Business leaders and entrepreneurs from across Cheshire and North Wales gathered on Friday 5 June 2026 to celebrate their achievements over the past 12 months.
More than 280 people gathered in the Pavilion Suite at Chester Racecourse for the Cheshire and North Wales Business Awards 2026, hosted by Downtown in Business.
This year’s event, sponsored by Crime Prevention Services, celebrated leading companies, business figures and entrepreneurs, and recognised their valuable contribution to the growth of the Cheshire and North Wales regional economy.
Among the day’s winners were Rick Parry, former CEO of the Football League, Louise Stewart of Chester Racecourse, and Eastgate Square Shopping Centre, who received the Man of the Year, Woman of the Year and Business of the Year awards respectively.
A full list of the winners is below:
Winners
Newcomer of the Year 2026
Flat Taverns
Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2026
Rio Williams, Pario Holiday Parks
Marketing Personality of the Year 2026
Jane Entwistle, Entyce Creative
Change Maker of the Year 2026
Professor Eunice Simmons, University of Chester
Social Impact Award 2026
Chester Zoo
Hospitality Business Personality of the Year 2026
Phil Doyle & Elisher Dean, Duck & Dagger
Unsung Hero Award 2026
Luka Morrell, Chester BID
Property Company of the Year 2026
D2 Architects
Property Personality of the Year 2026
Samantha Carman, Carman Friend
Financial Services Company of the Year 2026
DJH Associates
Business Services Firm of the Year 2026
Staff 86
Legal Firm of the Year 2026
Aaron & Partners
Professional Services Personality of the Year 2026
Jim McDonnell, Zodeq
Business of the Year 2026
Eastgate Square Shopping Centre
Man of the Year 2026
Rick Parry
Woman of the Year 2026
Louise Stewart, Chester Racecourse
Chairs Award 2026
Trudy Burrows
Chief Executives Award 2026
Karen Farrell, Crime Prevention Services
