Achievers Awards 2026 launched by SWA
The 2026 Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards, celebrating wholesale businesses and their staff, are set to reward even more people
Entries are now open for the awards programme, created by the Scottish Wholesale Association, that rewards outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland and is in its 23rd year.
With £1,000 going to the overall winner of each people category – Wholesale Driver of The Year, Rising Star of Wholesale, Employee of the Year, Wholesale Local Food Champion and Supplier Sales Executive of the Year – in 2026 there will also be £500 awarded to each runner-up and £250 for each highly commended winner.
Returning to the O2 Academy Edinburgh venue on Thursday, 19 February 2026, the event highlights best practice and innovation within the industry and also recognises the dedicated people who keep its wheels moving.
With 14 wholesale category awards and five supplier awards up for grabs, Achievers are the only awards in Scotland dedicated to the wholesale food and drink sector, with the gala awards celebration attended by more than 500 people from across the wholesale industry and its supply chain each year.
Awards also encompass sustainability, marketing and innovation, and there are categories for Best Delivered Operation for retail and foodservice, Best Licensed Wholesaler for off-trade and on-trade, Best Symbol Group and Best Cash & Carry.
For suppliers, in addition to Supplier Sales Executive of The Year – where the winner, runner-up and highly commended receive £1,000, £500 and £250 respectively – there are awards for Project Wholesale, Best Overall Service, Best Foodservice Supplier, and Best Advertising Campaign.
SWA Chief Executive Colin Smith, launching the awards, said: “As ever, we are taking an opportunity to reward the wholesale sector and highlight the fantastic work companies the length and breadth of Scotland are doing to get food and drink on the nation’s tables.
“It has never been more important to shine a spotlight on the wholesale sector, our suppliers and the people who make it all come together. Our sector is crucial to the Scottish economy and the resilience of our food supply chain – and it is only right that we shout about it.”
“We always listen to the feedback we get from wholesalers, suppliers and our sponsors, and take on board their views as well as industry innovations, trends and challenges, ensuring that Achievers evolves and is attuned to the issues of the day. We are proud that Achievers has become a benchmark for other UK-wide industry awards.”
Wholesalers and suppliers can submit their entries online via the Achievers 2026 entry form at https://www.scottishwholesale.co.uk/achievers-awards-2026/
Achievers awards Colin Smith suppliers SWA Wholesalers
