Finalists announced for prestigious BECBC Business Awards

THE finalists for one of Cumbria’s most anticipated business awards ceremonies have been revealed.

The BECBC Business Awards celebrate the innovation, resilience and collaboration that define the county’s energy sector supply chain.

This year's ceremony, which will feature 40 shortlisted finalists, will take place at Energus, Lillyhall, Workington, on Thursday, November 19.

BECBC Chair Tom Scaife said: "I'd like to congratulate everyone who has made it to the final. We had an incredible number of high-quality entries this year and whittling them down was a tough process for the shortlisting judges.

"Now our panel of travelling judges face another difficult task as they visit the shortlisted companies and individuals. Made up of BECBC team members along with representatives from sponsors and our member businesses who are previous award winners, these visits are a hallmark of the rigorous BECBC Business Awards process."

The awards recognise success across 13 sponsored categories, including sustainability, growth, collaboration and entrepreneurship.

They also celebrate outstanding individuals from both micro and larger businesses. With finalists representing organisations of all sizes, the awards showcase the breadth of talent driving Cumbria's energy sector.

Sellafield Ltd is the headline sponsor of the 2026 BECBC Business Awards, reinforcing its longstanding support for the region's business community and the vital role of its supply chain partners.

This year, Sellafield is also sponsoring the Business of the Year category, which is open to businesses of all sizes.

The Business Person of the Year category recognises a business owner or employee who has demonstrated outstanding commercial acumen and leadership, while the Rising Star award celebrates someone at the beginning of their career who has already made a significant contribution to their employer.

Last year saw the introduction of the John Grainger Outstanding Contribution Award, marking former BECBC Executive Director John's retirement and long-standing involvement with the organisation.

Sponsored by Nuclear Waste Services, the award returns this year to recognise an individual who has made an exceptional long-term voluntary contribution to the BECBC membership community.

Tom added: "I'd like to thank all of our award sponsors, who play a huge role in bringing our members together for a well-deserved celebration of their hard work.

"It's always a highlight of the year to see so many members recognising and celebrating the achievements that make Cumbria a centre of innovation and collaboration.

"Our members work across every tier of the energy supply chain and remain committed to driving success and growth across the county."

The BECBC Business Awards also have a strong charitable element. Last year's ceremony raised £4,535 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

This year, fundraising efforts will support BECBC's chosen charity for 2026, West Cumbrian mental health charity Always Another Way.

The finalists are:

BECBC Ambassador of the Year (sponsored by Forth, CORE and David Allen IT)

· Belle Cubby (Outward Bound)

· Daley Rogers (Flexirental)

· Dave Rossiter (Amentum)

Business of the Year (sponsored by Sellafield Ltd)

· 32West

· Alpha Engineering

· LTI

Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Westinghouse)

· Graham Cartwright (Forth Engineering)

· John McGibbon (CORE Nuclear Solutions)

· Sarah Taylor Howe (Cumbria Health)

· Glenn Anderson (NEAD CIC)

 

Charity of the Year (sponsored by Cavendish Nuclear)

· Goodlives

· Hospice at Home West Cumbria

· NEAD CIC

· Outward Bound

Empowering Next Gen (sponsored by Delkia)

· Alpha Engineering

· Aylmore Associates Ltd

· Energus

· Orano

Environmental Sustainability (sponsored by Morgan Sindall)

· Electric Executive Cars

· Numech

Growing Business (sponsored by Axiom)

· 32West

· Alpha Engineering

· FlexiRental

· LTI

Micro Business (sponsored by Amentum)

· Austwick Media

· Electric Executive Cars

· Ice Nine

· Precision HR

Partnership (sponsored by Altrad Babcock)

· Axiom

· NEAD CIC

· No Name Travel, Cumberland Council, DNWP, TDA and Workington Town Community Trust

Performance Culture (sponsored by Tetra Tech)

· Axiom

· Sellafield- Lean Leader and Lean Manager Project.

· TEG

Rising Star (sponsored by KBR)

· Charlotte Whyte (Morgan Sindall)

· Faith Hodgson (Sellafield)

· Hannah Gittins (Orano)

· Jessica Lofthouse (Axiom)

· Josh Myers (Delkia)

· Louis Wirga (Actemium)

Social Value (sponsored by Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick)

· Axiom

· Flexirental

· NEAD CIC

· No Name Travel

 

For more information about the 2026 BECBC Business Awards, visit www.becbusinesscluster.co.uk/awards-2026