Director of the Year Awards 2026

The IoD Director of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements of outstanding business leaders in our society. Hosted once a year, awards are given to those who excel in areas such as start-up/innovation, sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and more.

Open to all – whether you’re an executive, non-executive, partner or even a chief constable – we want to hear about the work you’re doing as a senior decision-maker to help build a better world through business.

You can either apply yourself or nominate someone else to recognise their achievements. Our online application process has been streamlined to make the question-and-answer format simpler, while still maintaining the rigorous qualifying criteria by which entrants are assessed and scored. However, this year you may only apply in one category, even if you are nominated in multiple categories. This year we are offering the following categories;

Award Categories:

• Large Business (100+ employees)
• SME - Small to Medium Business (Under 100 employees)
• Innovation
• Aspiring
• Public Sector
• Third Sector
• Sustainability
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Non-Exeuctive