The Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards are back for 2026, with double award winner Beverley Leisure Homes helping shape the future success of the annual celebration
Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards – FEO chair and current Entrepreneur of the Year, David Hall, second right, and Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards organisers Simon Jones and Jane Smallwood, left, with Jan Brumby, CEO of FEO, right.(Image: Fred PR/Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards)
The Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards are returning for 2026, with a double winner from last year’s silver anniversary celebration now playing a key role in shaping its continued success.
Following a memorable evening at the gala event in November, Beverley Leisure Homes managing director David Hall has been appointed chair of headline partner For Entrepreneurs Only, the Hull-based leadership support organisation.
The royally-recognised group teamed up with talent entrepreneur Simon Jones and events specialist Jane Smallwood in 2025, with Mr Hall now pledging the former Queen’s Award winner’s commitment for the long term.
He said: “FEO should be associated with the biggest events as we are one of the biggest business organisations out there. Simon has really given it a different feel, injecting his youthful enthusiasm, so it is good for FEO to ensure that support is there. I see it as a long-term relationship between FEO and Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards, and as a partnership we’re learning together. There’s a drive from both organisations to make what they do better each year.”
Mr Jones, the driving force behind the highly-regarded Top 30 Under 30 programme, is gearing up for the third edition of the awards under his stewardship, and the 26th since its launch by the Hull Daily Mail. Last year’s event recorded a 45% surge in entries across the 12 categories, reports Business Live.
The triumph has energised Mr Hall regarding the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards, having secured Entrepreneur of the Year while his Beverley Leisure Homes firm claimed Small Business of the Year. He said: “I didn’t realise quite how important these events were, for the business and for the team. We spend so much time in an industry bubble, where we’re quite well known, but we were all inspired by what we saw from the local business community.
“To win was fantastic for the business too. The awards sit next to our signing-in book in our reception, so whether it is a couple coming to look at a new lodge or someone selling insurance, they know we have won. They are great talking points, and with the industry having been in quite a negative place over the past few years, to have such a positive story is a refreshing change for us. It was a focal point for the business year.”
Three significant new partners have also come aboard for 2026, with BAE Systems, HandH Comms and Siemens Gamesa joining the current sponsors. Companies throughout Hull and East Yorkshire are now being encouraged to raise their profile in similar fashion, with submissions for 2026 now open.
Mr Jones said: “It was a big step forward last year. We are building confidence in the awards, and we need to celebrate and provide that platform.
“It is more important than ever, that we celebrate success as a business community. We are all facing challenges, we all know it is not easy out there, that’s why good news, making a difference and growing and trying things against the tide is really something to shout about. We need to showcase what is possible in difficult times. It is easy to say ‘not now’ when things are tough, it gives us excuses for not doing things and not being bold. We need more people to be bold and brave, not less.”
Entries close on 18 September, with the awards ceremony taking place on 19 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hull. Full details on how to enter and the criteria for each category are available on the website which can be found here.
This year’s award categories are:
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Start-Up Business of the Year (Less than two years old).
Small Business of the Year (Less than 50 employees).
Best Place to Work.
Environmental and Sustainability Award.
Charity of the Year.
Innovation Award.
Entrepreneur of the Year.
Team of the Year.
Large Business of the Year.
Growth Award.
Rising Star.
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