Tidal wave of entries for this year's Portsmouth Business Awards as the prestigious 2026 shortlist is revealed
A tidal wave of entries have been submitted for this year’s Portsmouth Business Awards as we unveil those employers, employees and budding businesses who have made it onto this year’s shortlist.
There were a huge number of entries for the 2026 News Business Excellence Awards giving the judges a difficult task deciding who will make the cut in each of the 19 categories up for grabs.
Now that the shortlist is decided, a core panel of judges will deliberate over who will be named winners in each - ranging from the best sustainable business to the best visitor attraction.
They are also deciding who will be named Overall Business of the Year, a special award where only the category winners are eligible. Then there is the Overall Contribution to Business Award, which will be presented to someone judged to have made a significant contribution to the Portsmouth area’s business community.
The winners of these two special awards, and the 18 categories, will be announced on February 27 at a prestigious gala black tie dinner and ceremony to be held at Portsmouth Guildhall - the highlight of the business year in the city.
Editor Kelly Brown said: “We have been overwhelmed by not only the sheer volume of entries to this year’s awards but also by the high quality of them all as well - which made it particularly challenging just to create this year’s short list.
“It just goes to show the real depth of fantastic businesses and individuals we have in Portsmouth as well as its surrounding towns and villages which are the lifeblood of our community.
“Judging this year will not be easy, but that’s exactly how we want it to be. We want to name the best of the best, and this year we surely will do just that!
“This year is also an extra-special one as Portsmouth celebrates its 100th anniversary of becoming a city with its Portsmouth100 celebrations. And to celebrate we have a special category called the Portsmouth100 Centenary Award celebrating businesses that have had a lasting, positive impact on the city's social and economic well-being during the last century.
”Our city is also putting together its bid to become the 2029 City of Culture, with a number of those in the shortlist also involved in showcasing the city to the judges, and we at The News continue to be proud to support.”
For more details about the business awards visit www.portsmouthbusinessexcellence.co.uk or contact Linda Pritchard on email at [email protected] or call 07837 308 942.
The shortlist
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Sponsored by HTP Apprenticeship College
- Aidan Whitlock, Mountjoy Ltd
- Alan Kokins, Stagecoach South
- Ben McKay, Safran Helicopter Engines UK
- Bethany Jones, Southbourne Rubber Ltd
- Daniella Ewen, Haha hair salon
- Hannah Haynes, Havant Borough Council
- Jack Cronin, Portsmouth City Council
- Jake Trussler, Griffon Marine Ltd
- Jessica McGovern-Guess, Portsmouth City Council/HTP Apprenticeship College
- John Whittle, Carbon 60
- Lauren Owen, Comserv UK Ltd
- Oli Green, Destin Chandler Hawkins Chartered Surveyors
- Sorrell Atlee, Harwin
Community Business of the Year:
- Biscoes Legal Services Limited
- Community Kettle CIC
- Comserv (UK) Ltd
- Creatful CIC
- Hampshire Flag Company
- Mountjoy LTD
- Practice Plus Group, St Mary's Portsmouth
- Seekers Social Enterprize CIC
- The Parenting Network
- Walk The Island
Cultural or Leisure Business of the Year:
- BH Live
- Charlotte C-K
- Horizon Leisure Trust
- Montserrat Events
- Portsmouth Creates
Employer of the Year:
- Biscoes Legal Services Limited
- Carrington West
- Coastal Kitchen Family
- Horizon Leisure Trust
- Millstream Productions
- Pure Communication Group (PCG)
- Right at Home
- Stagecoach
- Vespasian Security
- Waffle Studio
Entrepreneur of the Year: (Sponsored by Ashby’s Accommodation)
- Daniel O'Brien, Citrus UK
- Amy Rawcliffe, Click Marketing
- Terence Carvalho, Delivered Social
- Ella Dunn, EJ Cosmetics Ltd
- Rob Milner, Neon Numbers Ltd
- Alice Hendy, Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity
- Jade Arnell, Slater Scotney
- Sarah Roads, SLR Recruitment Solutions Ltd
- Jasmine Williams, Starfish Virtual Assistance
- Josh Sawyer, The Library Barbers
- James Robinson, Waffle Studio
Global Business of the Year (Sponsored by Radweb):
- Cormica Ltd
- Freya Rose
- PortaSauna Ltd
Hospitality Business of the Year:
- Ashby’s Accommodation
- Coffee Cup, Portsmouth
- Croxton’s Kitchen & Tap House
- La Espanola Ltd
- Sip And Solve
- The Fossil Thief
- The Gaiety Southsea
- The Queens Hotel, Portsmouth
Inclusive Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Shaping Portsmouth):
- BobbysLounge
- Comserv (UK) Ltd
- Mary Rose Museum
- Millstream Productions
- Mountjoy LTD
- New Place Hotel
- Ovio
- Portsmouth International Port
Independent Retailer of the Year:
- Blossom Boutique
- Creatiques Bridal Boutique
- Material Things
- Triple Moon Holistics
Large Business of the Year:
- Airbus Defence and Space
- Biscoes Legal Services Limited
- Carrington West
- Cormica Ltd
- Horizon Leisure Trust
- Spinnaker Tower
- Vespasian Security
Manufacturing/ Engineering Business of the Year:
- ARH Air Conditioning Limited
- Cormica Ltd
- Havant Sheet Metal
- Lumico Digital
- SBR (Southbourne Rubber)
Medium Business of the Year (Sponsored by Gunwharf Quays):
- Creative Clique
- Drayton Medical Services
- EE Renewables
- Hampshire Flag Company
- La Espanola Ltd
- Millstream Productions
- Neon Numbers Limited
- Ovio
- Oyster Design
- Pure Communication Group
Portsmouth 100 Centenary Award:
- Airbus Defence and Space
- Clarence Pier
- Cormica Ltd
- Mountjoy
- Peter Ashley Activity Centre
- PMC Construction and Development Services Ltd
- Portsmouth Aviation
- Spinnaker Tower
- The Queens Hotel, Portsmouth
Small Business of the Year Award (Sponsored by Portsmouth City Council):
- CGE Southern
- Baked by Sweet Tooth LTD
- Blossom Boutique
- Casemates Studios and Cafe
- JTMP Moling and Water Supply Services Limited
- Known For Group Limited
- Pebble Payroll Ltd
- PortaSauna LTD
- SOLD BY Sarah Oliver LTD.
- South Coast Rx Physiotherapy
- We Are Jungle
- Zuko Sports
Start-up Business of the Year:
- Stephen Hutchings/ The Coffee Hutch
- Ceri - Espresso Glow Company
- Chaniece Alderton - The Barnet Lodge
- Gravel Hill Motor Group
- Perfect Little Castings
- PortsMed Ltd
- The Studio @ThirteenEight
Sustainable Business of the Year:
- Airbus Defence and Space
- ARH Air Conditioning Limited
- BAE Systems Maritime & Land Defence Solutions
- Eco Drift ltd
- Havant Sheet Metal
- Share (Portsmouth)
- The Island Tea & Coffee Co.
- Vintage Trainers Ltd
Visitor Attraction/ Event of the Year (Sponsored by Wightlink):
- Exploria
- Fareham Live
- Other World Escapes
- Portsmouth Historic Quarter Presents: VE Day 80
- Portsmouth Music Awards
- Southsea Food Festival 2025
- Spinnaker Tower
- Standing with Giants at Royal Armouries Fort Nelson
Young Entrepreneur:
- To be announced on the night