Finalists revealed in 2026 Glasgow Business Awards

The shortlist spans categories ranging from digital technology and innovation to sustainability, community wealth building and workplace culture, reflecting the increasingly diverse nature of Glasgow’s business community.

Among the contenders for the award for Best Performing Large Business are Allied Vehicles, George Leslie, Matthew Algie, Peel Ports Clydeport and Silverburn. Six firms are in contention for the Best Performing Small-Medium Business title, including Minerva Innovation Group, Synlata and The Solutions on Demand Group.

The innovation categories feature a mix of established organisations and emerging growth businesses. Candid AI appears on two shortlists, while Clyde Gateway is nominated in both Excellence in Communications and Innovation in Business. Green Fulfilment, which has earned recognition in previous years, is shortlisted for Best Use of Digital Technology, while entrepreneur Cain Fleming is among those competing for Entrepreneur of the Year.

Organisations shortlisted for Community Wealth Building include Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Homes for Good and the University of Glasgow’s Glasgow Riverside Innovation District Civic Grant Fund. Meanwhile, contenders for Green Champion range from bicycle-powered coffee roaster Dear Green to social enterprise Kinder Handl Community Enterprise.

Several businesses feature repeatedly across different categories. Silverburn is shortlisted for both Best Performing Large Business and Fair and Healthy Workplace, while Peel Ports Clydeport appears in the Best Performing Large Business and Net Zero Achievement categories. Matthew Algie is nominated for both Best Performing Large Business and Sustainable Development.

One of the most closely-watched categories is likely to be Glasgow’s Favourite Business, which is decided entirely by a public vote. This year’s shortlist comprises six familiar names: Citizens Theatre, Paesano Pizza, Pure Roasters, Scottish Design Exchange, Tennent’s and Trespass. This category is sponsored by The Herald’s sister paper, The Glasgow Times.

The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Glasgow Business Award for Most Outstanding Business, regarded as the event’s highest honours. Last year the lifetime accolade went to Professor Sir Jim McDonald, while EGG Lighting was named Most Outstanding Business.

“This year’s shortlist reflects the depth and ambition of Glasgow’s business community, from established employers to founders building something new,” said Richard Muir, deputy chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. “Each of these organisations is investing in its people, strengthening the communities around it and contributing to the wider Glasgow economy.”

“Glasgow’s Favourite Business is the one award decided entirely by the public, and I would encourage people across the city to vote for the businesses they value most. We look forward to recognising every one of them when the winners are announced on October 1.”

The awards have become one of the best-established fixtures in Scotland’s business calendar. Last year’s ceremony saw ACS Clothing named Most Outstanding Business after also securing victories in the Fair and Healthy Workplace and Innovation in Business categories, while Allied Vehicles retained the Best Performing Large Business title.

The 2025 awards attracted entries from across Glasgow’s business community, from major employers and established institutions to fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures, a breadth again reflected in this year’s shortlist.

The full Glasgow Business Awards 2026 shortlist:

The Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Large Business

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