Bedford-based digital growth agency crdone has been confirmed as a finalist at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2026, earning shortlisting in both the Business of the Year (Less Than 50 Employees) and the High Growth Business of the Year categories.
This recognition follows a year in which the agency has performed strongly, growing its business while staying firmly focused on helping clients achieve results they can actually quantify.
crdone, which was founded by Carl Darnell, has built its name on a simple but effective principle: it is not the volume of marketing activity that matters, but how well it performs. The agency partners closely with its clients to create clear and actionable strategies, test activity on a continual basis, and ensure that spending is concentrated on what consistently delivers results.
The dual shortlisting is a reflection of the agency’s commercial progress and the practical effectiveness of its approach. Over the last year, crdone has continued to develop and refine its model for delivering digital growth, with an emphasis on being straightforward with clients, setting expectations that are grounded in reality, and working continuously to improve performance over time.
The SME Bedfordshire Business Awards, a programme run by the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, are designed to celebrate businesses across the county that have shown strong results, thoughtful growth, and a meaningful contribution to the Bedfordshire economy. Selection as a finalist is based on what businesses have genuinely delivered during the past twelve months.
Being named among the finalists places crdone within a distinguished group of local businesses recognised for the progress they have achieved and the value they bring to the county’s commercial landscape.
Carl Darnell, Founder of crdone, said: “It’s been a strong year for us, but more importantly for our clients. We’ve focused on delivering better outcomes, not just more activity, and that’s what has driven our growth. We test. We measure. We learn. We adapt. Being recognised in both categories is a great result for the team.”
All category winners will be announced at the awards evening on Thursday, 18 June 2026 at The Marquee Bedford, where the event will serve as a celebration of the talent and drive found in businesses throughout the region.
