BBEA Book of Excellence by bbea

Headline Sponsor

Category Sponsors & Event Partners

Sarah Austin

Welcome

A Very Warm Welcome to the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards

Well, here we are again, another incredible year of innovation, determination and sheer British brilliance. Each time I stand before this extraordinary community, I’m reminded that business is far more than numbers on a balance sheet. It’s people. It’s purpose. It’s passion.

2025 has been a year that tested and inspired in equal measure. From navigating global shifts to harnessing transformative technologies, our business leaders have continued to rise, adapt and thrive. You’ve not only weathered storms, but found ways to build stronger ships, and that to me, is the very essence of excellence.

As the world embraces a new era of digital evolution and sustainability, British businesses once again stand at the forefront of progress — inventive, resilient, and unafraid to lead with heart. Like our Lionesses and Red Roses on the world stage, you’ve shown that true success lies not just in winning, but in the courage to show up, to evolve, and to lift others as you climb.

Tonight, we celebrate you - the innovators, the entrepreneurs, the changemakers. Every finalist, entrant and winner has contributed to the tapestry of UK enterprise that keeps our economy vibrant and our communities thriving. To our exceptional judges and advisory board, thank you for your wisdom, integrity and dedication. And to our partners, in particular Lloyds, the champions who make this celebration possible - your continued support ensures that excellence never goes unnoticed.

As I look around this room, I see the future, not as something distant, but as something being built right here, right now, by all of you.

Let’s continue to celebrate success, encourage ambition, and remind the world that British business remains the gold standard of ingenuity and inspiration.

Please join me in congratulating our finalists and winners and in toasting another unforgettable year of excellence.

With immense pride and gratitude,

Sarah Austin Founder & Director, Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards

Elyn Corfield

A warm welcome from Lloyds

We come together this evening to recognise the incredible talent from across the UK business landscape; from start-ups led by pioneering entrepreneurs through to FTSE-sized organisations, across a vast array of sectors.

It’s important that we celebrate business success stories and the role that this talent and ambition is playing in driving our economy. This evening, we are especially recognising the exciting ways that businesses are innovating, adapting and seizing new opportunities.

We are proud to be by the side of British business, supporting 1 million UK businesses with leading digital and relationship banking services, as they start up, grow and thrive.

Congratulations and good luck to all of our finalists this evening. This country needs businesses to thrive, with people like you, your drive, your energy, your passion and your courage. To get to this stage, you are among the elite of British business. Winner or finalist, you should all be very proud of your achievements.

Elyn Corfield CEO, Business and Commercial Banking, Lloyds

Dress Code

This event is Black Tie

We are delighted to be supporting Crisis and we will be fundraising on the evening through a charity auction.

STARTER

confit chicken , parsley & tarragon terrine served with fig chutney , picked shallots , mustard cress

MAIN COURSE DESSERT

braised jacob ’ s ladder , herb mustard crumb served with bubble & squeak , wilted spinach , vichy carrot , port wine sauce

blood orange torte served with passionfruit cremeux , blood orange coulis

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in contact with any member of the team (Page 153)

Allyson Stewart-Allen

As a founding member of the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards, this has been one of the most inspiring and satisfying roles of my career.

Our 2025 applicants and finalists all share the qualities which make them worth celebrating: persistence in the face of setbacks, creativity, innovation and not surprisingly, grit.

As a female founder of my own consulting business, I recognise in the finalists I’ve been lucky to meet this year how they have applied all of these qualities in order to create and grow successful enterprises which, given those from prior years, are most likely to graduate to London Stock Exchange listings and significant exports across the world.

These worthy SMEs do a great service not just to the wide-ranging stakeholders they support – they also underpin Brand Britain’s reputation as flag bearers for what makes the country a successful birthplace for world-class inventions.

My thanks go to Sarah Austin and her hard-working team for creating this recognition and firmly cementing the UK’s role as a leader in global business. Being part of this mission reflects one of my core beliefs: that celebrating British business success is important and should be done as often as possible.

