Seahaven Business Awards 2026 winners & finalists

The Seahaven Business Awards 2026 results!

The 2026 Seahaven Business Awards was a spectacular celebration of local business, community spirit and shared success, with 140 business people and VIP guests attending the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the American Express Stadium.

The atmosphere throughout the evening was incredible, with businesses coming together to celebrate not only their own achievements, but the successes of others across the Seahaven area. Guests enjoyed a wonderful two-course dinner with drinks, while host John Young kept the evening lively, entertaining and full of energy.

In his speech, Alan McCarthy MBE, Deputy Lieutenant, praised the “range and diversity” of businesses in the area and spoke of the “strong community sense” that was “absolutely palpable” throughout the evening.

Mike Shorer, President of Newhaven Chamber reflected on the importance of collaboration within the local business community, saying:

“We are all connected, it is one of our greatest strengths… a business community that supports one another, that shares knowledge, that collaborates and that wants each other to succeed.”

The evening also raised an incredible £2,000 for Seaford Downs Syndrome and Special Needs Support Group which included a £600 donation from Elite Industries.

A huge thank you goes to our Gold Headline Sponsor Quintessence Fragrances, our sponsors, judges, organisers and everyone who helped make the evening such a success.

Congratulations once again to all finalists and winners — you can view the full results below.

Photography credit: Matt Harquail Photography (link to photographs will be sent out on Tues 12 May once they are all processed.)

President’s Award for Creative Enterprise

Sponsored by Mike Shorer Fine Jewellery

1st – Julia Dunstan Design (Newhaven)

2^nd – Oceanic Woodstore (Newhaven)

3^rd – Rhapsody Artist Development (Seaford)

Best New Business

Sponsored by the Newhaven Enterprise Centre

1^st – Aurora HR (Peacehaven)

2^nd (joint) – Christopher Sarson Funeral Director (Newhaven)

2^nd (joint) – Jack’s Tidy Gardens (Seaford)

3^rd – Save Bills (Newhaven, Seaford, Peacehaven)

Best Tourism & Leisure Business

Sponsored by Fine Marketing

1^st – Newhaven Museum (Newhaven)

2^nd – Maverick Boat Adventures (Newhaven)

3^rd – All Abroad! Bus (Seaford )

Best Health, Fitness & Wellbeing

Sponsored by Experience It Now Travel

1^st – Be Well with Shell (Newhaven)

2^nd – Sawyer Transformations (Newhaven, )

3rd – Jane Evans Hypnotherapy (Seaford)

Business Person of the Year

Sponsored by Swindells Chartered Accountants

1^st – Shirley Brooks/Save Bills (Newhaven, Seaford, Peacehaven)

2^nd – Julie Terry (Seaford)

3^rd – Gary Maskell (Peacehaven)

Best Customer Service

Sponsored by We Are Cleaners

1^st – Be Fabulous (Peacehaven)

2^nd – Enable & Support (Newhaven, Eastbourne)

3^rd – The Viceroy (Newhaven)

Business of the Year

Sponsored by The Newhaven Enterprise Zone

1^st – We Take Calls (Peacehaven)

2^nd – The Sussex Sign Company (Newhaven and Sussex)

3^rd – Be Well With Shell (Newhaven)

Rhapsody Artists Development

We were delighted to welcome young people from Rhapsody Artists Development who entertained guests before the award ceremony with a selection of fabulous songs.

Business Awards trophies and sponsors

The winners were presented with trophies made by goldsmith Mike Shorer. Each trophy weighs 4kg and is made from solid aircraft grade alloy, anodised gold and then hand engraved and hand enamelled.

With many thanks to our trophy sponsors above, and our key sponsors this year the Quintessence Fragrances, Newhaven Port & Properties, Newhaven Chamber, Cleankill, Leather4Craft, Tomsetts Distribution, V R Flowers & Son, Arlettes Florists, Enchanted Princess Parties, 2nd Cup of Tea, Seahaven FM and LeForte Property Maintenance.