On Friday 23rd January we welcomed our panel of independent judges to Ilkley. Our judges, all of whom are experts from outside the LS29 area to ensure total impartiality, spent the day together, carefully reviewing every single entry. They were incredibly impressed by the innovation, resilience, and passion shown by our local business community this year.
After much deliberation and some very tough decisions, we are thrilled to announce the shortlist for our 10th anniversary year.
The 2026 Finalists are:
Best Boss
Sponsored by LCF Law
Nicky Harris, The Driving Academy
Phillip & Joseph Dawson, Joseph Bespoke Hairdressing
Victoria Thompson, Norton & Townsend Bespoke Tailoring
Rising Star
Sponsored by Ideal Extraction
Chevaughn Leering, Esscroft Private Nursery
George Hammond, LFW Podiatry
Grace Andrews, Home Instead Ilkley
Long Service Staff Member
Sponsored by Right at Home
Dom O’Sullivan, The Craiglands Hotel
Jenny Chapman, Ashlands Veterinary Centre
Jodie Pope, OnePay
Stuart Baker, Lishman’s of Ilkley
New Business
Sponsored by Elite Accountancy
Moor Fruit & Veg
Regent Dental
The Little Calf
Hair & Beauty
Sponsored by Mayfield View Care Home
Claire Wareham Hair Specialists
Lexa Hair
The Unique Barbers
Professional Services
Sponsored by Ashlands Veterinary Centre
Brooke Financial
Kip McGrath Ilkley
LCF Law
Side Hustle
Sponsored by Elliot Rose Consulting
Designer Travel by John Redding
The Brewer at Number Nine
The Paint Box Menston
Health & Wellbeing
Sponsored by James Hall Coaching
A Tidy Mind Team
Flow Osteopathy Clinic Ilkley
YPC Health
Food, Drink & Entertainment
Sponsored by One Tivoli Place
Ilkley Green Room
The Ilkley Tap
Martinez Wine
Excellence in Care
Sponsored by Ilkley Town Council
Carers and Companions
Esscroft Private Nursery
Right at Home Ilkley
B2C Business
Sponsored by Esscroft Private Nursery
Bathe of Wharfedale
Full Circle Funerals Ilkley
The Carriage
B2B Business
Sponsored by Leap into Languages
Ideal Extraction
OnePay
Readshaw Interiors
Huge congratulations to all of our finalists! Making the shortlist is a massive achievement and the winners will be officially announced at our spectacular black-tie Award Ceremony.
It promises to be a night of glitz, glamour, and local pride as we celebrate a decade of business excellence in Ilkley on Friday 6th March 2026 at The Craiglands Hotel.
Tickets are £59 per person (Includes drinks reception, 3-course gala dinner, and entertainment).
Tickets are limited and often sell out quickly once finalists are announced, so be sure to secure your place at the biggest business event of the year!