Allyson Stewart-Allen CEO, International Marketing Partners

It was so inspiring to welcome the finalists and judges to Ten Trinity Square this year and to witness firsthand the incredible talent, innovation, and determination driving UK businesses forward. It’s been a privilege to support the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards as the official venue sponsor, creating a space where outstanding businesses can connect, share their stories, and truly shine”

GEORGIA CLARK

Club Sales and Membership Manager

TEN TRINITY SQUARE

Thank you to our judges

Segun Akinwoleola Founder The Gym Kitchen

Sid Baveja Vice President Too Good to Go

Tom Bohills Founder Founders Law

Rob Burgess Editor Head for Points

Tariq Attia CEO IW Capital

Fergus Bell Founder Fathm

Leah Boxell Founder Enablists

Natalie Calvert Founder HuddleCX CX-EX Leadership Strategist & Advisor

Liz Barclay IoD Small Business and Entrepreneurship lead Institute of Directors

Safiyah Bennington Brand & Talent Director Connect MGT

Caroline Bright Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer Ricoh Europe

Angelina Cannizaro Deputy Director Small Business Growth Department for Business & Trade

Nick Bates Leading Chair Vistage

Varun Bhanot Co-Founder & CEO Magic AI

Dan Brough Managing Director, COO Lloyds

Shehzad Choudhary Midlands UK Director International Trade Department for Business & Trade

Declan Curry Business Commentator LBC News

Simon Devonshire OBE Entrepreneur, Investor, Non-Exec Director, Chair. OBE

Jez Filley Head of Audit & Accounting Blick Rothenberg

Hamish Hamilton Chair of Private Advisory Boards Vistage

Markus Hoevekamp Founder & CEO Adson

Saira Demmer CEO SF Recruitment

Amanda Dorel Regional Director Lloyds

Katerina Garyfalou COO Clean Planet Technologies

Paul Hemsley Digital Transformation, Cash Management & Payments Lloyds

John Howie Co-Founder YU Move

Natasha Devon Campaigner, Author and Presenter LBC

Rebecca Drew Managing Director Vistage UK&I

Julie Devonshire Director Kings College London

Alex Evans Managing Director Talint

Victoria Gee Chair Vistage

Emma Jane Hendry Chair of Women BBC

Steve Hyde Founder 360xec

Sabby Gill CEO Dext

David Higgins Non Executive Director Levy Global

Amanda Jobbins CCO Vodafone Business

Charlotte Keenan Managing Director Goldman Sacks

Nik Kotecha Founder and Chairman RandalSun Capital

Dr Heather Melville OBE Partner Stork & May

Yvonne Nagawa Founding Partner & COO Black Seed Ventures

Naomi Kerbel Director SEC Newgate

Alex Leader Head of SME Delivery City of London Corporation

Sophie Milliken MBE CEO Moja

Malli Kini Partner Blick Rothenberg

Dax Lovegrove Sustainability / ESG Advisor Planet Positive

Pro. Paul Morrison UK&I Education & Non-Profit Lead Zoom

Sajag Patel Co-Founder Sollasa Drink

Miles Nolan Director MGN Advisory

Viv Paxinos Former CEO Allbright & Everywoman

Chris Norman CEO & Founder Good Agency

Sara-Louise Porter Head of Business Development Aquis Stock Exchange

Beth Knight Sustainability Leader Lloyds

Andrew McCullogh Head of Environmental Sustainability Lloyds

Denise Myers Founder Evenfield Careers

Donna O Toole Managing Director August Awards

Mahmood Ramji Partner & Head of Corporate Audit Blick Rothenberg

Claudine Reid Chair of Advisory Committee Lloyds

Andre Spence Founder Global Purpose Enterprise

Liza Tullidge CEO & Founder Maven & Co

Andy Webb Founder Connectopia

Nick Winters Partner Blick Rothenberg

Athos Rushovich Director Vitality

Allyson Stewart - Allen CEO International Marketing Partners

Katherine Waller Co-Founder Six Degrees

Xavier White Advisory Board Member Unloc

Ollie Saiman Co-Founder Six Degrees

Annisha Taylor, Group Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Ofcom

Adam Walsh CEO John Good Group

Jon Wilcox Head of Commercial Intermediaries Lloyds

Abdul Shill Co-Founder & Director, Sahan Cares

Ele Theochari R&D Tax Partner Blick Rothenberg

Simon Walsh Chair Vistage

Carl Williamson Director, SME & Trade Finance & Co-Head of Business Group UKEF

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Serving as Head Judge for the Customer Loyalty Award at this year’s British Business Excellence Awards—alongside an exceptional panel of judges—reinforced what truly drives competitive advantage. Authenticity isn’t negotiable. The winning organisations didn’t just state their mission—they lived it. Every decision, every interaction, every moment of truth reflected purpose in action. Strategic leadership drives growth. The standout entries treated loyalty as a growth engine, not a soft metric. Leaders owned retention and advocacy as deliberate strategies—measuring what matters, investing in relationships at scale, and building cultures where empowered teams deliver when it counts. Customer-centricity in the AI era. The best understand that the customer is king—but the employee is queen. As AI handles routine interactions, they’ve equipped their people to own the emotionally complex, high-stakes moments where loyalty is won or lost—and businesses thrive. Congratulations to all finalists. You’ve set the benchmark”

