Rural Business of the Year
The headline award of the Rural Business Awards, for the rural business standing at the forefront of British enterprise.
The headline award of The Rural Business Awards, recognising the best rural business of the year from across the UK. Free to enter, independently judged, and open to every kind of rural enterprise.
About the Rural Business of the Year award
Rural Business of the Year is the most prestigious category in the programme, the award every entrant ultimately aspires to. It celebrates the single rural business that best combines commercial strength, resilience and contribution to the rural economy over the past year. Where the specialist categories recognise excellence in one discipline, this award asks a bigger question: which rural business, all-round, is setting the standard for the rest of the country?
Rural enterprise is no niche. Rural businesses number more than 550,000 in England alone and contribute around £315bn to the economy, yet they rarely get the national recognition their City counterparts take for granted. Winning, or even reaching the shortlist for, Rural Business of the Year puts your business on that national stage, championed by Business Matters, the UK’s largest business magazine and our media partner.
Why enter Rural Business of the Year 2026
- National recognition. A platform built specifically for rural businesses, amplified across the Capital Business Media network.
- Independent judging. Your business is assessed by rural business owners and sector leaders, not insiders selling sponsorship.
- Editorial reach. Finalists and winners are featured across Business Matters and partner titles.
- A credential that travels. ‘Rural Business of the Year’ is a mark of quality that opens doors with customers, partners and investors.
See the full case for entering
Who should enter
The award is deliberately broad. Any business based in or primarily serving rural Britain can enter, at any size or stage, from farms and food producers to rural manufacturers, visitor attractions, retailers, professional services and diversified estates. If your business is rooted in the countryside and has had a strong year, this is your category.
Not sure this is the right fit? The programme runs 17 categories in total, from Rural Entrepreneur of the Year to the Taste of Rural Britain Award, many entrants put themselves forward for more than one.
Judging criteria
Entries for Rural Business of the Year are judged against four equally weighted criteria. Strong entries evidence each one with specifics, numbers, examples and outcomes rather than claims.
|
Criterion |
What judges look for |
|
Commercial performance |
Growth, profitability, resilience and sound management over the past 12 months. |
|
Innovation & resilience |
How the business has adapted, diversified or innovated to overcome rural-specific challenges. |
|
Impact on the rural economy |
Jobs created, local supply chains supported, and wider contribution to the rural community. |
|
Vision & leadership |
Clear strategy, strong leadership and a credible plan for the future. |
Want to strengthen your entry? Read our guide on how to win Rural Business of the Year
How to enter
Entering is free and takes one online form. In short:
- Read the criteria above and gather your evidence.
- Complete the online entry form, selecting Rural Business of the Year.
- Submit before the deadline — entries for 2026 close on 1 September.
Start your entry now: Enter Rural Business of the Year
Full step-by-step guidance: How to enter the Rural Business Awards
Entry Tips
- Use specific figures — revenue, %, headcount, acreage, customers served.
- Back claims with evidence: coverage, quotes, accreditations, photos.
- Focus on the last 24 months of performance.
- Read the criteria carefully and answer them directly.
