The International Trade Awards are back for a fourth year, with businesses and trade professionals having until 20 March 2026 to nominate themselves or a peer for a prize.
Run by the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, the awards are designed to recognise organisations and individuals that excel in global trade and fly the flag for the UK overseas.
Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the House of Lords on 23 June.
Magnificent seven
There are seven award categories open for nominations this year, including:
· Border Innovation
· Excellence in Customs
· Food & Drink Trader of the Year
· Manufacturing – Trade Impact
· MSME-Business of the Year
· Sustainable Trade
· Rising Talent in Trade
You can nominate yourself, your business or a peer for the awards here.
Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of experts from the trade industry, including business leaders, trade academics and policymakers.
‘Get your name up in lights’
“The Chartered Institute is hosting these awards to celebrate successes of UK businesses trading across borders,” said Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute.
“Get your entries in and we’ll be celebrating all your successes at the House of Lords in June. I look forward to seeing you there”.
Previous winners have also encouraged trade professionals and businesses to enter. Sean Ramsden, CEO of Ramsden International, said he “definitely recommends” entering the award.
“It’s a great way of getting recognition for incredible teams and achievements, and a chance to get your name up in lights,” he said.
Dr Rebecca Wilde, head of business innovation, supply chain and trade at Warwick Manufacturing Group (part of the University of Warwick), won an award last year for her work leading the Women in Trade Hub UK (WiTH UK).
She said winning the award “helped us to represent underrepresented women and groups in trade.”
“[It] was a testament to all the people, organisations and actors involved in WiTH UK.”
