Winners are top secret until called to stage at the gala awards, shortlisters are public on the IOC web from today. We bring you an early headline set of the 2026 best of best shortlisters ready to go before the Inst of Couriers panel of judges chaired by Simon Brooks. Superheroes and Four categories of:  road two wheels, road four wheels, contract and office. The corporate awards, including the David Jamieson safety category, eco green, apprentice next generation and step change have not yet been revealed.

Individual headlines in alphabetical brand order

IOC give you an extracted snapshot of A to Z brands scoring headline individual shortlisters. It’s a mouthwatering insight into the thirtieth-year celebration event recognising best of best in delivery to door logistics.

Absolutely cycle courier shortlisted when they stopped to help. Addison Lee have ‘know it will get there’ recognition. APC Pro Despatch two decades of people first office. Cal Couriers deliver Bute. CitySprint focus on two Birmingham medical courier superheroes, DPD clock up a driver pair at eight years. DX two decade van driver with deep experience. FedEx have a 45 year van driver. Quicksilver Manchester driver opens doors for Christmas. Royal Mail have postie of the year. Santis driver with extraordinary work ethic. SBL superhero for Crawley incident. Smiths News driver stepped from one to nineteen route success. TVS office individual who transformed warehouse network. Whistl deliver two superheroes who changed lives.

Find the full nominations here

You must reserve your ticket to be in the room!

Thirty-year anniversary of National Courier Awards returns to Drapers' Livery Hall in the City of London for a gala evening of network, natter, ceremony and celebration of the best of the best in final mile last mile, national to regional and SME express operators balanced alongside each other for the wins. Shortlisters will be lined up for the iconic photo of the best of our sector before being piped into the awards. Guests rattle their clappers from post code tables for there are superheroes alongside regular drivers at the top of their game for client support and delivery of the 'first time every time on time' delivery at door success - reliability, consistency and security is in the nominations.

Simon Brooks as head of panel of judges may have the hardest time of his life to agree panel votes of recognition for the winners, those called to stage are a secret until the moment of the call, to receive the ultimate accolade of express logistics they must be in the room.

Are you in the room? Only a handful of seats remain for the gala dinner event, Dr Tracey Worth, ‘fellows not yet on the list need to email me ASAP to be at the event, thirty years makes it one that will be remembered. Clappers rattling, Curly Wurlies and post code tables, shortlisters will be walked in with escort of the Bagpipes of James Reid. Jingles will be loud, vocals will be opera and the military band will be rousing. The event is a focus to our front line while VVIPs supporting our sector will be from Govt to regional compliance, don’t miss reserving the last seats - email your name and numbers to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The 2025 shortlisters photo for last year's National Courier Awards