Pictured: 2025 Winners, photograph by Heidi Marfitt
Innovation, excellence, and community spirit are taking centre stage as the Ilkley Business Awards celebrates its landmark 10th anniversary. Organisers have officially pulled back the curtain on the 2026 finalists following a “record-breaking” judging session that showcased the very best of the local economy.
Tasked with the difficult challenge of narrowing down an unprecedented field of entries, an expert panel of independent judges gathered at The Craiglands Hotel on Friday, 23 January. The distinguished panel included Susanne Marchant, Head of Enterprise Programmes at University of Leeds Business School; Sarah Howsen from Skipton BID; David Spicer from the University of Bradford; and Richard Hayden, Managing Director at Madeby7.
After careful consideration and rigorous debate, the committee is proud to announce the following businesses and individuals as the finalists for 2026:
Best Boss of the Year 2026
Nicky Harris – The Driving Academy
Phillip & Joseph Dawson – Joseph Bespoke Hairdressing
Victoria Thompson – Norton & Townsend Bespoke Tailoring
Rising Star of the Year 2026
Chevaughn Leering – Esscroft Private Nursery
George Hammond – LFW Podiatry
Grace Andrews – Home Instead Ilkley
Best New Business of the Year 2026
Moor Fruit & Veg
Regent Dental
The Little Calf
Best Hair & Beauty Business of the Year 2026
Claire Wareham Hair Specialists
Lexa Hair
The Unique Barbers
Best Professional Services Business of the Year 2026
Brooke Financial
Kip McGrath Ilkley
LCF Law
Best Side Hustle Business of the Year 2026
Designer Travel by John Redding
The Brewer at Number Nine
The Paint Box Menston
Best Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year 2026
A Tidy Mind Team
Flow Osteopathy Clinic Ilkley
YPC Health
Best Excellence in Care Business of the Year 2026
Carers and Companions
Esscroft Private Nursery
Right at Home Ilkley
Best Long Serving Staff Member of the Year 2026
Dom O’Sullivan – The Craiglands Hotel
Jenny Chapman – Ashlands Veterinary Centre
Jodie Pope – OnePay
Stuart Baker – Lishman’s of Ilkley
Best Food, Drink & Entertainment Business of the Year 2026
Ilkley Green Room
The Ilkley Tap
Martinez Wine
Best B2C of the Year 2026
Bathe of Wharfedale
Full Circle Funerals Ilkley
The Carriage
Best B2B of the Year 2026
Ideal Extraction
OnePay
Readshaw Interiors
The Ilkley Business Awards committee would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the sponsors whose generous support makes this celebration of our vibrant local business community possible.
The successful winners will be announced at the glittering 10th Anniversary Ilkley Business Awards event, which takes place on the evening of Friday 6th March 2026 at The Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley.
It’s going to be a very special night, celebrating 10 fabulous years of the Ilkley Business Awards!
