Professional Advisory of the Year Award - Sponsored by invest HK

The Professional Advisory of the Year Award celebrates an advisory firm that has provided exceptional guidance and expertise to support UK-China business success. Recognising excellence across legal, financial, consultancy, and related professional services, this award honours organisations that deliver strategic insight, trusted counsel, and measurable results for their clients. It shines a spotlight on advisers whose knowledge and commitment help businesses navigate complexity and seize opportunity across both markets.

Shortlist:

• ICAEW
• PwC
• Charles Russell Speechlys
• Oscar Ip & Co Chartered Accountants
• Raymond legal services
• BIPO
• New Horizon Global

Exporter of the Year Award - Sponsored by Pilgrim’s Europe

The Exporter of the Year Award celebrates UK companies that have demonstrated exceptional success in exporting to China. Recognising innovation, resilience, and commercial impact across consumer and wider industry sectors, this award honours businesses that have achieved strong market growth and delivered products or services that resonate with Chinese customers. As part of CBBC’s inaugural awards, it showcases exporters that exemplify excellence in international trade and set the benchmark for UK–China business success.

Shortlist:

• Bloomsbury Publishing
• Clan Healthcare
• Somerdale International
• Holland & Barrett

Cultural Partnership of the Year Award

This award celebrates a standout partnership that brings the UK and China closer together through the power of culture, the arts, the creative industries, and sport. It recognises bold collaborations that captivate audiences, spark fresh ideas, and create lasting connections between communities in both countries.

Shortlist:

• Lingtan x ZEDfactory Asia Pacific Ltd
• British Library x Yuewen
• Royal Shakespeare Company x Education in Motion
• Beijing ATW x National Theatre
• Trinity Laban Music & Dance
• RSL Awards
• Sinoist Books

Chinese Corporate in the UK Award - Sponsored by ACCA

The Chinese Corporate in the UK Award recognises an outstanding Chinese company that has made a significant contribution to the UK economy and business community. Celebrating investment, job creation, innovation, and responsible corporate leadership, this award honours organisations that have successfully established or expanded their presence in the UK while fostering strong bilateral ties. It highlights Chinese corporates that demonstrate long-term commitment, commercial excellence, and positive impact within the UK-China business landscape.

Shortlist:

• Xiaomi
• Westwell
• CNOOC

Marketing Campaign of the Year Award

The Marketing Campaign of the Year Award honours marketing initiatives that have resonated with Chinese audiences through cultural relevance, creative strength and clear audience response. Open to both consumer brands and service providers, this category recognises campaigns that demonstrate a strong understanding of local context and deliver meaningful engagement.

This award celebrates marketing work that stands out in China’s fast-moving media landscape by connecting insight with execution. It highlights campaigns that effectively translate brand intent into visibility and relevance, and that can demonstrate positive consumer feedback, interaction or advocacy as a result of their activity.

Shortlist:

• University of Glasgow
• Uoffer Global
• TONG Global
• Waitrose & Partners
• New Silk Route Digital
• Unilever China
• RIBA
• Mintel

Graduate Employability Initiative of the Year Award

The Graduate Employability Initiative of the Year Award recognises a university or organisation which has demonstrated exceptional commitment to preparing Chinese graduates for successful, meaningful careers. Recognising the need to support students in an increasingly competitive graduate job market, this award celebrates institutions which have gone the extra mile to support student employability skills, expanding access to opportunities and supporting graduates in achieving sustainable career success.

Shortlist:

• Return to China Career Fairs (5-university consortium)
• University of Leeds
• AMBA and BGA
• The University of Glasgow and The University of Birmingham
• Imperial Business School
• Beijing Sino Campus Int'l Edu Tech Co., Ltd.
• The London School of Economics and Political Science
• King's College London

UK Corporate in China Award

The CBBC UK Corporate in China Award recognises UK companies that have moved beyond exporting to establish a sustained, on-the-ground presence in China. Open to businesses across all sectors, this award celebrates organisations that have embedded China into their long-term global strategy through local operations, investment and partnerships.

This category honours corporates that demonstrate strategic commitment, operational depth and resilience in navigating China’s evolving business environment. It highlights companies that align global standards with local insight to build enduring value in the China market.

Shortlist:

• Diageo
• ACCA
• Modern Water
• Whittard of Chelsea
• JLR
• Johnson Matthey China
• HSBC

Most Innovative Company in 2026 Award

The Most Innovative Company 2026 Award recognises a UK or Chinese business that has demonstrated outstanding innovation within the UK-China business landscape. Celebrating strategy, technological advancement, and creative problem-solving, this award honours organisations that have introduced pioneering products, services, or business models that drive growth and deliver meaningful impact across both markets. As part of CBBC’s awards programme, it highlights pioneering companies setting new standards for ingenuity, collaboration, and leadership.

Shortlist:

• Royal Mail & Glasgow Prestwick Airport
• Alliance Holdings Group
• Silverstream
• BioCorteX
• YASO
• WPIC Marketing + Technologies