Newport Live shortlisted for three awards in the Newport Business Awards next month
The shortlist for the well-received Newport Business Awards 2026 has been announced, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses and entrepreneurs across the city and Newport Live has been nominated across 3 categories in the inaugural year of the awards.
Newport Live has been shortlisted for the following awards:
· Third Sector Organisation of the Year – Newport Live
As a charitable trust, Newport Live is one of the leading third sector organisations in Newport and much of the activity undertaken by the organisation enables reinvestment into the city and its communities – so by joining as a Newport Live member or attending a show at the Riverfront, you’re reinvesting in your home city – something to be really proud of.
· Young Business Person of the Year – Luke Difranco - Newport Live
Luke is the Tennis Manager at Newport Live, based at the Regional Pool & Tennis Centre at Newport International Sports Village. Luke has been crucial in leading the tennis activity at Newport Live over the past 9 years, having joined the charity in a junior coaching capacity. The Tennis programme includes childrens tennis, performance tennis and pickleball for all ages bringing regional, national and international competition to the centre, alongside a community programme. Luke has also been instrumental to introducing a coaching programme to community tennis courts including those at Tredegar Park. Recently completing a successful free family fun day at Newport Tennis Centre, he’s popular with colleagues and customers alike, for his positive can-do approach.
· Creative & Digital Business of the Year – The Riverfront Theatre
After a record breaking run of Panto this year with Rapunzel, The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre which is the only professional theatre and arts centre in the city and the arts and culture centre for Newport Live has gone from strength to strength. The Riverfront welcomed over 27,000 people to the theatre over a 6 week period, many seeing a live theatre performance for the first time. The hugely talented Riverfront team create the panto in its entirety; their knowledge, skillset and experience created another exceptional panto, with record breaking results. The Riverfront also offers a robust schedule of shows, films and workshops for all ages, it’s a popular venue in the city centre which also offers the city’s only city-centre cinema, for which Newport Live members benefit from 2 for 1 tickets.
Andrea Ovey, Director of Business Development at Newport Live said:
“We work hard across the organisation in everything that we do to inspore people to be happier and healthier. Im thrilled that we have been successful in our nominations, to be finalists in the 3 categories in the Newport Business Awards. It’s important to us that our colleagues, members and customers understand how much we value them and - nominations like this provide external validation of that commitment. We’re very proud of the impact our colleagues make across our communities and we look forward to celebrating with other well deserved finalists at the Business Awards in March.”
More info on the categories can be found here:
2026 - Newport Business AwardsNewport Business Awards
