Sussex Chamber Business Award Winners 2026
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Why Cardinus Risk Management Was Selected as the Winner
Cardinus Risk Management was recognised by the judges for demonstrating a powerful combination of commercial success, innovation, customer excellence, and investment in people. Its performance over the past year showcased not only strong business growth but also a clear commitment to delivering long-term value for clients, employees, and the wider industry.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Sustained business growth and profitability, achieving £15 million in revenue and delivering record profits for a seventh consecutive year.
- Significant international reach, supporting more than 1,500 organisations worldwide, including globally recognised brands across a range of sectors.
- A strong culture of innovation, highlighted by the introduction of AI-driven motion capture technology designed to enhance workplace health and safety outcomes.
- Exceptional customer experience, evidenced by a customer satisfaction score of 94.32% and a Net Promoter Score of 72.
- Meaningful investment in people and talent development, with structured training, mentoring and coaching programmes contributing to an average employee tenure of 9.5 years.
- A clear vision for the future, including the development of a global health and safety regulatory platform to support clients operating across international markets.
Judges' Citation
Cardinus Risk Management impressed the judges with its sustained growth, international impact, innovative approach and commitment to both customer and employee success. The business demonstrated a strong balance of commercial performance and long-term strategic thinking, making it a highly deserving winner.
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Why Tom Was Selected as the Winner
Tom was recognised by the judges for his outstanding leadership, rapid career progression, and the significant impact he has made both within his organisation and across the renewable energy sector. His achievements demonstrate a strong combination of operational excellence, innovation, and commitment to developing others.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Exceptional career progression, advancing through operational and management positions to reach Director level at just 25 years old.
- Strong operational leadership, overseeing end-to-end delivery across multiple projects and ensuring high standards of performance throughout the business.
- A significant contribution to the renewable energy sector, playing a leading role in securing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations, achievements held by relatively few businesses within the industry.
- A focus on innovation and continuous improvement, introducing clearer workflows, scalable systems, and measurable performance standards that have strengthened operational effectiveness.
- A commitment to developing people, actively mentoring junior colleagues and helping to build capability, confidence, and future talent within the organisation.
Judges' Citation
Tom impressed the judges with his exceptional progression, leadership, and ability to drive meaningful change within a highly regulated and fast-growing sector. Through his commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and team development, he has delivered a lasting impact on both his organisation and the wider renewable energy industry, making him a highly deserving winner.
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Why Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd Was Selected as the Winner
Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd was recognised by the judges for its ambitious growth, innovative diversification strategy, and ability to evolve beyond its traditional market. The organisation has successfully expanded its offering, creating a connected ecosystem of services that delivers value to learners, employers, and communities while building a strong foundation for future growth.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Successful international expansion, extending operations into Denmark and demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of the Chrysalis model beyond the UK.
- Development of new digital services and platforms, including Talking Therapies, which is experiencing significant growth and broadening the organisation's reach and impact.
- Innovation in recurring revenue models, with the introduction of Chrysalis Membership creating ongoing engagement for customers while supporting sustainable business growth.
- Expansion into the corporate wellbeing market, establishing new opportunities for growth and attracting interest from recognised organisations such as The King's Trust.
- A clear and ambitious growth strategy, targeting £5 million in turnover through a balanced and diversified mix of income streams.
- Transformation of the customer journey, creating an integrated ecosystem that supports individuals from training through to employment and ongoing professional development.
Judges' Citation
Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd impressed the judges with its innovative approach to diversification, commitment to sustainable growth, and ability to identify new opportunities within evolving markets. Through international expansion, the development of new digital services, and the creation of a connected ecosystem that supports learners and employers alike, Chrysalis has demonstrated the vision, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit that make it a highly deserving winner.
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Why Bid Masters Was Selected as the Winner
Bid Masters was recognised by the judges for its impressive international growth, expanding market presence, and ability to build strong relationships with major global organisations. The business has demonstrated a clear and successful export strategy, achieving significant growth while establishing itself as a trusted partner across multiple international markets.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Exceptional international expansion, successfully operating across North America, the Middle East, the Far East, Europe, and Scandinavia.
- Strong global client relationships, securing preferred supplier status for business-winning activities with three major international organisations.
- Outstanding commercial growth, with sales revenue projected to double and future growth increasingly driven by export business.
- A scalable and sustainable growth model, built on long-term client partnerships, repeat business, and continued expansion into international markets.
- Clear evidence of global market confidence, demonstrating the company's ability to deliver expertise and value consistently across diverse regions and sectors.
