How nominations work at the The Legacy of Leadership Award

A nomination is a fantastic way of putting an individual, team or firm in the spotlight whose talent inspires achievements you genuinely admire. Showcasing excellence and recognising the work of others is a vital tool in the continuing battle to establish equality of opportunity across all parts of the business community — and to celebrate the public benefit of the recognition itself.

Nominations are one of the ways to make sure the best, brightest and hardest-working people in our region see their names in lights. Whether you are an individual, a colleague, a customer or a client of a business, our nominations are not only by you, but on behalf of your peers, your team and the people who matter to you.

Nominations for the 2026 awards are open from 22 April 2026 and run alongside the pre-launch of the event. They officially close on 11 September 2026 at midnight. All our award nominations are received and unofficially open six months prior to the award ceremony.

Making a nomination is very straightforward and is designed to be targeted, not time-consuming. You simply need to complete the online form for the relevant category — every entry is submitted directly to us once completed. Entries can only be accepted via the entry form. Fill out all the required information, then make sure you choose the correct category for the entry. Criteria for each award can be viewed on the categories page. Please note nominations can only be accepted per category, per individual: each category has a list of criteria that should be referred to in your nomination. You can select multiple categories in one nomination.

Nominations can be made by the prospective nominees themselves, by a third party or by the event organisers. Peers, employers, clients, suppliers, customers and colleagues who have seen excellent work first-hand are encouraged to make nominations — this is how we make sure the fullest range of candidates is put forward. Business owners and leaders who meet the criteria for a category are equally welcome to enter directly. Entries are open to all individuals, teams and businesses from every industry sector operating within the region.

Nominating someone for an award is a great way to pause and express gratitude towards your nominee. It gives you the same feeling as writing a recommendation or even just a thank-you note. There’s no better feeling for your nominee than walking up on stage and collecting the award.

Nominations are the great way to put forward the name of the nominee for a chance of putting their company in the spotlight and ensuring that all their hard work, enthusiasm and diligence have been recognised — not only by you, your colleagues and clients but by the whole region. This is the perfect opportunity to show your nominee, who time and time again go beyond what you expected from them, how much you truly appreciate what they’re doing.

The Legacy of Leadership Award nominations are all about making a difference, and there's no reason why you can't get in on the fun! For someone who constantly exceeds expectations, it feels amazing to be recognised. Nominating someone for an award is a fantastic way of putting their company or them in the spotlight. Your nominee would love nothing more than to be given the chance to express what they're doing — and to tell them how much you find their work inspiring.

You can request your customers, suppliers, team, employees or other business contacts to nominate you, or submit a self-nomination. The awards ceremony brings together hundreds of guests — finalists, judges, sponsors and business leaders from across every sector in the region. The day offers numerous networking opportunities and an outstanding occasion to recognise and reward the achievements that continue to be made across the local business community. The Legacy of Leadership Award is an excellent opportunity to grow brand awareness, build credibility and celebrate the people behind the work.

So go, show them your love and nominate someone! We look forward to receiving your nomination.

Good luck!