Chambers Wales invites businesses of all sizes to enter flagship awards celebrating innovation, growth and impact

Entries have today (Jan 12) opened for the Wales Business Awards 2026, which celebrate innovation, ambition and achievement among businesses across Wales.

Organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, the awards are firmly established as a flagship event in the Welsh business calendar and aim to recognise organisations driving growth, creating opportunity and contributing to the Welsh economy.

The 2026 awards include categories covering areas such as innovation, manufacturing, customer excellence, creativity and inclusion. New awards introduced this year include Inclusive Employer of the Year, Start Up Business of the Year and the Wales Creative Impact Award, reflecting the evolving priorities of Welsh businesses.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne on May 14 at Holland House Hotel. One overall winner will also be named Wales Business of the Year.

The 2025 title was awarded to Concrete Canvas Ltd, a Pontyclun-based manufacturer recognised for its growth ambitions and innovative engineering solutions.

Gus Williams, chief executive of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said the awards highlight the role businesses play in shaping Wales’ economic future. He said: “Every year we are inspired by the quality, ambition and determination shown by businesses across Wales.

“The awards provide an opportunity to showcase success, share best practice and celebrate the positive impact Welsh businesses are making locally, nationally and internationally.”

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, with entry open to both Chamber members and non-members. The closing date for entries is February 27.

Further information and entry details are available via the Chambers Wales website.

Wales Business Awards 2026 categories

• Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year
• Customer Excellence Award
• Digital Business Award
• Exporter of the Year
• Green Business Award
• Inclusive Employer of the Year
• Innovation Award
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Outstanding Workplace Culture Award
• Professional Services Firm of the Year
• Start Up Business of the Year
• Wales Creative Impact Award

HOSPITAL PRESSURE IN SWANSEA BAY COULD HIT PATIENTS FROM PEMBROKESHIRE WHO RELY ON SPECIALIST SERVICES

CONCERNS have been raised about pressure on hospitals in Swansea Bay after the health board declared its highest level of escalation for the second time in a week — a move that could have knock-on effects for patients from Pembrokeshire who rely on Swansea hospitals for specialist treatment.

Swansea Bay University Health Board’s escalation, known as a Business Continuity Incident, is triggered when demand and capacity pressures reach a critical level, allowing extra internal measures to be put in place to manage patient flow, staffing pressures and bed availability.

While the health board serves Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, its hospitals also provide specialist services used by patients from across west Wales. Pembrokeshire residents are regularly referred to Morriston Hospital and Singleton Hospital for a range of care, including nuclear medicine and other specialist investigations and treatments not always available locally.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats said the latest escalation underlined what they claim is a deeper system-wide issue: shortages in social care leaving patients unable to leave hospital when medically fit, which in turn blocks beds and adds pressure across emergency and planned services.

The party said: “The crisis declared by Swansea Bay University Health Board is further proof that Wales’ NHS cannot be fixed without urgent action on social care.”

Powys example cited

The party pointed to Powys, where the council is led by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, claiming hospital discharge delays have been cut by a third after additional funding was used to recruit more social care staff.

They said the funding was secured by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS during last year’s budget negotiations and directed into expanding community care capacity.

“Social care failure as much as an NHS one”

Responding to Swansea Bay’s decision to declare its highest escalation level again, Jane Dodds MS said the hospital pressures were being driven in part by the lack of care available in the community.

“When hospitals are full and patients are stuck in beds because the care they need at home isn’t available, that is a social care failure as much as an NHS one,” she said.

“What we are seeing in Swansea Bay is exactly what happens when social care is underfunded and overstretched – hospital backlogs, delayed discharges and staff pushed to breaking point.

“Labour has run social care in Wales into the ground, and the consequences are now being felt in hospitals like Morriston and Singleton.

“The lesson is clear: fixing social care fixes the NHS. Wales needs sustained investment in community and social care, not endless crisis management once hospitals are already full.”

Local candidate: “People see it every day”

Sam Bennett, a Swansea councillor and Senedd candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, said residents were seeing the impact of care shortages daily.

“People across Swansea are seeing the impact of social care shortages every day, whether that’s loved ones stuck in hospital or pressure on frontline staff,” he said.

“Investing properly in care isn’t optional, it’s essential if we want our local hospitals to cope, and it will be my priority should I be elected to the Senedd this May.”

Wider impact

Escalations of this kind are generally introduced to manage periods of exceptional pressure and can involve steps to prioritise urgent care, support discharge planning and manage demand across services.

For Pembrokeshire, any sustained disruption in Swansea Bay can cause concern because of the region’s reliance on specialist appointments and procedures carried out in Swansea. Patients and families are often already travelling long distances for care, and delays or rescheduling can have significant practical and emotional impact.

Health boards have repeatedly urged the public to use NHS services appropriately during periods of high demand and to support timely discharge where it is safe to do so, as blocked beds can quickly intensify pressure across the system.

Former councillor died aged 85 after passing away peacefully at Withybush Hospital

COUNCILLOR Mike Stoddart’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, February 3 at 2.30pm, it has been confirmed.

Mr Stoddart, of Liddeston, Milford Haven, died peacefully at Withybush General Hospital on Sunday, January 4, aged 85, with his family by his side.

A celebration of his life will be held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium in Narberth, followed by refreshments at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Milford Haven.

Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Family flowers only have been requested. Donations in memory of Mr Stoddart will support Hubberston & Hakin Community Centre.

Arrangements are being handled by Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, Milford Haven.