NATALIE CALVERT Founder HuddleCX

Head Judge

The Customer Loyalty Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Do you provide an outstanding service, with market leading feedback scores and reviews to prove it? Have you built long-term client relationships? Do you have high levels of repeat or referral business? Are you continually adapting or innovating to gain a competitive edge?

Customer loyalty is the strongest foundation for growth and resilience, enabling businesses to prosper in all market conditions. This award celebrates businesses who can demonstrate the highest levels of customer loyalty, engagement, and experience.

tml Partners

www.tmlpartners.com

tml Partners is a global executive search firm specialising exclusively in senior marketing and commercial appointments. We support organisations at moments of transformation—whether scaling, restructuring or preparing for investment—by appointing leaders who deliver long-term impact. We were the first specialist exec search firm to become B Corp Certified.

SAR Computing www.sarcomputing.com

SAR Computing is a leading IT solutions provider, delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology services. Specialising in cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and managed IT support, we empower businesses to grow and succeed. Our client-focused approach, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence set us apart in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

Nomical

www.nomical.com

Nomical is a family-run IT services provider based in Manchester, supporting over 1,000 sites across the UK. For nearly two decades, we’ve delivered customer-centric, tailored services and smart, sustainable innovation—helping organisations of all sizes stay connected, secure, and future-ready through trusted partnerships and long-term support.

Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians

www.bainbridgebespokeopticians.co.uk

Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians is a family run independent business providing exceptional eyecare and eyewear to the community for over forty years. We are energetic and passionate about delivering a personalised ‘celebrity’ service that turns customers into fans. Specialists in niche products and elevated experience for those who want the best.

Behavet

www.beha.vet

Behavet is an online global pet behaviour clinic that connects pet parents with an expert team of veterinarian behaviourists, all with advanced qualifications. They provide tailor-made behaviour transformation plans to 600+ clients monthly, following a remote consultation. Their exceptional service is trusted by 300+ veterinary practices and 7,000+ referring professionals.

Waterstream

www.waterstream.co.uk

Waterstream is an award-winning market leader for luxury carbon-ceramic swimming pools. We provide bespoke, precisionengineered solutions with comprehensive services from design and build to maintenance. As the exclusive UK Compass Pools distributor, Waterstream delivers innovative, efficient, and customer-centric excellence, creating beautiful pools for discerning clients.

Hospitality Finder

www.hospitalityfinder.co.uk

Founded in 2004, Hospitality Finder offers individual and corporate hospitality packages for a variety of sporting and music events. An ambitious, growing business intent on providing personal, attentive service and memorable experiences, we operate across the UK.

Ski Astons

www.skiastons.co.uk

A family owned/operated business with 45 years experience in the field of school travel. The company specialises in bespoke school skiing packages with a view to developing resilience through improved self efficacy, heightened esteem & sense of belonging. Broadening horizons through the belief system – YOU CAN, JUST BELIEVE

Travel Counsellors

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk

Travel Counsellors is a global community of trusted travel experts who go the extra mile to craft truly personal, premium experiences. Combining the power of technology with genuine care, we create seamless journeys, thoughtful surprises and lasting memories — building relationships that turn one trip into a lifetime of loyalty.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Charles Taylor Assistance

www.charlestaylor.com

Charles Taylor Assistance has partnered with major travel insurers for over 50 years to provide their customers with claims, medical and security assistance, and travel risk management. Part of the Charles Taylor Group, which provides services and technology solutions for international insurers, we’re supported by offices in over 30 countries.

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I had the privilege of judging this category for the second year running and let me tell you - judging was not easy. Every shortlisted business brought passion, resilience, and innovation to the table. Choosing between them felt a bit like asking a parent to pick a favourite child… only harder (and with fewer tantrums!). What really stood out was how these family businesses are thriving and adapting in an economic climate that has been anything but forgiving. The stories of perseverance, creativity and community impact were inspiring, and reminded us why family businesses remain the backbone of the UK economy”

MALLI KINI Partner

Head Judge

The Family Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Family businesses champion economic growth, social impact and employer values. There are over 5m family firms in the UK, employing more than 14m people and contributed 67% of GDP in 2023 (Institute of Family Businesses / VisualCapitalist).

