Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has revealed the finalists for the Employee of the Year Award at the 2026 Business Awards.
Sponsored by Ornua Foods, the award recognises an outstanding employee who has delivered exceptional and sustained business performance over a prolonged period, showing dedication, advancement and contribution within their role and to the development of those around them.
Now in its 11th year, the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards is the largest business awards programme in the region. Winners will be crowned at a gala awards ceremony at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 9 July 2026.
The three finalists are:
James Cogan, Best of British Beer – Promoted from warehouse team leader with no management experience after his General Manager resigned at short notice, James immediately oversaw a record-breaking £300,000 Moonpig order without a single error. He has since grown that relationship from £700,000 to £1.4 million in 12 months, trained as a certified beer sommelier in his own time, and is now central to the company’s three-year strategy. Find out more about their application, here.
Kris Wainwright, Eden Holistic Pet Foods – Starting as a warehouse operative ten years ago, Kris is now Head of Operations and the person the business simply could not function without. Operational improvements he drove delivered £70,000 in savings in a single year, while his reach across export, accounts, HR and IT has made him indispensable at every level of the business. Find out more about their application, here.
Clare Clohesy, Stoke-on-Trent College – In just 13 months, Clare has engaged over 60 veterans, hundreds of families and countless adults furthest from education and support, directly contributing to the college exceeding its community public contract targets and prompting the creation of a brand new role. Her Executive Director says simply: “If I had ten Clares, Stoke-on-Trent would be a much better place to live.” Find out more about their application, here.
To find out more about the 2026 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, visit staffordshirechambers.co.uk/awards.
