29 Apr 2026
Glasgow is a city with a long history of innovation. It has reinvented itself countless times down the centuries without ever losing the spirit that makes it unique. Every new era has added a further layer to the rich seam of culture that runs through the city like the Clyde, giving it a sense of place while connecting it to much further afield.
Today with more than 850 years of commerce, industry, arts and architecture as its legacy, Glasgow continues to do what it does best, rising to every challenge and coming up with new solutions and fresh ideas to make it relevant for each new age.
This year, when the Commonwealth Games returns to the city, the eyes of the world will once again focus on Glasgow and keeping pace with those sporting achievements will be The Inspiring City Awards, relaunched successfully last year by The Herald and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and back again to highlight the very best of Glasgow and the people behind its achievements, with each of the eight categories reflecting a different aspect of the city’s life and its aspirations.
The Arts & Culture Award will reward an individual or organisation that has enhanced the city’s cultural reputation through visual arts, music, theatre, architecture, literature, or cultural events. The Community Impact Award, sponsored by Allied Vehicles, will celebrate initiatives that have substantially improved quality of life, community cohesion, or social equity in Glasgow, while the Economic Impact Award will recognise businesses or initiatives that have significantly contributed to Glasgow’s economic growth and development.
For this Dear Green Place, the Environmental Awards has particular significance, and here the judges will be looking for evidence of how Glasgow’s environment and its efforts to combat climate change across the city have addressed the Glasgow Pacts, which were agreed by global leaders when the city hosted COP26.
Of equal relevance is the Heritage Champion Award, which will honour projects or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the preservation of Glasgow’s unique heritage and history.
For the Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader accolade, sponsored by Virgin Money, the search is on to find individuals at the forefront of Glasgow’s commercial hub who have demonstrated outstanding achievements as well as commitment to the city.
Glasgow and sport and inseparable, so the Sport Award, which will go to an organisation or individual that has fostered participation and achievement across communities of all kinds, is anticipated to be hotly contested and the same is true of the Youth Empowerment Project Award which will focus on initiatives designed to engage and empower the next generation of Glasgow’s citizens.
Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The Inspiring City Awards showcase the very best of Glasgow, and we are proud to be working in partnership with The Herald to bring this celebration to life once again.
“With 2026 set to be a landmark year for the city, Glasgow will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for a programme of major events, including the Commonwealth Games. For many, it will be their first experience of our city, and a chance to see its energy, creativity and community spirit first-hand.
“These awards shine a light on the people, organisations and cultural strengths that make Glasgow truly exceptional. They are a powerful reminder of the dedication, innovation and pride that define our city every single day.”
David Henderson, Head of Strategic Finance, Virgin Money said:
“Virgin Money is pleased to support these awards, recognising the innovation, resilience and ambition demonstrated across Glasgow’s business community over the past year.
The Outstanding Business Leader Award will celebrate an individual who has shown exceptional leadership, delivered tangible impact within their organisation, and made a meaningful contribution to the local economy. We are keen to recognise leaders whose achievements reflect both commercial success and a commitment to the long-term prosperity of the city.
And Ian McConnell, business editor of The Herald, said:
“We are once again delighted to join forces with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce for these prestigious awards, which celebrate inspiring achievements across the life of the city, including business and the economy, the environment, community impact and inclusion, art and culture, heritage, sport, and youth empowerment. Over the years, these awards have championed uplifting and extraordinary achievements by organisations and individuals who epitomise the great spirit of Glasgow. We look forward to celebrating many more inspiring stories in the 2026 awards.”
The awards are now open and can be entered via the event page: https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/icas/ with a deadline for entries of 6pm on Tuesday, 28 July, while the winners will be celebrated during an uplifting awards ceremony in the Glasgow Marriott on Thursday, 17 September.
By Agnes Stevenson, The Herald
