Award sponsors show their support for city’s food and drink sector

This year’s Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards has attracted an enviable line-up of sponsors.

Now approaching their 18th year, the awards attract thousands of nominations, while hundreds of people attend the awards ceremony itself.

SEGRO plc, Catering24, Derby College Group, trentbarton, Edwards, Flint Bishop, Leonardo, Locally We Do, Bloc Digital and the University of Derby have pledged their support.

As well as gaining media exposure through Marketing Derby’s channels, sponsors will judge their own category – and have the opportunity to sample the food and drink of their chosen finalists as ‘mystery’ customers.

They also get to present their category’s award at the ceremony.

A new sponsor for this year’s awards is SEGRO plc, which is involved in the major food production hub Smartparc SEGRO Derby.

It is sponsoring the coveted Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards Restaurant of the Year 2026 category.

Ben Green, director of development (national markets) at SEGRO, said: “SEGRO is proud to be sponsoring the Derby Food & Drink Awards for the first time.

“Through our long-term investments in the region, including at SmartParc SEGRO Derby, we’re committed to supporting the growth of the region’s food and drink sector and are excited to celebrate the people and businesses driving its success.”

Christopher Tebbs, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Food and Drink Awards lead, said: “These are the only awards in Derby which recognise the city’s food and drink sector – and they simply wouldn’t be able to happen without the generous support of our fantastic sponsors.”