Large or small, the best family businesses have a long-term vision aligned to legacy, integrity and values with loyal employees and inclusive leadership.

This award celebrates family businesses that are exemplary employers, growing sustainably, delivering profit with purpose and a positive impact on their communities.

Aykroyd & Sons

www.aykroyds.shop

A leading name in character licensing, a reputation we’ve built through years of dedication and innovation. We have developed strong partnerships with a wide range of renowned international licensing organisations and brands. These partnerships have allowed us to design and manufacture an extensive and innovative range of garments.

The Workplace Depot

www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk

The Workplace Depot, a family-owned, 2 generation eCommerce retail business, established over 30 years ago, specialises in industrial, office, premises and safety products to both B2B and B2C markets. With an expanding 20,000 product range and market leading customer-centric website, they now attract an impressive 250,000 monthly visitors.

The Pet Vet

www.thepetvet.co.uk

The Pet Vet is the largest, independent, family-owned veterinary group with a nationwide presence. Established by Founder & Chairman Dr Rob Jones MRCVS in 2011, The Pet Vet’s purpose is to create a thriving environment for colleagues and in doing so, delivering the highest quality veterinary care and customer service.

DBSJ

www.dbsj.co.uk

DBSJ Group a family owned company, operating in the construction sector. Working collaboratively with clients, professional teams and supply chain their mission is to “Create Exceptional Interiors, together” Placed 20th in The Sunday Times Hundred and Fit Out Contractor of the Year by Construction News, the business continues to exceed

Inntel

www.inntel.co.uk

Inntel is a leading independent travel, meetings, and events management company. With more than 40 years of experience, innovative technology, and a people-first approach, Inntel delivers bespoke solutions that simplify business travel. From policy planning to traveller care, Inntel enables organisations to meet, travel, and rest safely, cost-effectively and sustainably.

London Box Sash Windows

www.londonboxsash.com

Family-run manufacturer of premium timber sash windows, proudly based in London. We combine traditional craftsmanship with modern performance to restore architectural beauty and heritage. Committed to quality, sustainability, and local employment, we’ve built a trusted reputation through generations of hands-on dedication and pride in every window we make.

Warburtons

www.warburtons.co.uk

Established in 1876, 5th generation family business Warburtons is the UK’s largest bakery brand. Warburtons offers an extensive range of over 70 products, producing more than 17 million items each week across its 11 bakeries. These products are delivered fresh to over 18,500 stores daily via 18 distribution sites.

The Traffic Group

www.traffic.group

The Traffic Group is a global leader in traffic control technology, specialising in detection systems and ANPR cameras. Comprising AGD Systems, MAV Systems, and Traffic Group Signals, we innovate through R&D and advanced manufacturing to deliver reliable, future-ready solutions that enhance mobility, safety, and sustainability worldwide.

Palace Chemicals is a family-owned independent manufacturer of tiling, building and construction products founded in Liverpool in 1978. The company produces over 300 formulations in total and its extensive tiling range includes preparation and aftercare products, as well as ready-mixed and cement-based adhesives and grouts for internal and external use.

Tulleys

Tulleys Farm is the UK’s leading farm-based entertainment venue that’s been in the Beare family for four generations. We run innovative, iconic seasonal events like Shocktober Fest - Europe’s largest screampark, with thousands of visitors returning each year. We’re constantly evolving, introducing trailblazing new events including Tulip Fest in 2025.

This is my second year judging the Sustainable Business category and it’s been fantastic to talk to businesses from across the UK and in very different sectors. The common factors across each finalist have been the deep embedding of sustainability and innovation within business strategy, and it is inspiring to see this focus and passion translate into business growth and competitive advantage. Our judges were brilliant again and I enjoyed learning from each of them”

ANDREW MCCULLOGH Head of Environmental Sustainability, Business & Commercial Banking LLOYDS

Head Judge

The Lloyds Sustainable Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Has your organisation embedded sustainability, social and environmental impact into your strategic decision-making, operational activity and business planning?

Is sustainability a key part of how you measure your overall success? How are you driving this in your supply chain and local community?

