University of Greater Manchester Backs Bolton Awards 2026

Key Points

• The University of Greater Manchester has been confirmed as a category sponsor for the 2026 Bolton News Business Awards.
• The university is sponsoring the Environmental/Sustainability Award, which recognises ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices.
• Four Bolton businesses are shortlisted: Arbworks, K3 Advisory Group, Roots and Branches, and The Restoration Group.
• Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Greg Walker said the university is “delighted” to support the awards and champion sustainability.
• The awards ceremony will be held at Toughsheet Community Stadium on Thursday, September 17, with Bolton Council as headline sponsor.
• Richard Duggan, regional editor at Newsquest North West and editor of The Bolton News, welcomed the university’s support.
• Tickets are available through the official Newsquest store, with chief executive Maura Jackson hosting the event.

Bolton (Manchester Mirror) August 25, 2026 — The University of Greater Manchester has joined this year’s uk/local/bolton/">Bolton News Business Awards as a category sponsor, backing the Environmental/Sustainability Award that highlights local businesses advancing ethical and green practices. The announcement comes as the shortlist for the 2026 awards has already been published, with four Bolton firms in contention for the sustainability prize.

Who is sponsoring the Environmental/Sustainability Award at the 2026 Bolton News Business Awards?

The University of Greater Manchester is the latest sponsor confirmed for the 2026 Bolton News Business Awards, taking on the Environmental/Sustainability category. As reported by a Bolton News journalist in the outlet’s coverage published on August 25, 2026, the university’s sponsorship is focused on recognising businesses with ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable practices, with judges assessing their achievements and contribution to the green economy.

Dr Greg Walker, Acting Vice Chancellor at the University of Greater Manchester, said:

“We are delighted to support The Bolton News’ Business Awards and be a sponsor of the Environmental/Sustainability Award category.” He added: “Championing sustainability and recognising businesses that are making a positive difference to our environment and the local community is something we are proud to support and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of all the finalists.”

Richard Duggan, regional editor at Newsquest North West and editor of The Bolton News, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome the university on board as a category sponsor and for their support of the wider awards, as well as what we do here at The Bolton News to celebrate local businesses and promote the brilliant organisations that call the borough home.”

His remarks were quoted in the same Bolton News report announcing the sponsorship.

Which businesses are shortlisted for the Environmental/Sustainability Award?

Four Bolton-based organisations have been shortlisted for the Environmental/Sustainability Award at this year’s ceremony, according to the Bolton News report. The finalists are: Arbworks; K3 Advisory Group; Roots and Branches; and The Restoration Group. The award is designed to recognise businesses demonstrating ethical conduct, social responsibility and environmentally sustainable operations, with judges evaluating their measurable contributions to the green economy.

The shortlist for the wider 2026 Bolton News Business Awards was revealed in late July, with ten categories covering customer service, sustainability, apprenticeships, community impact and business growth, as previously reported by The Bolton News. Bolton Council remains the headline sponsor of the overall awards programme, a detail confirmed in multiple reports including the August 4 announcement of another category sponsor, Leisure Guard Security.

When and where will the 2026 Bolton News Business Awards take place?

The 2026 Bolton News Business Awards will be held at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Thursday, September 17, according to the Bolton News coverage of the sponsorship announcement. The venue has been used for previous editions of the awards and is a well-known local stadium in Bolton.

The ceremony will be hosted by Maura Jackson, a chief executive with nearly 20 years’ experience, as stated in the August 25 report. Tickets for the event are on sale via the official Newsquest store.

What has the University of Greater Manchester said about its sponsorship?

In its first public comments on the sponsorship, university leadership emphasised alignment with sustainability goals and local economic development. As quoted by The Bolton News, Dr Greg Walker said the institution is “delighted” to support the awards and specifically the Environmental/Sustainability category. He framed the sponsorship as a way to champion sustainability and recognise businesses making a positive difference to the environment and the local community.

The university’s statement did not disclose financial terms of the sponsorship, consistent with typical practice for category sponsorships at regional business awards. The Bolton News report also did not specify additional activation plans beyond the university’s presence as a category sponsor and its participation in the awards night.

How does this sponsorship fit into the wider 2026 awards programme?

The University of Greater Manchester’s sponsorship adds to a growing roster of partners for the 2026 Bolton News Business Awards, which already includes Bolton Council as headline sponsor. Other category sponsors have been announced in recent weeks, including Leisure Guard Security, which was confirmed on August 4 as sponsor of a community-focused category, according to The Bolton News.

The awards feature ten categories recognising excellence across customer service, sustainability, apprenticeships, community impact and business growth, as outlined when the shortlist was published in late July. The programme is organised by The Bolton News, part of Newsquest North West, with Richard Duggan serving as regional editor and editor of the title.

Background: How did this development come about?

The sponsorship announcement follows the publication of the 2026 shortlist in late July, which set the stage for category partners to align with specific award themes. The Bolton News has been rolling out sponsor confirmations through August, with the University of Greater Manchester’s involvement revealed on August 25, 2026. The university’s focus on the Environmental/Sustainability category matches broader regional emphasis on green growth and responsible business practices in Greater Manchester.

The awards ceremony itself has been scheduled for mid-September at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, with ticketing handled through Newsquest’s official store. Hosting duties will be carried out by Maura Jackson, a chief executive with nearly two decades of experience, according to the August 25 report.

Prediction: How could this affect local businesses and students in Bolton?

The University of Greater Manchester’s sponsorship of the Environmental/Sustainability Award is likely to raise the profile of sustainable business practices among Bolton’s small and medium-sized enterprises, given the visibility of the awards and the university’s local presence. For shortlisted firms such as Arbworks, K3 Advisory Group, Roots and Branches and The Restoration Group, the association with a higher education institution may strengthen credibility with customers and partners seeking verified green credentials.

For students and apprentices in Bolton, the sponsorship could create more opportunities for engagement with local businesses that prioritise sustainability, potentially informing project work, placements and future recruitment. Over time, repeated alignment between the university and sustainability-focused employers may encourage more firms to adopt measurable environmental practices to compete for recognition in future editions of the awards.