One month into the new year already, and we’re off to a strong start! January is always the perfect opportunity for a strategic reset and to set the tone for the year ahead. And this year is no different. Our focus over the last month was all about working with our clients, new and existing, to strategise for the 2026 awards season. Ensuring each and every one has a clear plan, with complete clarity on the award programmes and categories to enter that align with their wider business goals. And it looks like this may well be our busiest year yet! Take a look at what else we got up to in January; Celebrating Team Milestones At the start of every new quarter, we come together as a team for our quarterly team meeting. It’s a day to reflect on our results from the previous quarter and plan for the months ahead. But it’s not just about analysis and strategy, we also dedicate this time to celebrate the achievements of the team. Last quarter marked the anniversaries for Brooke our Sales and Partnership Manager, celebrating 2 years at August, and Senior Awards Writer Ben celebrating a milestone 5 years with us! We always like to take the time to recognise these anniversaries and reflect on the true depth of expertise within the team. Also last quarter, we were thrilled to welcome University of Chichester students James and Luke to the team to complete their work placements. We believe supporting emerging talent is so important to develop future strategic thinkers. We’re so impressed with the work they’ve completed so far, and can’t wait to see how they develop over the next few months! Achieving Outstanding Client Results One of the most exciting things we reflect on in January is our shortlist and win rate for the previous year, which we’re so proud to share continues to set us apart in the awards industry: 88% Shortlist Rate 69% Win Rate These figures demonstrate the strength of our strategic approach and the consistency of outcomes we deliver for all clients, no matter their business size, industry and goals.

One month into the New Year, and we're moving into the month of love, February. We can put those January blues behind us, and start entering awards (if you haven't already!) as the awards season starts to slowly ramp up. February is also a good time to review the remainder of the financial year's budget and prioritise where to spend, and plan where to invest our time and money for the next financial year. Those businesses with a strategic awards plan will be well underway, but if you haven't yet managed to create your own – don't worry, there is still time! We've hand-picked a couple of awards open now to add into your awards strategy. Take a look, and explore those that fit your business and goals: Awards to enter now The American Business Awards The American Business Awards are the premier business awards programme in the U.S.A. All organisations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small – may submit nominations. Stevie Award judges include many of the world's most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators. More than 1,000 professionals worldwide participate in the Stevie Award judging process each year. All Stevie Awards entrants have access to all judges' comments about their nominations. Deadline: 4th March 2026 The Change Awards The Change Awards is an annual, global awards programme that honours the best examples of change leadership and innovation across different sectors. The awards recognise the people, teams and organisations that have made a significant difference in driving and facilitating change in their contexts. They are open to entries from individuals and organisations. Deadline: 14th March 2026 The Marketing Society Awards The Marketing Society Awards are one of the longest-running marketing awards and champion the transformative power of marketing to drive business growth and positive societal change.

From Start-ups and SMEs, to huge global organisations, most businesses will have a marketing strategy. But despite their effectiveness, awards are often overlooked when it comes to marketing. A strategic awards strategy can really help to boost your business and brand awareness, working hand-in-hand with your marketing, all at a low cost with big impact. A professional awards strategy will; - Help you choose the most valuable awards with the biggest return on investment - Help you decide the most relevant categories you are most likely to win - Help you manage and meet all your deadlines - Help you establish a workflow (for gathering vital evidence etc.) - Help you budget for the whole awards process (entry fees, ceremonies etc.) So if you'd like to; - Enter awards you have the biggest chance of winning, - Raise your brand’s profile, - Recognise your team’s hard work, - Stop missing important industry awards, - Put an end to submitting rushed last-minute losing entries… You need an awards strategy! And if you’re not sure how to create one, we can help. Here’s why awards should be part of your marketing strategy; 1) RECOGNITION Whether you’re a winner, runner-up or a finalist, the third-party recognition you receive is invaluable. It will reinforce your marketing messages and raise your profile, so when you say you’re the best, you can prove that you really are! Winning an award shows your existing customers you are trustworthy, reliable and a good business to spend their money with. And for new customers, being award-winning will give them a reason to choose you over their competitors. Plus, an award win, or finalist announcement will impress existing stakeholders and shareholders, and can be an effective tool to win over prospective investors. 2) ADDITIONAL PR COVERAGE Becoming a finalist of an awards programme with connections to local, national and industry press means you can benefit from FREE PR, saving you ££££s!

Congratulations to all our friends, colleagues, and contacts who have been recognised with an honour in The King’s 2026 New Year Honours List. The 2026 King’s New Year Honours List recognises 1,157 individuals, from world-famous names to local legends, whose achievements have helped shape the UK's culture, communities, and global reputation. From knighthoods for national icons, to medals for grassroots champions, the Honours system remains one of the UK’s most cherished traditions. How the Honours System Works Twice a year, at New Year and the King’s official birthday in June, a list is published celebrating individuals for their outstanding contributions to society. The Honours system dates back centuries, but has evolved into a more inclusive, representative celebration of service across every walk of life. The Honours are awarded by the King, on the advice of the Cabinet Office Honours Committee. But crucially, anyone can nominate someone, making it one of the UK’s most meaningful ways to recognise merit, no matter who you are. This Year’s Honours at a Glance In 2026, a total of 1,157 people have been honoured, spanning a wide variety of fields, including: - Entertainment and arts - Sport - Science and environment - Community service and charity - Business and innovation - Education and public service This year’s list reflects a continued shift toward diversity, accessibility, and recognition of everyday heroes, alongside household names and cultural icons. Standout Stars: Arts, Entertainment and Culture A host of famous faces received honours this year, including: Idris Elba, the actor, filmmaker and philanthropist, receives a Knighthood for his work supporting young people through the arts. Cynthia Erivo, star of stage and screen, most notably for the Wicked films, receives an MBE for her contribution to music and drama.

It's a new year, and the perfect time to start planning your awards journey for 2026 if you haven't already got your awards strategy in place! Here's a small selection of awards that are open for entries right now, take a look below; 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies 2026 marks the 19th annual listing of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies™. Applicants are not required to be members, or to join the Women Presidents Organization, and will be ranked according to revenue growth from the past 5 years. In addition to being on this prestigious list, the 50 Fastest Growing Companies have the chance of being published online and in print. To be eligible, companies must be: - Privately owned - Women-owned/led - The business must have generated at least $500,000 (USD) in revenue in each of the past five years (2021-2025) - Revenues must be converted to USD - Deadline: 13 February 2026 Company Culture Awards The Company Culture Awards recognise the organisations that nurture their workforce, reward their staff, and create an environment that proves everyone is valued. The awards have categories available across the following disciplines; Mental Health Wellbeing, and Health Initiatives, Development and Training, Software/Tools, Working Environment, Individuals, and Teams. Deadline: 19 February 2026 The UK National Contact Centre Awards The UK National Contact Centre Awards are one of the longest running and the most highly respected programmes in the UK. These awards recognise the best industry talent, with judges looking for the individuals and teams who are inspirational role models, deserving recognition for the work they are doing in their contact centre operation. Among the categories offered are Contact Centre Leader of the Year, Change & Innovation Team of the Year and Best Contact Centre Culture. Plus, newly added categories include Best Colleague Engagement Programme and Best Talent Growth Programme.