The credibility of any awards program rests entirely on the people scoring the entries. For the CX Awards 2026, we are assembling a panel that reflects the true decision-makers in the customer experience industry. We are thrilled to announce that our initial lineup of judges is now confirmed.
This year, we have intentionally stacked our panel with enterprise buyers, seasoned practitioners, and sharp industry analysts.
These are the leaders who authorize budgets, oversee complex contact center rollouts, and deal with the real-world consequences of CX technology every single day.
“The panel is weighted toward buyers because winning should mean something to buyers.”
Rob Scott, Executive Chair of Judges & Founder and Publisher, CX Today
A Glimpse at Our 2026 Judges
While you can view the complete list on our official judging page, we want to highlight a selection of the heavyweight brands joining us this year to evaluate your submissions:
Enterprise Leaders
- Vodafone – Managing one of Europe’s largest telecomms networks with 279 million mobile customers, Vodafone brings unparalleled insight into delivering customer experience at a global scale.
- Lloyds Banking Group – With nearly 28 million customers and over 30,000 customer-facing team members actively using AI to enhance experiences, Lloyds Banking Group understands exactly how to deploy technology that drives real outcomes.
- Gymshark – Serving customers in over 200 countries across 14 online stores, Gymshark brings a razor-sharp perspective on building fiercely loyal, community-driven e-commerce experiences.
Industry Analysts
- KPMG – Operating across 138 countries with over 276,000 professionals, KPMG brings deep, global expertise in AI, digital transformation, and operational efficiency to our judging panel.
- Deloitte – Serving nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500, consultancy Deloitte provides our panel with an unmatched, macro-level perspective on how the world’s largest enterprises are successfully deploying CX technology.
Meet the Chair of Judges
Rob Wilkinson
Chair of Judges, CX Awards 2026 | LinkedIn
Rob Wilkinson leads CX Today and CX Awards with a mission to build the most credible, independent voice in customer experience. As Chair of Judges, Rob leads the panel selection process and is ultimately responsible for the integrity of every shortlist and winner decision across all 25 categories.
“The CX Awards represent much more than a trophy, they signal the global state of customer experience. Winning a CX Award is a sign that your organization has its finger on the pulse of this ever-innovating industry.”
The Evidential Standard: How You Will Be Scored
When you submit your entry, it will be evaluated with absolute neutrality. Our judges conduct independent, blind scoring and must declare any commercial conflicts of interest. They are trained to look past the marketing spin and score based purely on the evidence provided.
To win, you must lead with outcomes. The panel applies four criteria, each with a strict weighting:
- Demonstrable Impact (30%)
- Innovation Depth (30%)
- Market Differentiation (20%)
- Future Relevance (20%)
“What happens next is the most important part of the programme – and the part that happens in private.”
Rob Scott, Executive Chair of Judges & Founder and Publisher, CX Today
Key Dates & Next Steps
The application window is currently underway. Do not leave your submission to the last minute. Use this time to build a winning, data-backed entry.
| Date | Milestone | What to do now |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | Entries Open | The entry portal is live. Choose your categories, find the hard-hitting stats, and build your submission. |
| September 30, 2026 | Final Deadline | Last chance. Entries close on September 30. Don’t be caught out by the deadline. |
| October 22, 2026 | Shortlist Announced | The judging panel publishes the finalists across every category. Shortlisted entrants gain significant industry visibility ahead of the ceremony. |
| November 3, 2026 | Awards Ceremony | The winners are announced live at the CX Awards 2026 ceremony — the night the customer experience industry comes together to recognize its best. |
Frequently Asked Questions
The CX Awards 2026 judging panel brings together enterprise CX leaders, experienced practitioners, and independent industry analysts. The panel includes representatives from organizations such as Vodafone, Lloyds Banking Group, Gymshark, KPMG, and Deloitte.
Entries are independently and blindly scored against four weighted criteria: Demonstrable Impact (30%), Innovation Depth (30%), Market Differentiation (20%), and Future Relevance (20%). Judges look for clear, evidence-backed outcomes rather than marketing claims.
Yes. Judges must declare any commercial conflicts of interest before reviewing entries, helping to ensure every submission is assessed fairly, neutrally, and on the evidence provided.
Focus on measurable outcomes. Clearly explain the challenge, the solution implemented, the innovation involved, and the real-world impact, supported by data, customer results, operational improvements, or other verifiable evidence.
Entries close on September 30, 2026. The shortlist will be announced on October 22, 2026, with winners revealed at the CX Awards ceremony on November 3, 2026. Who is judging the CX Awards 2026?
How are CX Awards entries judged?
Are conflicts of interest managed during judging?
What should I include in a strong CX Awards entry?
When is the deadline for CX Awards 2026 entries?
