CATEGORIES

MUST READ: IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All categories are FREE TO ENTER

Submissions will be accepted via the online entry system only.

All information submitted is used for judging and won't be shared outside the judging process.

All entrants must have a UK presence. For more information on this, please read through our entry criteria.

You can also view our exclusive entry tips and FAQs if you have any other questions.

The deadline for entering is Friday 29 May 2026, 11:55pm BST.

If entering on behalf of someone else, the 'Nominator' questions should be filled with your details, and the 'Nominee' details should be fills with the person that you are nominating's details. If entering on behalf of yourself/your company, the 'Nominee' details will be yours.

Please read on for further information on each category and application criteria.

Entry Enquiries:
Yasmin Ansari
Marketing Executive
yansari@thechannelcompany.com

Entries close in...

PERSONAL EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES

**NEW** Cloud Rising Star of the Year

Which recent arrival has taken to cloud computing like a duck to water? The judges are looking for individuals under 35 who have made a notable impact on your organisation. As ever, case studies and evidence will help us pick a worthy winner.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

**NEW** Platform Engineering/SRE Team of the Year

This award recognises the achievements of engineering teams that have demonstrated exceptional innovation and efficiency in building, maintaining and managing resilient and high-performance cloud platforms and services. Demonstrable metrics an advantage.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud Professional of the Year

Who has excelled in pioneering or advocating cloud in your organisation? Who has driven cloud projects, transformation or simply the company’s direct journey into cloud storage or SaaS, with far-reaching effect? The judges are looking for the individual who has made visible and lasting changes to their business through the medium of cloud. Example by detailed case study is strongly encouraged.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

ORGANISATIONAL EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES

**NEW** Best UK/European Cloud Services Provider

There’s more to cloud computing than the hyperscalers, and this category honours service providers who are close to home, in the UK, EU or EEA. Customer case studies will be advantageous.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Best Cloud Support Provider

There are many facets to a firm’s cloud strategy and deployment. This award is for the organisations which aim to support their client's journey into the cloud, either from a strategic or direct implementation level. Entries should include customer case studies or references, together with an explanation of how the firm supports its clients, and what marks it out of the competition.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Best Cloud Support Provider

There are many facets to a firm’s cloud strategy and deployment. This award is for the organisations which aim to support their client's journey into the cloud, either from a strategic or direct implementation level. Entries should include customer case studies or references, together with an explanation of how the firm supports its clients, and what marks it out of the competition.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud Vendor of the Year

This award will go to the cloud vendor which demonstrates something above and beyond what would normally be expected. It could be outstanding customer service, an innovative breakthrough in product development, or a major strategic shift which has produced genuine results. The winning entry will clearly explain why it separates itself from the pack, and how this difference benefits its customers.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

MSP of the Year

Managed service providers take the stress out of IT, managing a customer's infrastructure and systems while enabling them to focus on their core competencies. Please provide evidence of work with customers, discussing how and why they chose you as their MSP and what the effect has been on their business.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

PRODUCT/SERVICE EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES

**NEW** Best Sovereign Cloud/Regulated Cloud Solution

As geopolitics introduces new risks, the judges are looking to award standout services that offer security to regulated and governmental organisations by guaranteeing compliance and protection from extra-jurisdictional threats, with a UK/European focus.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

**NEW** Best Cloud Service for Non-Profits and Charities

Non-profits and charities have unique needs, with personal data of donors and clients to protect, efficiencies and scale to achieve all on a limited budget. We’re looking for cloud services providers and partners who are stepping up to help. Case study is essential.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

**NEW** FinOps/Cloud Cost Optimisation Solution of the Year

Cloud costs can quickly mount, particularly in complex multi-cloud, hybrid cloud and multi-vendor environments. We’re looking for solutions and services that help customers monitor and manage their cloud costs. UK customer case study essential.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Best Cloud Automation or AI Solution

Many cloud tools – whether in finance, HR, analytics or something else – are now being sold as ‘AI’. The solutions that are truly capable of such work can automate many tasks that humans do today, freeing them up for more high value work. What does your solution do that differentiates it from others? How does it use automation, machine learning or other AI practices to achieve its goals? How easy is the rollout? Customer case studies are critical.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud Data Management/Engineering Solution of the Year

This category is for software tools designed for managing and monitoring data in the cloud, including helping data engineers to create efficient pipelines. The award will be given to the solution which demonstrates the greatest ability to ensure that all of those elements are working optimally. Judges will take ease of use, functionality, innovation and customer references into account.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud DR and Continuity Product of the Year

Continuity and DR is essential to the modern business. This award will be given to the entry which demonstrates the most reliable service. Points will also be awarded for evidence of innovation, features and market share. Customer case studies will also be taken into account.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud Management Solution of the Year

This category is for software tools designed for managing and monitoring applications, data and services residing in the cloud. The award will be given to the solution which demonstrates the greatest ability to ensure that all of those elements are working optimally. Judges will take ease of use, functionality, innovation and customer references into account.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Cloud Security Product of the Year

With many organisations still unsure about storing valuable data in the cloud due to security concerns, products to help set minds at ease are more important than ever. The judges will take innovation, features and market share into account. The winning entry however is likely to be the one which most impresses the judges in terms of its ability to protect its customers data and applications.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Most Innovative Cloud Product or Service

This award will go to the cloud product or service which best demonstrates something different and fresh. This could be new features, or a new way of providing an established service, or it could be that the product or service was developed in a genuinely new way. Details of exactly how the product or service demonstrates innovation will be essential, and customer references, where available, will be helpful.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Multi/Hybrid Cloud Product of the Year

There are many ways of using the cloud today: combinations of private and public, on-prem and off-, or bringing together several different cloud vendors in a multi-cloud setup. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks. This award is for the product that unlocks the greatest multi- and hybrid cloud efficiency; giving them speed and scale, while minimising complexity and cost.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

PROJECT EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES

Best Cloud Project

We’re looking for the most effective cloud project within an end user organisation. How has this use of cloud technology positively affected – even transformed – your organisation? It doesn’t matter the size or scale of the project – the onus is on impressing the judges with how it’s given your company the edge. Please include evidence by case study.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

Best use of AI in the Cloud

Artificial intelligence is the next big game-changing technology, with thousands of potential use cases. Combining it with cloud computing gives AI systems access to vast troves of data to deliver more value at lower costs. This award is for AI projects and implementations that rely on the cloud; entries should describe exactly why the AI system was implemented, how it uses the cloud and what the results have been.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy, it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category, do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.

**NEW** Most Successful Cloud Migration

Migrating services from on-premises to cloud, or from one cloud to another can be a complex process, risking downtime and disruption. The judges want to learn about successful migration projects within UK organisations, with case studies to prove their success.

Important information:

  • Do not submit marketing copy; it will not be accepted as an entry.
  • Your entry must be specific to the category; do not enter the same submission across multiple categories.
  • All entrants must have presence in the UK, and any case studies provided MUST be UK-based.
  • Entrants are expected to attend the awards ceremony.
  • You will receive your finalist logo after booking a table.