Building on the success of our inaugural Member Awards in 2025, Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK) and Design Insider are delighted to launch the Next Generation Awards 2026 sponsored by Silentnight Contract. These awards champion the rising talent within our member community and spotlight the people whose innovation, leadership, and dedication are driving the future of commercial interiors.
2025 winners
For 2026, we’re excited to introduce a new category: Next Generation Sales Person Award, alongside our established categories for Apprentices, Production Leaders, Senior Leaders, and Marketeers. We’ve also refined the eligibility criteria so that, apart from Apprentices, nominees can now have up to four years in their current role.
WHY ENTER?
The Next Generation Awards provide an invaluable opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding talent within your organisation. By nominating your rising stars, you not only acknowledge their achievements but also demonstrate your commitment to developing and rewarding excellence within your team.
These awards also help raise the profile of the commercial interiors sector as a whole, showcasing it as a thriving, dynamic, and innovative industry full of opportunity. By celebrating the next generation of talent, we help attract and inspire future professionals who recognise the exciting careers available within this flourishing sector.
AWARD CATEGORIES & DESCRIPTIONS
1) Next Generation Rising Apprentice Award
Purpose: To honour an apprentice who has shown exceptional promise and dedication, consistently going above and beyond in their role.
What great entries show:
- A proactive approach to learning and development.
- Clear contributions to a project or team outcome.
- Initiative and reliability that support colleagues and the wider business.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Provide one project example that demonstrates their skills and impact.
- Show clear outcomes that have positively affected the business.
2) Next Generation Production Leader Award
Purpose: To recognise a production department leader who, within a short tenure, has made a significant impact through effective leadership and delivery.
What great entries show:
- Strong people and process leadership on the production floor.
- Hitting or exceeding targets (quality, efficiency, safety, cost, sustainability).
- Evidence of overcoming challenges and driving continuous improvement.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Up to 4 years in their current production leadership role.
- Provide one project example that demonstrates leadership and delivery.
- Show clear outcomes that have directly impacted the business.
3) Next Generation Senior Leadership Award
Purpose: To celebrate a senior leader who has already demonstrated innovative and effective management early in their tenure.
What great entries show:
- Strategic thinking and decision-making that deliver measurable results.
- Successful navigation of complex challenges and change initiatives.
- Evidence of leading teams to achieve significant outcomes.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Up to 4 years in their current senior leadership role.
- Provide one project example that highlights strategic leadership.
- Show clear outcomes with tangible business impact.
4) Next Generation Outstanding Marketeer Award
Purpose: To celebrate a marketing professional who has been instrumental in the successful launch or growth of an innovative product, service, or brand initiative.
What great entries show:
- Creative strategy aligned to commercial objectives.
- Measurable outcomes (brand awareness, demand generation, sales enablement, ROI).
- Cross-functional collaboration with product, sales, and leadership.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Up to 4 years in their current marketing role.
- Provide one project example that demonstrates marketing excellence.
- Show clear outcomes that have directly impacted the business.
5) NEW: Next Generation Sales Person Award
Purpose: To recognise a sales professional who is rapidly building a track record of results through consultative selling, relationship building, and exceptional customer service.
What great entries show:
- Consistent achievement against targets and pipeline growth.
- Key wins or account development supported by data or testimonials.
- Collaboration with marketing, design, and operations to deliver client value.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Up to 4 years in their current sales role.
- Provide one campaign, account, or project example that evidences sales impact. Share outcomes and approach e.g., revenue growth, margin, retention, multi-site rollout, new market entry.
- Show achievement as a percentage against KPI targets.
KEY DATES (2026)
Submission Deadline: Monday 2 February 2026
Shortlist Announced: Monday 2 March 2026
Awards Ceremony: Thursday 23rd April 2026 at Halle St Peter’s, Manchester
Please submit all entries via this form.
HOW TO ENTER
- Prepare your nominee statement (max 600 words) covering role, responsibilities, and achievements.
- Include one standout project/campaign example with objectives, your role, actions, and outcomes.
- Attach supporting evidence where available (metrics, testimonials, visuals).
- Submit your entry via this form before the deadline.
You may nominate more than one individual and enter multiple categories. Each submission must be made separately. There is no fee to enter the awards. (Event tickets must be purchased separately if you wish to attend the ceremony.)
JUDGING PROCESS
- Judging is conducted via digital applications and reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts.
- Entries are scored against clarity of objectives, quality of delivery, measurable outcomes, innovation, and collaboration/leadership (as relevant to the category).
- Each category will have a shortlist of up to 8 finalists. The shortlist will be announced on Monday 2 March 2026.
ELIGIBILITY SUMMARY (2026)
- All nominees must be employees of CIUK member companies.
- Time in current role: Up to 4 years (all categories except Apprentice).
- Submissions must include one project example and clear, evidenced outcomes.
CONTACTS
Awards & Entries: alys@designinsiderlive.com
For general enquiries, please contact the CIUK team. We look forward to celebrating the outstanding individuals shaping the future of our industry at the Next Generation Awards 2026.
NEXT GENERATION AWARDS 2025 SPONSOR
The Next Generation Awards 2026 are sponsored by Silentnight. Silentnight Contract specialises in flexible, scientifically proven sleep solutions for every hospitality experience. Our trusted brands and handmade products, crafted in the UK, undergo rigorous testing for durability, comfort, and safety. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and customer service, we deliver excellence backed by continuous sleep science research.
ATTEND THE AWARDS EVENT
Celebrate the next wave of talent shaping the future of commercial interiors at the Next Generation Awards 2026 Ceremony, an unmissable evening of celebration, fine dining, and networking in the heart of Manchester.
Join us on Thursday 23 April 2026, from 7pm to midnight, at Hallé St Peter’s, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF.
While entry to the awards is free, tickets to attend the ceremony are £180 + VAT per person (non-refundable). The evening will feature award presentations, a three-course dinner, music, and plenty of opportunities to connect with industry peers. The dress code is lounge suit or cocktail dress.
Book your tickets HERE
Experience an inspiring night as we honour outstanding student and member achievements, a true celebration of our sector’s future leaders.