of The Year

  • Plant Blends
  • Wongs Jewellers
  • Ultra LEDs
  • The Trafford Centre

Leading Sustainability & Impact Of The Year

  • Laura Kulikauske – Recycle Proline
  • Jess O Riley Turning Abandoned Festival Tents Into High Fashion
  • Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, a Verified Net Zero Hotel
  • The Bridgewater Hall

Leading Technology / Digital Innovator Of The Year

  • Boltbar
  • Aiyla Ltd
  • Introducing eM Our AI Powered Money Coach -Munny Group Limited
  • EDGEY
  • Noticed. | LinkedIn Marketing Agency

One To Watch - Young Person Of The Year

  • Amber Morgan – Malmaison Hotel
  • Megan Ruiter – Mar Pr Ltd
  • Vicky Owens -Social Media Strategist
  • VİNO CİCCHETTİ HEAD CHEF MUTLU MERT TARHAN
  • Rosie – From Patient to Paediatric Nurse
  • Jack Liepa
  • Sarah Bickford
  • Isabella Xenopoulos – One Million Mentors
  • Talia-Rose Whitehouse | Chotto Matte |
  • Keira Penney
  • Rocco Greene
  • Herbie Hursthouse – Together Money
  • Daisy Richards – LSL Financial Services

Organisation Making A Difference

  • Change The Youth NW: Giving Every Young Person the Chance to Thrive
  • The 0161 Project Manchester
  • Becky Body Mind Educate CIC
  • Introducing Money Coach Programme – Munny Group
  • SPOONS CHARITY
  • Manchester Foundation Trust Charity
  • Lowry
  • The Outdoor Collaborative: Building Confidence and Community Through Outdoor Creativity
  • Leigh Sports Village
  • WHYSUP & JD Foundation
  • Possabilities CIC
  • Creating Lasting Change Through Cricket – Lancashire Cricket Foundation
  • Futuremakers Opening Doors – The Dame Robina Shah Foundation

Outstanding Business Of The Year

  • Deviation | The Search Everywhere® Agency
  • MAR PR LTD
  • ABC+ Warranty – Outstanding Business of the Year
  • Bridgestone Construction Ltd – Building Greater Manchester’s Future
  • EDGEY
  • The Prestbury Advisory.
  • San Carlo Group
  • Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics
  • Wongs Jewellers
  • Ultra LEDs
  • Nancy Spains – Manchester
  • Ethical Workforce Solutions Limited

Outstanding Debut Of The Year

  • Chotto Matte Manchester
  • Layla’s – Coffee, Brunch & Community
  • Vino Cicchetti
  • SJB Consultancy
  • BREAKOUT – Built Different By Design
  • Wongs Jewellers
  • ON-DEMAND LINGUISTICS – A Remarkable Debut in Inclusive Communication
  • Portfolio MCR

Woman Of The Year

Nominate
  • Megan Ruiter
  • Adele Reid – ABC Warranty
  • Alex Wilkinson Head of Public Sector at SCC
  • April Wild – Founder of WILD & WILD
  • Vicky Owens
  • Carol Nolan – On The Street Education
  • Jerri Prior –Turning Barriers into Purpose and Change
  • Jessica Southworth – Leading With Purpose
  • Jillian Alexander – Solicitor, Slavery Support Expert & Advocate, Founder of Unbound Programme CIC
  • Rio Corlett – RC at The Studio
  • Veronika Janoscikova MREC CertRP – Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities… Because Every Voice Deserves to Be Heard
  • Rachel Law, CEO of PossAbilities CIC