Open to private, public and third sector organisations, including social enterprises and B Corps, this award recognises those demonstrating the commercial case for a sustainable and ethical approach.

This award highlights the role of organisations of all sizes in addressing social, economic, environmental and ethical challenges and achieving commercial success.

The Sustainable Business of the Year will recognise those organisations that have achieved meaningful and sustainable impact through partnership, investment, pro-bono work or employee led initiatives.

Cambridge University Press

& Assessment

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a world leader in assessment, education, research and academic publishing. We are part of the University of Cambridge and share its mission ‘to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence’.

Kin & Cloth

www.kinandcloth.com

Kin & Cloth is a design-led children’s clothing label that promotes a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. We make high-quality clothes from natural and recycled fabrics, find creative ways to use waste textiles, and provide community ‘Learn to Create’ workshops teaching children the value of making and mending for themselves.

DP World

www.dpworld.com

At DP World, we deliver end-to-end, sustainable logistics solutions via our UK deep-sea ports and Freeport access. Our portcentric model enables faster, cost-effective, and reliable supply chains, supported by smart technology, warehousing, and expert services which drives efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance across the UK and wider international markets..

Envisage Dental UK

www.envisage-dental.co.uk

Envisage Dental UK Ltd is a purpose-driven dental group championing sustainable, patient-focused care. With 75+ clinics nationwide, we are the UK’s first B Corp certified dental group, combining clinical excellence, ethical leadership, and environmental responsibility to shape the future of dentistry — for people, communities, and the planet.

Fluechem

www.fluechem.com

Fluechem is a UK based company which specialises in the supply and delivery of bespoke marine emission and compliance chemicals, to more than 200 ports in 50 countries. The product line ranges from blending equipment systems to direct deliveries of finished compositions to marine vessels as a single integrated solution.

Forster Communications

www.forster.co.uk

Forster Communications delivers specialist sustainability PR services, using the power of communications to protect and improve lives. A founding UK B Corp we have exemplary experience in creating high impact communications strategies with relevant messages and engaging activation to turn sustainability ambitions into action.

Logika Group

www.logikaconsultants.co.uk

Logika Group is a comprehensive environmental consultancy comprising four sister companies: Air Quality Consultants, Noise Consultants, Logika Consultants, and Logika Europe. Specialising in everything from biodiversity and green infrastructure to environmental policy and beyond, its 100+ experts lead public and private projects with science-backed, multidisciplinary strategies, driving sustainable, people-and-planet-first outcomes.

Pavegen

www.pavegen.com

Pavegen is a technology company specialising in kinetic energy solutions that harness the power of footsteps to create sustainable energy. With a mission to revolutionise how people engage with their surroundings. Deployed 300+ times in 45 countries, from public spaces to major events, driving positive environmental impact and interactive experiences.

Tailored Lifestyle Group

www.buildfifty5.com/buildfifty5living

Tailored Lifestyle Group build sustainably driven by a purpose. They deliver affordable homes by uniting land, build and management under one accountable method. Every decision starts with the end in mind: lasting sustainability for people, place and planet. Achieved by embedding care, efficiency and community into homes that quietly endure.

www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk

Vita Health Group is a leading private UK healthcare provider. In-line with our company vision of ‘Making people better’, we continually develop our range of high-quality physical and mental health services to provide holistic, person centred support to employers, insurers, the NHS and private patients.

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Judging the Dext Business Enabler of the Year Award was a fantastic opportunity to experience first-hand the innovation, passion, and determination that define these outstanding businesses. The wealth of exceptional entries, and the creativity and impact demonstrated by each finalist were truly inspiring. It was a pleasure to play a role in recognising their achievements, and I congratulate all of the finalists and winners; your success is a testament to the strength and vision within the business community”

SABBY GILL CEO DEXT

Head Judge

The Dext Business Enabler of the Year Award



CATEGORY CRITERIA

Do you provide an outstanding service, solution or product for your customers? Do you consult businesses to enable their growth or improve their productivity? Has your company given your clients a competitive advantage that has enabled them to attract or retain their own customers?

This award celebrates businesses who help their customers to increase sales, profitability or performance through a competitive advantage, recognising the impact of ‘enablers’ that offer value beyond products, solutions and services.

Foothold America

www.footholdamerica.com

Foothold America enables UK and international businesses to thrive in the US by delivering innovative, client-focused people and business solutions that empower teams and accelerate growth. Our expertise enables clients to boost performance and increase profitability, unlocking their full potential in a dynamic global market..