Judges' Citation
Bid Masters impressed the judges with its ambitious international growth, strong commercial performance, and ability to build lasting relationships with major global organisations. Through a clear export strategy, expanding international footprint, and growing reputation across multiple markets, the business has demonstrated the resilience, expertise, and vision that make it a highly deserving winner.
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Why Catey Was Selected as the Winner
Catey was recognised by the judges for her entrepreneurial vision, innovation, and ability to turn a clearly identified industry challenge into a solution with tangible market impact. Through a combination of insight, determination, and strategic leadership, she has created a business that is helping organisations improve governance, accountability, and operational performance.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Identifying a significant market opportunity, drawing on first-hand industry experience to recognise the need for a more connected and scalable operational solution.
- Creating an innovative solution with broad industry relevance, developing DuraSuite as a comprehensive operational ecosystem designed to strengthen governance, improve accountability, and reduce inefficiencies.
- Demonstrating market validation and adoption, with more than 20 UK payroll bureaus already completing DuraSuite operational diagnostics and providing real-world evidence of its value.
- Achieving recognition from leading industry and technology organisations, including selection for Google's prestigious Founder Series, a highly competitive programme supporting high-potential entrepreneurs.
- Influencing conversations beyond her own business, including involvement in initiatives connected to the UK's first All-Party Parliamentary Group for SMEs, reflecting her commitment to supporting wider business growth and best practice.
Judges' Citation
Catey impressed the judges with her ability to identify a genuine market need and transform that insight into an innovative solution with clear industry impact. Through strong entrepreneurial leadership, a commitment to solving complex operational challenges, and growing recognition across the business community, she has demonstrated the vision, resilience, and influence that make her a highly deserving winner.
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Why the University of Chichester Was Selected as the Winner
The University of Chichester was recognised by the judges for its comprehensive and impactful approach to sustainability. By embedding environmental responsibility into its strategy, operations, education, and community engagement, the University has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating meaningful and measurable change.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- A whole-institution approach to sustainability, ensuring that sustainability is embedded within strategy, governance, decision-making, and everyday culture across the University.
- Clear and ambitious environmental commitments, including a Net Zero target for 2045 supported by defined carbon reduction goals and long-term planning.
- Tangible operational achievements, such as initiatives that eliminate approximately 90,000 disposable cups from landfill each year and reduce carbon emissions by around six tonnes of CO₂e annually.
- A commitment to innovation, becoming the first UK university to introduce Circular&Co.'s Tap&Reuse cup scheme and demonstrating leadership in sustainable campus practices.
- Significant educational impact, with sustainability integrated into academic learning through the accreditation of all modules against key sustainability-focused learning pillars.
- Active community leadership, bringing together businesses and stakeholders through initiatives such as the Wasted Opportunity conference to support waste reduction and sustainability improvements across the wider region.
Judges' Citation
The University of Chichester impressed the judges with its strategic, institution-wide commitment to sustainability and its ability to translate ambition into measurable results. Through innovative initiatives, meaningful carbon reduction, the integration of sustainability into education, and leadership within the wider community, the University has demonstrated how organisations can create lasting environmental and social impact. Its holistic approach, clear vision, and measurable achievements make it a highly deserving winner.
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Why Amaze Sussex Was Selected as the Winner
Amaze Sussex was recognised by the judges for its deeply embedded and authentic commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. By placing lived experience at the centre of its governance, workforce, services, and community engagement, the organisation has created an inclusive culture that delivers meaningful impact for families, individuals, and communities across Sussex.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Embedding lived experience throughout the organisation, with more than half of staff and all Trustees bringing personal experience of SEND, ensuring services are shaped by genuine understanding and insight.
- Creating accessible and inclusive recruitment practices, including sharing interview questions in advance to help reduce barriers and enable candidates, particularly neurodivergent applicants, to demonstrate their abilities effectively.
- Supporting employees through flexible and carer-friendly policies, recognising the realities faced by families and carers and enabling individuals to balance their personal and professional responsibilities.
- Providing targeted support for underrepresented and marginalised communities, including translation services and dedicated casework support for families where English is an additional language.
- Championing the Social Model of Disability, focusing on removing barriers within society and systems rather than placing limitations on individuals.
- Demonstrating strong community leadership and advocacy, leading Parent Carer Forums and ensuring diverse family voices are represented in local decision-making and policy development.
Judges' Citation
Amaze Sussex impressed the judges with its organisation-wide commitment to inclusion and its ability to translate values into meaningful action. Through lived-experience leadership, inclusive employment practices, accessible services, and influential community advocacy, Amaze Sussex has created a culture where people feel heard, supported, and empowered. Its holistic approach to diversity and inclusion, combined with its positive impact across Sussex communities, makes it a highly deserving winner.
