With entries still open for the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards (MKBAA) 2026, local organisations are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the city’s most prestigious celebration of business success.
With the 2026 theme ‘The Power of Partnerships: Come Together to Achieve More’, the awards will spotlight the vital role that collaboration plays in driving innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Whether through community projects, corporate alliances, or regional collaborations, this year’s theme underlines the importance of working together to achieve lasting impact.
Guidance from the Judges
The MKBAA independent judging panel has shared its top tips to help businesses craft compelling submissions:
- Position your company clearly. Judges recommend beginning with a short, sharp, and focused positioning statement that captures what makes your organisation stand out.
- Align with the theme. Where possible, entrants should show how their work embodies the 2026 theme of partnership – whether through knowledge sharing, investment support, community collaboration or business cooperation.
- Back up your story with evidence. Judges are looking for strong supporting material such as KPIs, case studies, testimonials, and measurable results to demonstrate the scale of impact.
- Show your impact. From customer outcomes to community engagement, explain how your organisation is making a difference and why it matters.
- Be confident. The judging panel appreciates authenticity and confidence. This is the time to celebrate your successes and tell your story proudly.
- Use AI wisely. While AI tools can help structure ideas or clarify information, the judges emphasise that entries must sound authentic and personal. They can easily identify an entry that lacks a human touch.
- Read the questions carefully. Entrants are reminded to fully address each question, ensuring that their answers are relevant, concise, and complete.
- Finally, don’t leave it to the last minute. Rushed entries risk missing key details that could make the difference between being shortlisted and taking home a trophy. Starting early and capturing key points over time can make the process far smoother.
The deadline for Stage One entries is Friday 7th November 2025, and organisations can enter up to two categories. To qualify, entries must come from businesses with an MK postcode.
Inspiration from Past Winners
Past MKBAA winners agree that the experience is both rewarding and transformative.
Reflecting on the impact of their win, Gemma Downing, Director at Mixxos, winner of the 2025 Small & Medium Business category and Gabriele Baldocci, Founder and Director of Milton Keynes Music Academy, shared their thoughts:
“Winning a Milton Keynes Business Achievement Award was such a proud and memorable moment for all of us at Mixxos. It felt like a real celebration of the passion, creativity, and hard work that goes into everything we do,” reflects Gemma Downing, Director at Mixxos, winner of the 2025 Small & Medium Business category. “Since winning, we’ve noticed an increase in awareness of our brand and a real sense of pride among our team. It reminded us how important it is to pause and celebrate progress, not just pursue the next goal.
To any business considering entering the MKBAA, I’d say absolutely go for it. The process itself encourages valuable reflection on what makes your business unique, and the connections made along the way are genuinely rewarding.”
Gabriele Baldocci, Founder and Director of Milton Keynes Music Academy, shared a similar sentiment: “Winning the in the Culture & Arts category at MKBAA alongside the Milton Keynes Music Academy was a truly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.
This recognition not only filled our team with pride but also unlocked new opportunities, enabling us to connect with like-minded organisations and broaden our impact. To any businesses considering entering, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go for it as if nothing else, it provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on your accomplishments, and the recognition can significantly elevate your work and motivate your team.”
A Celebration of Milton Keynes’ Business Spirit
MKBAA continues to highlight the best of the city’s business community, from innovation and creativity to collaboration and growth. The 2026 awards promise to be another unforgettable celebration of the people and partnerships that make Milton Keynes thrive.
To learn more about categories, criteria, and how to enter, visit the official Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards website.
