Judges & Theme Unveiled | British Business Awards 2026 - The Nineteenth Evening
With the freshness of autumn joining us once more, it is with great pleasure and excitement that we officially unveil the appointed judges of the British Business Awards 2026 - The Nineteenth Evening, alongside the much anticipated official theme announcement.
The formal judging season for our shortlisted nominees began on the 7 October 2026, and will conclude on the 30 October. The British Business Awards (BBA) celebrate excellence, innovation, and integrity within the UK-Japan business community.
All nominations are evaluated against defined criteria aligned with the core values of the BBA: SUCCESS, INNOVATION, and ETHICS.
The Judging Framework
Each year, the judging process follows a rigorous and transparent framework to ensure fairness and independence.
Decisions on the BBA2026 winners are based on the combined results of six independent judges, each assessing entries in two or three categories using the same standard scoring system. All judges score individually and without influence from others.
This year, the British Business Awards once again celebrates seven prestigious awards.
Company of the Year
UK-Japan Partnership of the Year
SME / Entrepreneur of the Year
New Market Entrant of the Year
Responsible Business of the Year
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Digital & Tech Innovation
PERFORMANCE FORGED.
The Official Theme of the British Business Awards 2026 - The Nineteenth Evening
Success is often described in the language of bridges, connection and opportunity, as though it arrives fully formed. In truth, it begins with a spark of intent, a meeting of minds, a promise kept. Over time, through action, trust, respect and understanding, those moments gather weight and take shape.
PERFORMANCE FORGED is a reflection of that process: cultivated success through many hands. This year, we ground our awards within enduring legacies of every player behind great and well-earnt business success.
Introducing the 2026 Judges of The Nineteenth Evening
In alphabetical order of surname
Michael Blyth
Consul-General, British Consulate-General Osaka
The UK-Japan business community is special because it combines global ambition with an emphasis on long-term relationships. I am therefore delighted to be joining the judging panel for BBA2026. I am looking forward to discovering innovation and partnerships making a difference across the regions of the UK and Japan (not just London and Tokyo), and to celebrate the businesses and individuals involved.
Eriko Ishida-Kawai
Emeritus Professor, Kyoto University | Independent Director, Mitsui Fudosan, DMG MORI SEIKI, CMIC Holdings. | Senior Advisor, International Management Forum
I am honoured to join the British Business Awards 2026 judging panel and look forward to discovering the outstanding achievements, innovation, and collaboration reflected in this year’s nominations. The UK-Japan business community is especially meaningful to me, having lived and worked in London for a UK investment bank in my twenties and served as a member of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group.
This year’s theme, 'PERFORMANCE FORGED,' resonates strongly with me. Exceptional performance is rarely achieved alone; it is forged through perseverance, passion, sustained effort, and trusted partnerships. The UK-Japan business community embodies these values.
Kentaro Kiso
SRM & President, Barclays Securities Japan
It is a true honour and privilege to serve as a Judge for the 2026 British Business Awards, and I am genuinely excited to be part of this year’s journey. Having once stood among the nominees ourselves, this role carries particular meaning for me. Exceptional achievements are never made overnight; they are built through relentless perseverance, passion and genuine collaboration. I warmly congratulate all of this year’s nominees for their remarkable contributions to the UK–Japan business community, and I look forward to celebrating your achievements together at BBA Night on 13 November.
Yasumasa Nagamine
Of Counsel / Attorney-at-Law, Anderson, Mori & Tomotsune | Chairman, The Japan-British Society | Former Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom
I am honoured to sit as a judge for the BBA2026 candidates for the first time. Our business relations between Japan and the U.K. have always been global, strategic, and cordial. I am convinced that judges will discover many worthy business initiatives which will strengthen not only our business partnership but also people to people friendship in the years to come.
Natasha Pheiffer
Regional Managing Director Asia, BAE Systems
The enduring partnership between Japan and the UK has achieved remarkable progress, built on shared values, innovation and collaboration. It is inspiring to see how the companies recognised through these Awards have contributed to strengthening this important relationship over the past year. I am proud to represent an organisation that sees immense value in working closely with Japan, and I look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead as both nations continue to grow and succeed together.
Kay Yamada MBE
Joint Founder and Horticulturist of Tateshina Barakura English Garden
蓼科高原バラクライングリッシュガーデンの共同オーナーとして英国の園芸文化の普及と発展をけん引してまいりました。日英間の文化交流を一層進化させるとともにコミュニティの形成、共生の精神、環境保全の重要性に尽くしてまいりました。
この度GREEN EXPO 2027の英国政府への庭の制作の支援をさせていただくことになりました。
日英の交流を広げることにより新しいビジネスの可能性を感じております。
日英のビジネスコミニティーの方々の常に前向きなチャレンジを拝見することを楽しみにしております。
As co-owner of the Tateshina Kogen Barakura English Garden, I have worked to promote and develop British gardening culture in Japan. Through this work, I have also sought to deepen cultural exchange between Japan and the UK, while contributing to community building, the spirit of coexistence, and greater awareness of environmental conservation.
I am now pleased to be supporting the creation of the UK Government’s garden for GREEN×EXPO 2027. By continuing to expand connections between Japan and the UK, I feel there are many new possibilities for business. I look forward to seeing the positive challenges and new initiatives being taken by members of the Japan-UK business community.
We are delighted to have such a stellar selection of judges to set the tone for The Nineteenth Evening.
