Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Exeter Chamber Summer Bash & Hidden Heroes Awards.
Back for its fifth year, the event was a true celebration of business across the county. It shone a light on the individuals, teams and organisations making a quiet but powerful impact across Devon.
It was fantastic to bring together so many businesses, organisations and individuals from across the county to celebrate the people and businesses that make Devon such a brilliant place to live, work and do business. Congratulations to our winners and finalists. Your passion, dedication and positive impact truly deserve to be recognised.
A big thank you to our Headline Sponsor, HEL Performance, for your fantastic support, and to all of our Summer Bash and Hidden Heroes Awards sponsors: Griffin Chartered Accountants, John Lewis & Partners, Veolia, Dartline, Thatchers Cider and The Ivy Collection.
Building on the success of the joint event last year, this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before and will be a true celebration of the business community, recognising the people and businesses of Exeter and surrounding areas who have made a significant impact on their own business or in driving business success in Exeter.
Open to members and non-members, the Exeter Impact Awards will celebrate the people and businesses of Exeter and surrounding areas who wouldn’t normally be recognised and are the changemakers in business.
We’ve introduced seven free-to-enter categories which aim to identify individuals who may not typically be recognised in a traditional business award and will celebrate businesses from all sectors and sizes PLUS a special award!
Don’t miss the chance to put your brand in the spotlight at our biggest event of the year! We have opportunities available to support the Exeter Chamber Summer Bash and Impact Awards.
Entries will be reviewed and judged by a panel of independent judges and will be reviewed based upon the entrant’s evidence of:
Winners will be chosen based on their huge steps forward over the past year, with each making and achieving great results in their field and being a stand-out example of Exeter’s dynamic business community.
Mike Watson, Citizens Advice Exeter
This award recognises individuals who have made a meaningful, positive impact within their organisation or the wider business community. You can nominate a colleague, or yourself, if you’ve helped drive business success in Devon.
Sandy Hogan, Citizens Advice Exeter
This award celebrates individuals who have made a positive impact on the places and spaces in Devon.
The Bagel Shop
This award recognises a business or organisation that has made a positive impact on the local business community. Whether through innovation, collaboration, or leadership, we want to hear from businesses that are helping drive success in Devon. Open to businesses of all sizes – you can nominate your own business or another that deserves recognition.
Westbank Community Health and Care
Awarded to a team (two or more people) who have collectively made a positive impact or difference to Devon.
This could be a successful event organised that has raised the profile of the county or a team effort to raise awareness of important issues to help the future of areas in the county.
Tatiana Musialska, Devon County Football Association
This award recognises an individual aged 30 or under who is making a strong start in their career or business. Whether they’ve launched a new initiative, product, or service – or are already making a big impact in their chosen field – this award celebrates young talent driving positive change in Devon.
Sponsored by Veolia
Jen Harris, The Baby Room Exeter CIC
This award recognises a business or individual who has made a positive environmental impact through their work. Whether by reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions, improving sustainability, or driving green innovation – we want to celebrate those making a difference for the planet through their business actions.
Enterprise & Innovation Programmes Team at the University of Exeter
This award is open to all Devon Chamber members who have entered any of the award categories. It recognises a Chamber member who stands out for their positive impact in driving business success in Devon.
Professor Jacqui Stedmon, Jeremiah’s Journey
If you have any queries about your submission, contact events@devonchamber.co.uk
NOMINATIONS OPEN – March 2026
TICKETS GO ON SALE – April 2026
NOMINATIONS CLOSE – Friday 22 May 2026
JUDGES MEET – 2 June 2026
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED – 9 June 2026
SUMMER BASH – 2 July 2026
Chamber members are three times more likely to survive – and thrive – than other businesses.
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