NABMA has celebrated the outstanding people, teams and markets helping to shape the future of the industry at the NABMA Gala Awards Dinner in Harrogate.
Held as part of the NABMA AGM and Conference 2026, the annual awards ceremony brought delegates together to recognise exceptional leadership, innovation, resilience, partnership working and commitment to local communities across the UK markets sector.
This year’s ceremony also included two particularly special presentations: the first Geraldine Carter Award, created in memory of NABMA’s former President, and the Krys Zasada Award, NABMA’s highest annual honour.
More photos coming soon!
Honorary Life Membership: Pauline Rider
NABMA was delighted to confer Honorary Life Membership on Pauline Rider of Chelmsford Market.
Pauline was recognised for the leadership, operational skill, hard work and dedication she has demonstrated throughout her career. Her work has helped transform Chelmsford’s market portfolio, attract a diverse mix of traders and support professional development within the wider industry.
Pauline has also been a long-standing supporter of NABMA, regularly supporting our events and encouraging professional development within her team.
Geraldine Carter Award: Barnsley Markets Team
The first ever Geraldine Carter Award was presented to Barnsley Markets Team.
Created in memory of former NABMA President Geraldine Carter, the award recognises the many qualities that contribute to a successful market operation, including teamwork, partnership, innovation and achievement.
Barnsley Markets Team was recognised for consistently demonstrating excellence in market management, customer service and trader engagement, as well as its role within a major regeneration programme.
Its work has helped create a vibrant, welcoming and commercially successful market environment, while supporting traders, attracting visitors and ensuring the markets remain firmly at the heart of the town centre.
Large Market Manager of the Year: Adele Thomas
Adele Thomas of Chester Market was named Large Market Manager of the Year.
Adele was recognised for outstanding leadership, commercial performance and her wider contribution to the markets industry. Chester Market continues to operate at 100% occupancy, with strong footfall, trader confidence and a collaborative culture helping to support its ongoing success.
The judges also highlighted Adele’s willingness to share her knowledge with market operators across the UK and Europe, host visits and provide the benefit of her experience to colleagues elsewhere in the sector.
Small Market Manager of the Year: Adam Nichols
Adam Nichols of South Molton Pannier Market received the award for Small Market Manager of the Year.
Although relatively new to market management, Adam has overseen significant improvements including enhanced facilities, improved digital connectivity, new fixtures, an outdoor market and additional trading opportunities for residents and community groups.
Above all, his leadership has helped restore a strong sense of community, respect and pride among traders, shoppers and the wider town.
Large Market Team of the Year: Camden Markets
Camden Markets was named Large Market Team of the Year.
The small but highly ambitious team manages one of London’s most diverse market portfolios, including nine street markets, more than 50 kiosk and isolated trading sites and over 500 licensed traders.
Its work extends well beyond day-to-day operations, with a strong focus on regeneration, innovation, community engagement, supporting traders and securing external investment to improve markets across the borough.
The team was also recognised for the partnerships it has developed across council services, Business Improvement Districts, schools, community organisations, local businesses and traders.
Small Market Team of the Year: Edenbridge Town Council
Edenbridge Town Council received the Small Market Team of the Year award.
Since taking over management of the market in 2021, the team has delivered significant growth, increased trader numbers and introduced measures designed to make the market more accessible to both traders and visitors.
The team was particularly recognised for its hands-on and personal approach, support for start-ups and younger entrepreneurs, and the strong relationships it has built with its trader community.
Large Market Achievement Award: Bury Market
Bury Market received the Large Market Achievement Award following an ambitious 18-month, multi-million-pound regeneration programme.
The award recognised the extraordinary commitment, resilience and partnership demonstrated by the market team and traders as major construction work took place while the market remained operational.
Despite the scale of the challenge, Bury continued to attract significant visitor numbers and protect the livelihoods of hundreds of traders, while securing the long-term future of one of the UK’s best-known market destinations.
The project was recognised as a strong example of how major redevelopment can be delivered while protecting trade, footfall and the vitality of an established market.
Small Market Achievement Award: Wells City Council Market
Wells City Council Market was named winner of the Small Market Achievement Award.
The team successfully navigated the transfer of market operations through local government devolution, creating new systems, processes and ways of working while ensuring continuity for traders and customers.
Its flexibility, professionalism and commitment to positive trader relationships have helped the market emerge from a period of major organisational change stronger, more ambitious and better positioned to serve its community in the years ahead.
Trader Champion: Ade Adjilogba
Ade Adjilogba of Hackney Markets was named Trader Champion.
Ade was recognised for his practical and sustained work supporting the next generation of market traders and helping people progress from an initial idea to a market pitch, recognition and sustainable business growth.
His work has included playing a central role in trader development pathways, providing confidence, encouragement, constructive challenge and practical support to help traders take the next step in their businesses.
