The Stray Ferret launches the 2026 Business Awards

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Is your business based in the Harrogate district, and does it deserve some recognition for its achievements over the last year? 

If the answer to both those questions is yes, then we want to hear from you.

On March 26, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will recognise the brightest and best of the region’s business talent at a superb black-tie event in the Pavilions of Harrogate, and if you think your business deserves its moment in the limelight, we want you to be there to share it with our 350 guests.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2026 are open to businesses in all sectors across the Harrogate district, including Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Masham, Nidderdale, Ripon and the surrounding areas.

Sponsors

The awards are sponsored for the fourth year running by local financial advisers Prosperis, and we also welcome back for the fourth year running Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors to sponsor the Inclusivity award, and Thompsons Accountants as sponsor of the award for the Rising Star Under 30.

They are joined by Jones Myers for Best Employer, S&W Partners for Business of the Year, and Hornbeam Park for Best Independent Retailer.

The other categories are still available to sponsor.

Also for the fourth consecutive year, LCF Law returns to sponsor the Winners’ Lounge.

Judges

Niall Gunn, the CEO of headline sponsor Prosperis, has kindly once again agreed to lead this year’s judging panel, and we're proud to announce that the other three confirmed members of the panel are all highly regarded in the business world, far beyond our district.

Harrogate-born Sarah Barry was managing director at Stray FM before becoming CEO of Harrogate Town AFC in 2021. Just two years later, she was named SkyBet League Two CEO of the Year.

Clare Morrow joined Bettys & Taylors Group as a non-executive director in 2014 and became Chair in 2020. A former journalist and ITV Yorkshire executive, she chaired Welcome to Yorkshire and is currently a University of Huddersfield council member.

James Rycroft has successfully led the growth of dementia care provider Vida Healthcare for 15 years. During that time, he has designed, developed and now operates 300 beds and employs more than 500 staff. Vida’s three care homes, in Harrogate, Starbeck and Pannal, have all been rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Categories

There are 10 award categories and businesses can enter as many as they like. Entry is free of charge.

The categories are:

• Family Business – NEW!
• Dynamic Leader
• Sustainable Business
• Rising Star Under 30
• Employee Appreciation
• Best Use of Digital
• Inclusivity Award
• Best Employer
• Best Independent Retailer
• Business of the Year

We will profile all the winners after the event, so taking time to enter now is well worth the effort!

For more information, and to enter, head to our Business Awards page.

Entries close at midday on Monday, January 19.