The judging process for this year's Gloucestershire Business Awards is in full swing, after the official Meet the Judges event took place this September 2026.
Judges, partners and shortlisted businesses spent a sunny afternoon at Over Barn – Over Farm's charming event space – enjoying drinks and networking, giving everyone in the running for an award the chance to chat to the judging panel in person and convince them why they deserve to take home a trophy in 2026.
The event brought together some of the brightest stars in Gloucestershire's business community, spanning innovative entrepreneurs and start-ups, to some of the county's biggest global businesses.
And new for 2026, following the busy networking event, the panel had the opportunity to get together and discuss their findings at the Judges Insight Session.
Chaired by SoPublishing managing director James Fyrne, this relaxed roundtable session allowed judges to share what they'd learned about the shortlisted businesses they spoke to in more depth.
Now, the judges have two more weeks of further consideration where they can conduct their own independent research on the shortlist, before submitting their scores by Friday 25 September 2026.
The last stage in the process is the Judges Panel Meeting on Wednesday 7 October 2026 at Hotel Indigo Gloucester, where the finalists, highly commended finalists, and winners will be decided in an often heated debate!
The businesses which make it through to the awards will be announced exclusively on SoGlos on Monday 12 October 2026, where they'll be invited, along with judges, partners and special guests, to the glittering ceremony where the winners will be revealed on Thursday 5 November 2026, taking place once again at Cheltenham Town Hall.
For more information about the Gloucestershire Business Awards, and to see the full 2026 shortlist, visit soglos.com/business-awards.
