FIPS Business Awards 2026
Following the success of the FIPS Business Awards 2025, we are delighted to host the awards again for our second year to recognise the great and inspiring Financial, Insurance and Professional services offered in Suffolk. We invite you to either apply to one of the Five award categories detailed below, or nominate a business, team or individual you feel fit the award category.
Application timeline:
Open on the 1st June 2026
Close on the 10th September 2026
Judging will commence from the 15th September to the 29th September 2026
Finalists will be announced on the 6th October 2026
The FIPS Award dinner will be hosted on the 22nd October 2026 at Chef White’s with winners being announced on the night.
To be eligible for an award you must meet the following criteria:
Must be a Suffolk based business/individual (An individual can either be self-employed or an individual/team within an organisation who has demonstrated excellence)
Must be a trading business that operates in one of the following sectors:
Finance (accountancy, business loans & financing, asset finance, wealth management, debt-recovery, invoice discounting)
Insurance (business, professionals, fleet)
Professional Services (Solicitors, specialist services such as wills, probate & trusts, business advice and consultancy)
AWARD CATEGORIES
AWARD CATEGORIES
Applications have three-Four sections to complete, with a maximum word count of 350 words per section.
Developing the Workforce of the Future including FIPS Activities Award
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Recognise a business that has provided extensive opportunities for young people to develop their business-related knowledge and skills through work experience and/or apprenticeship opportunities including FIPS activities such as work experience and guest speakers.
Eligibility: Individuals or Business operating within the FIPS sectors in Suffolk
Judging Criteria: Impact, skills development, career development and tailored opportunities. Judges will also be looking for evidence of structure programmes of work experience, upskilling and reskilling, partnerships with education providers, creating career opportunities, offering mentorship, development and teamwork.
Innovation Award
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This award celebrates a business, team, or individual who has demonstrated outstanding innovation. Whether through new technologies, customer service models, sustainability initiatives, or transformative business practices, the winner will have delivered measurable impact, leading change in their sector, and set new standards of excellence.
Eligibility: Business, Team or individual operating within the FIPS sectors in Suffolk.
Judging Criteria: Clear evidence of innovation (product, process, service or strategy), positive impact on business performance or customer experience, contribution to sector-wide advancement or local economic growth, demonstrates scalability.
Business Leader Award
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An award for an Individual or a Company within the FIPs sector that has demonstrated superior leadership over the last 12 months; candidates need to have shown strong and effective leadership, with measurable outputs that have had a positive impact on their company or sector.
Eligibility: Individuals or Business operating within the FIPS sectors in Suffolk that can demonstrate superior leadership over the last 12 months.
Judging Criteria: Vision and strategic thinking, integrity and communication, innovation and creativity, collaboration and
teamwork, resilience and adaptability, mentorship and development.
Community Contribution Award
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Recognising ongoing and outstanding contributions to local communities that have left a meaningful and lasting impact, activities can include engagement with charities or self-organised community work.
Eligibility: Open to businesses or teams operating within the FIPS sectors in Suffolk.
Judging Criteria: Social action, philanthropy, community service and impact.
Employee of the Year Award
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An award for an Individual within the FIPs sector who has demonstrated exceptional performance and contribution over the last 12 months; candidates need to have consistently gone above and beyond in their role, delivering measurable impact and embodying the values of their organisation.
Eligibility: Open to individuals operating within the FIPS sectors in Suffolk.
Judging Criteria: Consistently achieving or exceeding objectives, initiative and proactive, team player, innovative and commitment to professionalism.
Lifetime Achievement Award
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This special award will go to a significant figure within the business community to recognise their inspiration in contributing to the local economy, community and beyond.
The FIPS board will announce the winner of this award on the night.
Suggestions are welcome and can be emailed to:
SPONSORSHIP
SPONSORSHIP
The FIPS Business Awards 2026 event is sponsored by East Anglian Daily Times. We would be delighted to hear from local organisations who would like to sponsor specific individual award categories.
You can express your interest in being a sponsor on an award application form should you be submitting an application or nomination.
Alternatively, you can contact anette.gilham@ipswich.gov.uk and kate@virtualprestige.co.uk directly to express your interest.
FIPS Dinner Award Night
22nd October 2026, 6.30pm – 10pm
You can book your place at the awards evening which will be held at Chef White’s at Suffolk New College on the evening of the 22nd October 2026. Half table bookings are welcome but limited to capacity. Book now to avoid disappointment.
Dinner Pricing for a set menu:
£50 individual
£225 for a half table of 5
Price Includes: 3 course set meal, and complimentary canapes and drinks upon arrival. Bar access throughout the evening to purchase additional drinks.
You can book your place at the awards dinner here:
*FIPS Members Only – if you have joined the FIPS membership you will receive a discount to purchased tickets, to redeem your discount simply insert your unique membership number at the checkout where indicated.