ON FRIDAY, April 17, the Pride of Reading Awards kicked off another year of celebrating some of Reading’s unsung heroes at its launch event for the 2026 awards.
Organisers, sponsors, and guests all gathered at Mal Maison in Central Reading to mark the opening of nominations for this year’s awards, set to take place in the Autumn.
AB Walker returns, sponsoring Volunteer of the Year; The Oracle are back as sponsors of the Chris Tarrant Award; Cherubs is also back, sponsoring the Hospitality Award in memory of Hilary Scott; Reading Football Club return as sponsors Neighbourhood Champion Award; and Hilton Reading once again sponsoring Community of the Year.
There are also a few new sponsors and categories this year, including Vale & West who sponsor the Music Legacy Award, and the Pride of Reading CIC, who are sponsoring the Grassroots Music Award.
Reading Buses returns as sponsor of the Employee of the Year Award.
Robert Williams said: “We really love the way that the Pride of Reading Awards celebrates all of the good stuff going on here in Reading, and its great to be able to pick out stories of what amazing employees are doing.
“We’re part and parcel of the community, so we like to think that what we do with PORA is a product of that.
“We are always trying to do better–as soon as you sit back, that’s when you get overtaken.
“It’s always a highlight of the calendar.”
Educatering Solutions sponsor this year’s School of the Year award–Tim Robinson said: “I was involved with the awards back when they started over 20 years ago, so it’s lovely to be a sponsor for this year.
“We supply schools and nursuries throughout Thames Valley, so sponsoring School of the Year is a great fit for us.”
Mark Dubell said: “We also know how difficult is is for schools, as we spend a lot of our time working with them, so we see how challenging it can be–more than ever.
“So we really want to give recognition to those going above and beyond.”
Boyes Turner returns sponsoring Business in Action; Andy Whiteaker said: “It’s a really enjoyable event to attend.
“It’s always a bit of a tearjerker hearing about the fantastic things that people do in the community and the amazing value that they give back to the town.
“We love seeing what businesses
“And it’s always fun to reconnect and get the excitement started again for another year.”
McDonald’s returns once again as sponsor of The Inspiration Award.
Richard Forte said: “We’re always really happy to sponsor the inspiration award–it resonates with the business and what we do so well.
“And yet no matter how many times we’ve done so, I still get excited. Reflecting on last year, the winners do have such an impact.
“The work they do, the community spirit they engender.
“It’s a privilege to be able to play our part in enabling it, bringing these wonderful awards to life.”
De Vere Wokefield Estate, sponsoring Child of Courage
Tara Wells said: “This is our third year sponsoring Child of Courage, and it’s so great to be back; we love being part of the awards.
“The award really aligns with us at Wokefield. It’s important to recognise the talent of younger people and inspire others, which is something we try to do at the hotel.
“The awards themselves are such a nice group of people, it’s lovely to be a part of that.”
Cream Design returns sponsoring Charity of the Year.
Barney Firth said: “After being in business for over thirty years, we’ve worked with charities every one of those years– seeing the work they do and how hidden it can be, it’s great to be able to bring that to the fore.
“Then they get noticed with the great things they’re doing and helping them get more support, and there’s so many such organisations around Reading who need a little light more shining on them.
“The change and the growth in Reading has been incredible over the last 20 or so years, and we adore the Pride of Reading–they do such a fantastic job.”
The Purple Turtle and Jacobs are once again teaming up as sponsors of the Putting Reading on the Map Award
Danny from The Purple Turtle said: “We look forward to it every year– and it’s a really worthwhile award to sponsor.”
Adam Jacobs agreed: “We really enjoy sponsoring this category in particular, because it reflects just how important Reading is on a national and international level.
“It’s a privilege to be able to do; there seems to be no shortage of fantastic achievement and amazing organisations here, and long may that continue.”
The University of Reading is also among the new sponsors, with the new Climate and Sustainability Impact Award.
Dylan Parkes said: “Reading is well recognised as a world leader in Climate Science and understanding climate change and its impact on society.
“Locally we work very closely as part of the Climate Change Partnership, both through our expertise but also in empowering those across the community in taking climate action.
“It’s fantastic for us to be part of this in our Centenary year, recognising individuals or groups who have championed and made a huge impact on our local environment–it’s a natural focus for us to support that.”
Reading BID and the Reading Economic and Destination Agency are jointly sponsoring Independent Retailer of the Year.
Mark Pearson said: “As independent organisations, it’s so important that REDA and the BID support, promote, and champion independent retailers.
“It takes so much effort as an indie retailer, to engage with customers, to meet their needs, that critical level of customer service.
“Something that celebrates place is critically important, and everybody wins–it takes raising yourself above the parapet to get nominated, and of course the resultant promotion of being nominated and winning.
“But ultimately it is all about taking part, celebrating the passion and the pride.”
Clearview Intelligence is also among the new sponsors this year, with the Health Worker of the Year Award.
Sir John Madejski said: “The Pride of Reading Awards are one of the highlights of the year, honouring the unsung heroes in all sorts of different fields of endeavour–it’s a great privilege to be a part of it.
“Events like this show the parts of Reading which keep their spirit, especially organisers like Sally and Marc, and those who keep that connection with the awards.
“It’s such a positive, uplifting occasion, and one I enjoy very much.”
Nominations for the Pride of Reading Awards 2026 are now open.
Full details about this year’s Pride of Reading Awards, including how to make a nomination, are available via: www.porawards.co.uk