Imaginera

www.imaginera.co.uk

Imaginera, a UK-based tech company, specialising in software for the re/insurance and ILS sectors. Founded in 2013, it evolved into a product-led enterprise with its Orca platform, enhancing efficiency and customer service. Values-driven, it invests in talent development, ensuring high engagement and responsible scaling.

Ebury Partners UK

www.ebury.com/en-gb

Ebury is the leading payments specialist that helps smalland medium-sized businesses (SMEs) operate and grow internationally. It is a global fintech company headquartered in the UK, offering a comprehensive suite of services to enable businesses to make and collect cross-border payments, manage currency risk, and access business lending.

WRS

www.wrssystems.co.uk

WRS builds fast, scalable, and fully integrated POS systems (Point Of Sale) that fit around your business, not the other way around. A solution connecting payments, reporting and third-party tools without hassle, opening up new possibilities and better supporting businesses as they grow.

Embridge Consulting

www.embridgeconsulting.com

Embridge Consulting is a people-first business transformation consultancy, empowering organisations through finance and HR transformation with its market-leading Business Transformation as a Service. By combining deep sector expertise with innovative technology partnerships and human-focussed change strategies, it delivers continuous, impactful transformation across the public sector, non-profits and professional services organisations.

Kazient Privacy Experts & the Privacy Pros Academy

www.kazient.co.uk

Kazient and the Privacy Pros Academy, led by Jamal Ahmed, empower individuals and businesses globally to master privacy and AI governance. Through practical training, ethical guidance, and industry-leading resources, they transform complex regulations into competitive advantage, fostering career breakthroughs and trusted innovation across diverse industries and cultures.

Wharton Business Consulting

www.whartonbc.co.uk

Wharton Business Consulting is a specialist integration consultancy, working with corporates & business leaders to maximise value creation by aligning and optimising their workforce structures, performance, leadership & culture. Recognised for being insight driven, client outcome obsessed with agile, diverse & nimble experts focused on delivering sustainable results.

www.justpark.com

JustPark is reshaping the parking industry with faster, smarter solutions for drivers and destinations. We help drivers find, book and pay for parking, whether it’s at a venue, on the street or a private driveway. For operating partners, we empower them to deliver best-in-class parking management services.

Limelight Consulting

Limelight Consulting specialise in SAP-based business transformation. We ensure complex change programmes land expediently and ‘safely’ in a business, delivering the benefits they promise whilst managing key areas of risk. Founded in 2019, we leverage proprietary fixed price accelerators with an overarching goal of restoring trust in high-end business transformation.

Aim (Data Solutions) is a UK-based software solution provider that has developed an innovative digital platform supporting data governance, automation, work management, portals and using latest technologies, applied in ethical and sustainable ways. This solution offers innovative AI technologies that enable customers in all sectors to become successful data-led organisations..

Head Judge

This year marked my sixth year of judging the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards. Whilst it’s always a wonderful, enriching experience to learn about the business success that’s going on across our country, this year offered something even more. Conflict, challenges and negativity fill our news feeds every day, but this year the finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year, gave the judges hope. Every finalist was solving problems, doing things differently, acting with positivity and energy, progressing and scaling commercially for their teams and stakeholders. Each pitch inspired the panel in different ways. Choosing is always hard and this year was no exception. Congratulations to all of the finalists and good luck”

JULIE DEVONSHIRE Director of the Entrepreneurship Institute KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Are you an inspiring and visionary founder who has proved a concept, built a new business model or has a track record of successfully scaling businesses?

Have you created value for your team, your investors or the wider community? Why are you an exemplary leader and what can the wider entrepreneurial community learn from your philosophy and approach?

Focusing on the personal contribution of a dynamic leader, this Award recognises an enterprising individual who has achieved sustained growth and strong financial performance by building an engaged and productive team with a culture of innovation and resilience, effective management and inspirational leadership.

Garreth Wood

KidsOR

www.kidsor.org

Founded by entrepreneur, Garreth Wood, Kids Operating Room is a global health charity that installs child-friendly operating rooms in low-resource hospitals. Founded in 2018, it aims to provide safe surgery for children by delivering equipment, training local teams, and improving pediatric infrastructure across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Christian Lyons

Communitas Clinics

www.communitasclinics.nhs.uk

Christian Lyons leads award-winning businesses in healthcare, aesthetics, and hospitality. From transforming NHS services to delivering inclusive skincare and running top-rated alpine venues, his companies prioritise innovation, access, and impact. With over 500 employees, they serve millions and exemplify how purposedriven entrepreneurship can change lives across sectors.

