Independent awards for the trades
Real trades.Stronger counties.
Free-to-enter recognition for the businesses, people and completed projects shaping the places where we live.
Live programmes
Local identity. One standard.
The independence promise
You cannot buy a County Trade Award.
Sponsorship helps fund the programme. It never buys access to entries, a place on a shortlist or a say in the result.
- 01
- Free to enter
- 02
- Free to win
- 03
- Independently judged
Where we operate
One county at a time, done properly
Each programme carries its county's identity while following the same independent standard.
Shropshire and Wrexham lead the programme. Further counties will open only when the local foundations are ready.
Experience with clear boundaries
“County Trade Awards is new. The experience behind it isn't.”
Founder Chris Jones spent seven years helping lead the Shropshire Business Awards through his role with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. He has since founded, acquired and operated businesses across professional services, software, AI and business systems.
Chris does not choose winners. Sponsors do not choose winners. Commercial partners do not influence judging.
Why the awards existShropshire 2027
Recognition for the business and the work
Business categories examine how a company operates. Project categories look closely at one completed job.
Every live category publishes its own eligibility, evidence and weighted judging criteria.
How it works
Evidence in. Independent decision out.
A straightforward route from good work to credible local recognition.
Enter or be nominated
Put forward a business or completed project, or nominate a trade business that delivered for you.
Judges score the evidence
Relevant judges declare conflicts and score every entry against the published criteria.
Results are confirmed
Finalists and winners are confirmed through recorded human moderation, not a commercial decision.
Recognition comes to you
The trophy is presented at the winning business or project, creating a story rooted in the county.
From the counties
Work worth reading about
Growing county by county
Build the next local programme with us
We are speaking with future entrants, judges, partners and sponsors before a county opens.
For sponsors and partners
Back the trades. Stay out of the result.
Support a useful county programme, contribute to local stories and meet the businesses your organisation already serves. Judging remains completely separate.