The Oxfordshire Business Awards (OXBA) is thrilled to reveal the finalists for its 30th annual Awards Dinner celebration, recognising the exceptional achievements and contributions of businesses from across the county.

Shortlisted across nine award categories, this year’s finalists represent the very best of Oxfordshire’s thriving business community. Winners will be revealed at the highly anticipated Oxfordshire Business Awards Dinner, taking place on Friday 12 June at Oxford Brookes University’s John Henry Brookes Building. The evening will be hosted by Peter Rhoades-Brown.

“Celebrating 30 Years of the Oxfordshire Business Awards”

This year, the OXBA will proudly mark its 30th anniversary - three remarkable decades dedicated to recognising, rewarding and celebrating the outstanding excellence of Oxfordshire’s diverse and dynamic business community. Since its founding, the OXBA Dinner has established itself as a cornerstone of the county’s business calendar, consistently honouring the vision, resilience, and creativity that continue to define and drive the success of our vibrant local economy.

Organised and supported by some of Oxfordshire’s leading organisations, this year’s event will not only celebrate the success of the shortlisted winners and finalists, it will also be an evening to recognise the Awards milestone 30th year. The evening will bring together finalists, sponsors and members of the wider business community for an evening of celebration along with opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Heather Wood, Chair of the Oxfordshire Business Awards and Founder of Keep Me Fabulous, said: “Congratulations to all this year’s finalists, and thank you to everyone who entered or submitted nominations. The calibre of entries has been exceptionally high, reflecting the remarkable talent, innovation and resilience across Oxfordshire’s business landscape. We are now very much looking forward to announcing the winners on Friday 12 June and celebrating alongside some of the county’s most inspiring businesses.”

The Oxfordshire Business Awards 2026 Shortlisted Finalists Are:

INNOVATION AWARD
SPONSORED BY THE OXFORD SCIENCE PARK
Greencore Homes
Scancell
SpecialEffect 

NEW BUSINESS AWARD
SPONSORED BY ENTERPRISE OXFORDSHIRE
Kickstand (Lotus Café)
Tradecert
Tribela 

YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY MATHEWS COMFORT FINANCIAL PLANNING
Analise Firth, Mossinator
Aaron Posey, Oxford Event Hire
Ben Thompson, Thompson & Terry Recruitment 

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY HAYS
Airbus Helicopters UK
Response Organisation
Valda Energy

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD
SPONSORED BY HOWDEN
Bicester Motion
Greencore Homes
Thame Cars 

SME OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY OXFORDSHIRE ADVANCED SKILLS
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP
Dr Cassie & Associates
JT Interiors

TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE AWARD
SPONSORED BY GRAVITA
After Cloud
U-Ploid Biotechnologies
Versantus 

CHARITY & COMMUNITY AWARD
SPONSORED BY GREATEST HITS RADIO
Style Acre
Sobell House Hospice
Home-Start Oxford 

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY OXFORDSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS
Darren Aston, Aston & James
Cathy Dunbabin, Opendoorz
Edgar Rayner, LTi Metaltech

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
SPONSORED BY OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

To be announced on the night