Ade has also supported numerous entrants through the NMTF Young Traders programme, helping develop category winners, regional finalists and national finalists.
His contribution demonstrates the importance of market professionals who not only support today’s trading environment but actively help build the traders and businesses of tomorrow.
Krys Zasada Award: Colin Wolstenholme
The evening concluded with NABMA’s highest annual honour, the Krys Zasada Award, presented to Colin Wolstenholme.
Colin has almost 50 years of experience in the markets industry and has made an enormous contribution at both local and national level.
As Markets Manager at Bradford, he recently oversaw the development and delivery of the new Darley Street Market as a focal point for the city centre. He has also served as long-time Chair of the NABMA Wholesale Forum, acted as a specialist adviser and contributed to major national research and surveys.
Throughout his career, Colin has freely shared his knowledge, supported professional development and demonstrated a consistent passion for professionally operated markets across the UK and beyond.
As Colin approaches retirement, the award recognises a lifetime of service, friendship and commitment to markets and market people. The Krys Zasada Award is kindly supported by Manchester City Council.
Highly Commended
NABMA also congratulates this year’s Highly Commended recipients:
- Phil Byers
- Muhammad Quasim
- Leeds Market Team
- Fleetwood Market
They were recognised for outstanding community impact, innovation, achievement and commitment to delivering high-quality market services.
NABMA extends its congratulations to every winner, recipient and nominee recognised during the evening.
We are also grateful to Zapp Outdoor for their generous sponsorship of the NABMA Market Awards 2026 and to Manchester City Council for their continued support of the Krys Zasada Award.
The Awards remain one of the highlights of our annual Conference and an important opportunity to celebrate the people whose dedication, professionalism and passion continue to strengthen markets and the communities they serve.
Full Citations for Each Winner:
The following are the full citations for each award winner, provided by NABMA Consultant David Preston. These citations can also be used as quotes by the winners for press releases:
Large Market Manager 2026: Adele Thomas of Chester Market
“Adele has made a significant contribution to the wider markets industry. Openly and willingly sharing knowledge, hosting market visits from market operators across the UK and Europe, consulting on and advising other market developments, and providing the benefit of her experience to colleagues across the sector. Adele reflects outstanding leadership, commercial performance, community impact and sector wide contribution.”
Small Market Manager 2026: Adam Nichols of South Molton Panier Market
“Without doubt the greatest achievement has been the positive culture that Adam has instilled. It is fair, approachable, supportive, and caring about both traders and shoppers. New leadership has restored a real sense of community, respect, and pride within the market”
Large Market Team of the Year 2026: Camden Markets
“What truly sets the Camden Markets Team apart is the dedication of its team. It works collaboratively across council services, Business Improvement Districts, schools, community organisations, local businesses, and traders to deliver projects that create lasting benefits. It consistently demonstrates professionalism, creativity and a genuine commitment to the success of the Borough’s markets.”
Small Market Team of the Year 2026: Edenbridge Town Council
“Edenbridge has a small Town Council team that took over management of the market in 2021 and has since delivered significant growth and real change. Trader numbers have increased significantly in that time. It now offers free parking, which removed a major barrier for visitors and traders and added electric vehicle charging points to support more sustainable travel. The market supports the social fabric of its community.”
Large Market Achievement: Bury Market
“The Bury Market Team and its traders have demonstrated precisely what the NABMA Market Achievement Award seeks to recognise: excellence in market management, outstanding partnership working and a commitment to securing a sustainable future for traditional markets while preserving the communities they serve.”
Small Market Achievement: Wells City Council Market
“At the heart of this achievement are the market traders and customers who bring life, character and vibrancy to the city each week. The Wells City Council Market team has worked tirelessly to build positive relationships with traders, recognising them as valued partners in the success of the markets and supporting them through a period of significant change and uncertainty.”
Market Champion
“The outstanding nomination we received for Ade Adjilogba shows his respect for the tradition of markets, and the fact that he is helping bring through the people who will carry that tradition forward. That is what the future of market’s needs. It needs market professionals who do not just manage today’s trading environment but actively build tomorrows. Ade is helping build the future of markets, one young trader at a time.”
Kris Zasada Award 2026: Colin Wolstenholme
“The markets industry will always be grateful for the manner in which Colin’s knowledge has been freely shared, professional development has been supported and the passion that he has consistently shown for shaping professionally operated markets both locally and across the UK and beyond.”
Geraldine Carter Award 2026: Barnsley Market
“The Barnsley Market team has shown exceptional commitment to supporting traders, attracting visitors and delivering high-quality events and promotions that increase footfall and strengthen the local economy. Their proactive approach to trader relationships, combined with a strong focus on customer experience, has helped maintain a diverse and resilient market offer that reflects the needs of the community.”
The NABMA Market Awards 2026 showcase exceptional talent and dedication behind your local markets, and we are as always proud to celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners.