First set of finalists revealed for the 2025 East Staffordshire & South Derbyshire Business Awards
The first set of finalists for the 2025 East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards have been revealed.
Organisers received a record-breaking number of applications this year, with finalists selected from a diverse range of businesses across the region.
Winners will be revealed at the prestigious Gala Awards Evening on 13 November, held at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton-on-Trent. This year’s first set of finalists are:
| Category | Sponsor | Finalists |
| Young Employee of the Year | Burton and South Derbyshire College | Kaitlyn Watson – Bloods & Beyond Connie Austin – Ego Technology Jack Pinegar – Hi-Tech Fabrication Douglas Hughes – The HEX Group |
| Rising Star Award | The HEX Group | Pip Waite – Fight Station Kickboxing Marcus Holder – Devtank Nathan Kinson – Toons Furnishers |
| Most Promising Start-up Business | Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub | Hardwick Studio Architects Mint Cocktail Company HLÆFDIGE Progress Planner |
| Small Business of the Year | Timms Solicitors | Bloods and Beyond Fight Station Kickboxing Pro-Tech MOT & Automotive Academy Bambinos and Beyond |
| Best Customer Service | Burton and District Chamber of Commerce | Firebird Firewalks Aangan Mayfield Snuggery Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre |
The remaining finalists will be revealed next week.
Dave Bryon, host of the awards, said: “We are delighted by the response this year, for an awards ceremony that continues to go from strength to strength.
“The number of entries highlights the creativity, innovation and dedication of businesses in our area. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Gala Awards Evening in November.”
The Steering Committee and Judging Panels, consisting of industry experts and community leaders, will conduct site visits with the finalists throughout October to ensure a thorough evaluation ahead of the ceremony.
Dave added: “Each year, it becomes clearer just how much talent and ambition exists across East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire. Every entry tells a story of hard work, resilience, and the drive to succeed in a competitive business landscape.
“Good luck to all of the businesses that have submitted applications!”
The awards feature 10 categories, including innovation, customer service, and overall business performance, and businesses are encouraged to enter multiple categories.