FAQs

The new format will replace the Solihull Awards, the SLTC Awards and the Burton Celebratory Lunch. It will also add a regional awards element for Birmingham. The Greater Birmingham Business Awards is the new name for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards.

Enter the awards of the region you are based in, or if you are based outside of our regions, the division you are a member of.

If you are an ABCC or Global member based outside of all GBCC regions, speak to your RM for advice on how to enter.

Please note, if you are a member but based outside of the GBCC regions, you can win category awards, but you will not be eligible to win the overall Business of the Year category for any region or the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

To be considered for a Greater Birmingham Business Award, you must enter through the regional awards first. You will not be able to apply directly to the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

No. To be considered for a Greater Birmingham Business Award, you must enter through a regional awards event first.

Yes. The awards are open to Chamber members and non-members who are based in the Greater Birmingham region. Non-members are encouraged to apply, however you will not be eligible to win the overall Business of the Year.

The categories will be:

• Non-Profit Champion 2027
• Community Builder 2027
• Workplace Champion 2027
• Pioneer 2027
• Sustainability Trailblazer 2027
• Digital Revolutionary 2027
• Breakthrough Business 2027
• Business without Borders Award 2027
• Customer Commitment Award 2027
• Influencer 2027
• Business Ambassador 2027
• Business of the Year 2027

Each organisation can submit a maximum of two entries to one regional awards. 

Each organisation has a maximum of 2 entries.  Regional branches of an organisation may apply for the same category across different regions. For example, “Organisation x based in Solihull” may apply for the Influencer Award in Solihull, and “Organisation X based in Lichfield” may apply for the Influencer Award in Staffordshire Gateway.

You must firstly apply to your region's awards. Gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced at the regional awards for each category. If you achieve one of these places, you will automatically become a finalist for the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

It is not possible to apply directly to the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

Each region’s awards will see one business crowned ‘Business of the Year’ for that region, e.g. Solihull Business of the Year. This winner is determined from the category winners for that region. It does not affect their standing at the Greater Birmingham Business Awards. Non-member businesses or member businesses based outside of the relevant postcode locations will not be eligible to win their region’s ‘Business of the Year’.

The Greater Birmingham Business of the Year is determined from the category winners of the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

If you achieve silver or bronze in your region awards, you are still in with a chance of winning at the Greater Birmingham Business Awards. A second round of judging will take place with a new, impartial judging panel, giving all gold, silver and bronze finalists an equal opportunity to be crowned the overall winner.

Every business competes on the strength of its contribution and impact, judged independently by fellow business leaders across industries on results, not business size. Scores are averaged for each entry, and the top three with the highest average scores will be awarded gold, silver, bronze.

As regional winners you will automatically become the finalists for the Greater Birmingham Business Awards and will be asked to submit a video response to an additional question.

A new, independent panel of judges will assess video submissions, along with the original regional application, and agree an overall winner.

Therefore, it is possible for a business who receives bronze at their region’s awards to still win at the Greater Birmingham Business Awards.

Incorrect! Every business competes on the strength of its contribution and impact, judged independently by fellow business leaders across industries on results, not business size.

Many of our recent winners have been small businesses. 

No. All award entries are judged by a panel of judges only, which reduces any impact that voting could have based on business size.

Greater Birmingham’s business community has never had awards like this. We’ve pioneered a completely new
model that unites three regional communities under one prestigious campaign, and you can be part of driving
it.

Your sponsorship is tailored to you. You can champion a specific region, align with sustainability categories, or
be part of the entire campaign. It’s built around what matters to your business.

What will you get beyond the evening? Access to the most diverse, dynamic business community in the region.
Winners who become ambassadors. Real connections through the Chamber network. Association with awards
that shift our culture from regional competition to collective pride.

Business excellence comes from everywhere in Greater Birmingham - Solihull, Staffordshire Gateway, Royal Sutton
Coldfield, and Birmingham equally.