Northamptonshire-based agency Zinc Digital has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2026 Northamptonshire Business Awards, shortlisted for Innovation Business of the Year and Apprentice of the Year for Creative Digital Designer Abigail Mellish.

The recognition builds on a landmark year for the agency, which won both Small Business of the Year and the West Northants Innovation Award at the 2025 ceremony, before going on to achieve 2026 Google Premier Partner status – placing it among the top 3% of UK agencies.

Joe Zielinski, Founder and CEO of Zinc Digital, said: “To be shortlisted again for Innovation Business of the Year, following last year’s double win, means a great deal to our team. Innovation has always been about solving real business problems rather than simply adopting the latest technology. We’re proud that our investment in AI, software development and our people is delivering measurable results for clients, and seeing Abigail recognised alongside the business makes the achievement even more special.”

Zinc’s place as a finalist for Innovation Business of the Year reflects a year of sustained investment in AI and proprietary technology – the same investment that underpinned its Google Premier Partner status.

At the centre of it is AgentZ, Zinc’s custom AI orchestration platform, built to streamline and scale client delivery. The agency has also launched three in-house software products and significantly increased its R&D investment.

The Apprentice of the Year finalist spot for Abigail Mellish marks the first time Zinc has entered this category and highlights the agency’s growing focus on developing early-career talent alongside its technical innovation.

Oliver McKeown, Head of Digital at Zinc Digital added: “Abigail joined us mid-apprenticeship after being made redundant elsewhere, and within months played a key role in securing our largest-ever creative retainer. This nomination is thoroughly deserved and gives us real momentum as we expand our apprenticeship pathway. From September, we’ll be partnering with Northampton College to welcome T-Level students into the business.”

Beyond her role at Zinc, Abigail has become an advocate for apprenticeships, attending the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network conference in London and returning to her former school to speak with Year 12 students about degree apprenticeship opportunities she feels were under-promoted during her own education.

Abigail said: “I’m still processing the news. What I love about Zinc is the variety – from designing brochures for major London property firms to contributing to new AI products. To be shortlisted in my first year here, while working towards my degree, means a great deal.”

Organised by Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, the awards will take place on Friday 11 September 2026 at Sywell Aerodrome, with Wilson Browne Solicitors as headline sponsor.

Headquartered in Little Houghton, Northamptonshire, Zinc Digital is an award-winning full-service digital agency delivering web development, eCommerce, SEO, PPC, paid social, creative and bespoke software solutions for more than 150 clients each year.

For more information, visit https://www.zinc.digital/