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Why Cloud9 Was Selected as the Winner
Cloud9 was recognised by the judges for its exceptional commitment to learning, development, and career progression. The organisation has built a people-focused culture where continuous development is embedded throughout the employee journey, creating clear opportunities for individuals to grow their skills, advance their careers, and achieve their potential.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- A purpose-driven commitment to developing talent, with learning and career development at the heart of the organisation's mission and culture.
- Transparent and structured career pathways, supported by a clearly defined progression framework that helps employees understand and achieve their career aspirations.
- Demonstrable impact on employee progression, with team members gaining professional qualifications and significantly advancing their careers through targeted development opportunities.
- A comprehensive mentoring and buddying programme, ensuring every employee receives guidance, support, and access to experienced colleagues throughout their development journey.
- Regular performance and development reviews, providing personalised goal-setting, certification planning, and ongoing support to encourage continuous growth.
- Innovative investment in learning, including monthly 'Elevate Days' that dedicate an entire working day to skill development, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
- A values-led approach to business, reinforced by achieving Certified B Corporation status and demonstrating a commitment to balancing commercial success with positive social impact.
Judges' Citation
Cloud9 impressed the judges with its clear and sustained commitment to developing people at every stage of their careers. Through structured progression pathways, meaningful mentoring, dedicated learning initiatives, and measurable development outcomes, the organisation has created a culture where talent can thrive. Its investment in people, combined with a strong sense of purpose and continuous improvement, makes Cloud9 a highly deserving winner.
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Why The King's Head (East Hoathly) Was Selected as the Winner
The King's Head (East Hoathly) was recognised by the judges for its outstanding community-led approach, bringing local people together to create a sustainable and long-lasting asset for the village. Through exceptional engagement, innovative community ownership, and significant volunteer commitment, the project has delivered both social and economic benefits while strengthening connections across the community.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- Exceptional community engagement, with 372 local residents actively helping to shape the business plan, operating model, and future direction of the pub.
- A genuinely inclusive ownership model, enabling broad participation through community shares and ensuring democratic involvement regardless of the level of financial contribution.
- Remarkable volunteer commitment, with more than 150 volunteers contributing their skills, expertise, and time, including over 60 residents directly involved in refurbishment activities.
- A highly successful community fundraising campaign, raising £650,000 from 343 investors and demonstrating strong local belief in the project's vision and future.
- A focus on long-term sustainability and stewardship, including initiatives designed to encourage future generations to remain connected to and invested in the community asset.
- Clear and measurable social impact, helping to reduce isolation, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities for residents to build new relationships and support networks.
Judges' Citation
The King's Head (East Hoathly) impressed the judges with its ability to bring an entire community together behind a shared vision. Through widespread engagement, inclusive ownership, significant volunteer involvement, and a commitment to creating lasting social value, the project has transformed a local pub into a thriving community asset. Its collaborative approach, long-term sustainability, and positive impact on local residents make The King's Head a highly deserving winner.
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Why Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd Was Selected as the Winner
Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd was recognised by the judges for its ambitious and successful diversification strategy, transforming the organisation beyond its traditional training provision into a broader, scalable ecosystem of services. Through innovation, new revenue models, and expansion into new markets, Chrysalis has demonstrated an impressive ability to evolve while remaining focused on delivering positive outcomes for its learners and clients.
Key factors influencing the judges' decision included:
- A successful transformation of the business model, evolving from a specialist counselling training provider into a diversified organisation offering multiple complementary services and platforms.
- The introduction of recurring revenue streams, including a tiered membership model that enhances customer engagement while providing long-term financial sustainability.
- The development of innovative digital services, such as the Talking Therapies platform, which is expanding access to support and is experiencing strong growth.
- Expansion into new markets, including the launch of Chrysalis Workplace, which extends the organisation's expertise into the corporate wellbeing sector and has already generated interest from major organisations.
- Demonstrated international growth, with expansion into Denmark highlighting the scalability and wider market potential of the Chrysalis model.
- A clear strategic vision for the future, supported by ambitious growth targets and a diversified mix of income streams designed to ensure long-term resilience and success.
Judges' Citation
Chrysalis Not for Profit Ltd impressed the judges with its forward-thinking approach to diversification and growth. Through the development of new services, innovative revenue models, expansion into new markets, and international growth, the organisation has successfully evolved its business model while continuing to deliver meaningful value to its customers and stakeholders. Its vision, adaptability, and commitment to sustainable growth make Chrysalis a highly deserving winner.
