Stray Ferret Business Awards 2026 – shortlists announced

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Entrants to the Stray Ferret Business Awards can finally find out today if they've made the cut, as we reveal the shortlists for all 10 categories.

Fifty-five finalists are still in with a chance of carrying off an award, and they're all listed below.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, which are sponsored for the fourth year running by Harrogate-based financial adviser Prosperis, are open to businesses across the Harrogate district, and once again attracted entries from every sector.

The shortlists are the result of an intense day's deliberating by our panel of distinguished judges. The head judge was Prosperis chief executive Niall Gunn, and he was joined by Clare Morrow, former TV executive and current chair of Bettys & Taylors Group, and James Rycroft, chief executive of Harrogate-based Vida Healthcare.

Tamsin O'Brien, founder and director of the Stray Ferret, said:

Every one of the finalists will receive a free ticket to the Stray Ferret Business Awards ceremony, which will be held at Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday, March 26.

Tickets are still available to buy, and can be reserved via the Stray Ferret Business Awards website.

The Shortlists

Best Employer – sponsored by Jones Myers

• Appetite for Life
• The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• The Soundproofing Store
• Visiting Angels North Yorkshire
• West Park Care

Best Independent Retailer – sponsored by Hornbeam Park

• H2K Botanicals
• Harrogate Jewellers
• Just Makers
• The Oldest Sweet Shop

Best Use of Digital – sponsored by Skinny Design

• Dishang Group
• Fodder - Great Yorkshire Food Hall
• Rufford’s
• Visiting Angels

Business of the Year – sponsored by S&W

• The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• Harrogate Family Law
• Impulse Decisions
• Swinton Estate
• Greenwoods Solicitors
• Visiting Angels
• Walker Foster Limited

Dynamic Leader – sponsored by Ogden of Harrogate

• Liz Cluderay, Artizan
• Richard Doyle, Pabasso
• Nathan Evans, Radfield Home Care, Harrogate
• Neil Harper, Lightwater Quarries
• Kirsty Page, West Park Care and JC Homecare
• Dan Siddle, The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• Ellie Stones, Lost Earth Adventures

Employee Appreciation – sponsored by Vida Healthcare

• Chris Hardy, nynet Ltd
• Marybeth Kirk, Visiting Angels North Yorkshire
• Isabel Lee, Harrogate Family Law
• Jason McLoughlin, Lightwater Quarries
• Pauline Osborne, Visiting Angels
• Michael Primrose, W Bowers Services to the Bereaved
• Kerry Stamp, The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• Sara Troup, Artizan
• Colin Tucker, Great Yorkshire Events Centre

Family Business – sponsored by HMCA

• Børn of the Forest CIC
• Greenwoods Solicitors
• Ogden of Harrogate
• West Park Care and JC Homecare

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors

• Artizan
• Roboodles
• Vida Healthcare

Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants

• Bethany Allen, Harrogate BID
• Freddie Calvert, Lightwater Quarries
• Jonathan Day, DSSR Consulting Engineers
• Josh Hill, The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
• Heather Hutchinson, Be Full Bloom
• James MacLeod, DSSR Ltd Consulting Engineers
• Steve Murray, Howard Conrad
• Evie Simpson, nynet Ltd

Sustainable Business – sponsored by the Stray Ferret

• Lightwater Quarries
• Mamas Eco Clean
• Niche Design Architects
• Number Thirteen
• Swinton Estate