The Chemical Business Association (CBA) has marked its third annual Chemmie Awards with a Blackpool Tower Ballroom celebration recognising the depth of talent and commitment across the UK chemical supply chain. The 27 November 2025 event drew over 300 guests, including CBA members, government officials, other associations, and international stakeholders.
The awards, which the CBA now describes as a “must-attend” fixture in the sector calendar, were created as an industry-owned platform to spotlight operational excellence, responsible care, and individual contribution across distribution and logistics. Alongside the formal proceedings, guests were treated to arcade games and circus performers in a deliberate nod to Blackpool’s heritage.
Charity fundraising again formed a core part of the evening. A video message highlighted the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Association’s chosen charity for 2025, before a raffle raised £3,148 on the night. That takes the CBA’s total contribution to the charity this year to more than £22,500.
“The Chemmies is more than an awards ceremony – it is a celebration of the people and businesses that power the UK’s chemical supply chain,” said Tim Doggett, chief executive of the CBA. “Created by the industry, for the industry, it has become a must-attend event in the calendar and the enthusiasm with which it is embraced speaks volumes about the pride, passion and purpose that drive our sector.”
Responsible Care remained a central theme. HW Coates took the Responsible Care Award for logistics services members, with Nordmann UK recognised in the distributor (office only) category, and Airedale Group winning among distributors with operational sites. DSV Air and Sea secured the Sustainability Award, with Holiferm Ltd highly commended, while Azelis UK collected the Wellbeing Award, again with Holiferm recognised.
Community and individual contribution were also in focus. Tennants Distribution won the Community Engagement Award, with Airedale Group highly commended. The Made a Difference Award went to Beverley Brooman of A-Gas Electronic Materials, while DSV’s Robyn Taylor picked up the Young Person Award. DKSH’s Jill Young received the Lifetime Achievement Award, underlining the role of long-serving leaders in keeping the sector moving.
At company level, Apprentice Employment Agency was named Affiliate Member of the Year, Bowker Group took Logistics Services Member of the Year, with DSV Air and Sea highly commended, and Brenntag UK won Distributor/Manufacturer Member of the Year, with Nordmann UK again highly commended. The President’s Award went to Kieran Rafferty of the Rakem Group.
Doggett stressed that much of the sector’s value remains invisible to end users despite underpinning everyday products and processes. “I am incredibly proud of our members. Every day, they contribute to products and solutions that are essential to everyday life. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, and yet its impact is everywhere,” he said, adding that the Chemmies “brings that contribution to the forefront.”
A roster of industry supporters backed the 2025 event, including headline sponsor Meade-King, Robinson & Co, and category sponsors spanning consulting, distribution, and logistics businesses. Several companies, along with Alzheimer’s Research UK itself, donated prizes for the charity raffle.
According to Doggett, the evening reflected “the energy, resilience, professionalism and camaraderie” of a sector under continuous regulatory, cost, and supply-chain pressure. For the CBA, positioning the Chemmies as a unifying “One CBA” moment is as much about sector cohesion as it is about trophies — and the Association shows no sign of letting the event lose momentum.
