South Regional Dinner 2026

Business categories


Business Growth and Strategy

Winner: Lionel Hitchen Ltd

Runner up: Alideck


Developing Future Talent

Winner: Cornwall Manufacturers Group

Runner up: Russell Finex


Energy and Sustainability sponsored by Inspired PLC

Winner: Safran Helicopter Engines UK


Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Winner: Unipart

Runner up: Element Six


Innovation sponsored by ECI

Winner: VES – AirDoor

Runner up: Sertus


Manufacturing Impact

Winner: Sertus

Runner up: Bridmet Ltd


SME of the Region

Winner: Lionel Hitchen Ltd

Runner up: Grommets Ltd



Apprentice categories


Business Apprentice Rising Star sponsored by Sage

Winner: Tobie Parsons, Airbus Operations

Runner up: Joanne Rosinski, Cleanova


Business Apprentice Final Year sponsored by Sage

Winner: Eryn Weatherhill, Leonardo Helicopters UK


Engineering Apprentice Rising Star sponsored by Advanced Engineering

Winner: Nathan Powell, Bott Ltd

Runner up: Benjamin Roden, Airbus Operations


Engineering Apprentice Final Year sponsored by Advanced Engineering

Winner: Amber-Louise Hart, Leonardo Helicopters UK

Runner up: Felix Loy, Leonardo Helicopters UK


Apprentice Endeavour Award

Winner: Lauren Owen, Comserv (UK) Ltd

Runner up: Nathan Powditch, BAE Systems

About this event

About this event

We are delighted to host this in-person awards event on Thursday 5 November in the South Region at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon.

The Regional Dinner provides an opportunity to network with peers at an arrival drinks reception, create new business connections during a three-course meal, and celebrate the regional winners of the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2026.

Dress code: Professional evening attire

As a guide, business suits and dresses are an example of professional evening attire. Black tie and formal jackets and gowns are not required.

Date: Thursday 5 November 2026

Start time: 6.30pm

End time: Midnight

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon, Lydiard Fields, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8UZ

Accommodation:

Single occupancy rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon are available at £99 per room per night (including breakfast and parking).

Double occupancy rooms are available at £109 per room per night (including breakfast and parking).

You can book online here or via the Hilton reservations team on +44 1793 881777 using code GMAKE. These special rates will be available until 10 September 2026.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to explore other accommodation options, Swindon is a 15-minute taxi ride from the venue.

Book your dinner tickets now

Select which ticket type you'd like to book from the options below.

Shortlisted apprentice tickets

Shortlisted apprentices are eligible to receive one complimentary ticket for your Regional Dinner. Any accompanying guests will need to purchase a ticket. Shortlisted apprentices will be informed by the end of August 2026, and will be sent instructions on how to book.

Single Ticket: Member South
£ 135.00
Early Bird - South £ 125.00 +VAT (20%)
Discount available until
Qty
Table of 10: Member South
£ 1100.00 +VAT (20%)
Single Ticket: Non-Member South
£ 155.00
Early Bird - South £ 145.00 +VAT (20%)
Discount available until
Qty
Table of 10: Non-Member South
£ 1325.00 +VAT (20%)

Congratulations to our 2026 Awards Shortlist

AIS
AliDeck
AMufacture Ltd
Apex Pumps
Biffa
Cavendish Nuclear Ltd
ChamSys Ltd
Cleanova Datatag ID
DLS Candles
Eramol
Eurac Poole Ltd
Flambeau Europe
FNH UK Ltd trading as FN UK
G W Martin & Co Ltd
HepcoMotion
Hymid Multi-Shot Ltd
Ibstock PLC
Jo Bird and Co Ltd
John Pipe International Ltd
Kimberly-Clark Professional™
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK Ltd
Leonardo Helicopters
LTi Metaltech
Magnet Schultz Ltd
NCC
Nordell
ParkerSteel Ltd
Rolls-Royce PLC
Rotary Precision Instruments UK Ltd
Russell Finex
Schneider Electric Limited
Smart Manufacturing Ltd
Spark & Bell Ltd
Texcel Technology PLC

Bookings have not yet opened for this dinner

Please contact the Make UK Events Team via awards@makeuk.org if you have any queries.

With thanks to our Regional Associate Sponsor



FAQs

Early Bird Member Ticket: £125 + VAT (Early Bird will end on 05.10)

Early Bird Non-Member Ticket: £145 + VAT (Early Bird will end on 05.10)


Standard Member Ticket: £135 + VAT

Standard Non-Member Ticket: £155 + VAT


Table of 10 Member: £1100 + VAT

Table of 10 Non-Member: £1325 + VAT

Yes, you can view our South award winners from 2025 here.

Yes, you can view the photos from the South Regional Dinner 2025 here.

Arrival is 6.30pm and the evening will end at midnight.

Please ensure you have informed us at awards@makeuk.org of any dietary requirements and the venue will cater for your needs.

You will be emailed the menu with the final joining instructions approximately 7 days before the event. It is a set menu and no changes can be made other than for those with special dietary requirements/allergies.

The table plan will be sent with the joining instructions and will be available on the evening. Several staff members will be present to help you find your table.

There is complimentary parking available at the venue. Please note, guests must register their vehicle using the tablets provided at the hotel reception. 

Yes