For more than two decades, the BBH Awards have celebrated the projects, teams and organisations shaping the future of healthcare infrastructure, from NHS Trusts and architects to contractors, suppliers and specialist partners delivering measurable impact across the sector.
With increasing pressure on estates, sustainability targets, digital transformation and patient-centred design, the 2026 awards provide a platform to highlight the solutions making a tangible difference across healthcare settings nationwide.
Recognising innovation where it matters most
The awards span a wide range of categories covering:
- New build and refurbishment projects
- Sustainable design and delivery
- Digital innovation and smart technologies
- Collaborative partnerships
- Product and service innovation
- Outstanding teams and individuals
Each entry is rigorously judged by an independent panel of industry experts, ensuring that winners represent best practice, measurable outcomes and genuine advancement within the sector.
In a landscape defined by funding constraints, workforce challenges and rising expectations, the awards aim to showcase practical innovation - solutions that improve patient experience, enhance operational efficiency and deliver long-term value.
Building Better Healthcare Editor, Sophie Bullimore, said: “This year, we’re introducing exciting new categories that reflect the sector’s continued evolution. With so much innovation shaping healthcare in 2026, I’m looking forward to seeing the outstanding entries that will define the awards.”
Why enter?
Beyond recognition on the night, the awards offer:
- Independent endorsement from respected industry judges
- National visibility across the healthcare estates community
- A platform to demonstrate measurable impact
- Recognition for teams driving change under challenging conditions
For NHS organisations and supply chain partners alike, entering provides an opportunity to formally document achievements, strengthen stakeholder engagement and benchmark success against peers.
Commenting on the launch of the 2026 awards, Hayley Smith, Strategy and Transformation Director at Darwin Group, our returning headline sponsor, said,
“Darwin Group looks forward to celebrating the finalists and applauding the winners who continue to raise the standard for healthcare environments across the UK. The BBH Awards reflect this spirit of innovation and collaboration, and we are proud to continue our partnership.”
Key dates and next steps
Entries are now open and will close on 24 July 2026. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 4 November at The Brewery in London.
Full category details, entry criteria and submission guidance can be found here.