Jack Latus

Latus Group

www.latusgroup.co.uk

Latus is transforming occupational health from a compliance tick-box to a strategic force for business performance. Founded by Jack Latus in 2017, the company has achieved 90% growth, pioneered remote health innovation, and supports 4,000+ clients. With purpose-led leadership and cutting-edge tech, Latus is reshaping how the world heals..

Nataliya Bilchenko

LUXPAU SP. Z O.O

www.luxpau.com

LUXPAU is a fast-growing international trading company specializing in frozen fruits, berries, and vegetables. Operating across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, it delivers highquality products through efficient supply chains. Known for agility, innovation, and reliability, LUXPAU combines commercial strategy with resilient logistics to scale global food trade.

Ian Barker

BFY Group

www.bfygroup.co.uk

BFY Group is Europe’s fastest-growing management consultancy, trusted by leading energy and utilities organisations, as well as investors supporting the sector. Founded in 2004 by Ian Barker, this employee-owned Nottingham firm supports clients nationwide, delivering practical solutions to their toughest challenges and biggest opportunities.

Andrew Hulbert

Pareto FM www.paretofm.com

Pareto FM is a specialist facilities management provider delivering tailored hard services across the UK and Europe. Focused on quality, agility and people-first service, Pareto partners with clients to maintain and manage buildings, ensuring compliance, safety, and operational excellence through innovative, technology-led and ethical delivery models.

Phil Anderton

ADHD 360

www.adhd-360.com

ADHD 360 was founded to satisfy an unmet need for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Now the largest specialist clinic of its kind, with 430 staff members, assessing over 2,600 new patients a month, ‘360 changes people’s lives at scale, day in and day out.

Joseph Black & Oliver Jacobs

UniTaskr

www.unitaskr.com

UniTaskr is a fast-growing tech platform that is revolutionizing the gig economy by helping students find flexible work opportunities, while enabling companies to outsource tasks efficiently.Ranked as Apple’s #1 business app, UniTaskr boasts a thriving ecosystem, with a workforce of 350,000 skilled, trusted and verified students.

Funding Alternative Group www.fundingalternative.co.uk

Funding Alternative Group [FAG] is a fintech lender for UK SMEs often overlooked by mainstream banks. Compressed Air Centre [CAC] is provides reliable maintenance and bespoke compressed air solutions that enhance productivity and reduce operational costs for UK manufacturing and industrial businesses.

Robin Heap

Zest

www.zest.uk.com

Zest is a leading UK investor-operator of public EV charging, making electric travel accessible for all. A certified B Corporation, we combine rapid growth with strong social and environmental values, installing over 1,700 charge points since 2021 through partnerships with local authorities and real estate owners.

Helen Cannon

ISON Group

www.isontravel.com

An award-winning Global Travel Management Company providing travel, event and concierge services to large corporations, SME’s and private individuals in the public and private sector. This includes booking air, hotel and ground services with 24/7 continuous support. Back to Contents

Empowering Mid-Market Success

As a business that is passionately focused on the mid-market, it is fantastic to be able to sponsor the new Mid-Market Growth Business of the Year award and a brilliant way for Blick Rothenberg to engage with the dynamic, innovative and fast-growth businesses that underpin the UK economy. We’re proud to once again be partnering with the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards and recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements in this vital sector Jez

Filley, Head of Audit & Accounting

Blick Rothenberg are committed to helping mid-market companies achieve their long-term goals through tailored advice and proactive support. We understand the challenges and opportunities faced by mid-market companies and our dedicated team offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support your growth and success.

We had a fantastic day judging the Blick Rothenberg MidMarket Growth Business of the Year Award. The businesses represented covered a wide spectrum of products and services and at different stages of their evolution. All demonstrated real passion for what they had achieved and for the next stage of their journey either as relatively new operations or those who had adapted and changed over many decades. The growth that they had demonstrated was collectively phenomenal. I look forward to seeing them again at the awards dinner”

JEZ FILLEY Head of Audit & Assurance

BLICK ROTHENBERG

Head Judge

The Blick Rothenberg MidMarket Growth Business of the Year Award



CATEGORY CRITERIA

Britain’s mid-market businesses make up just 0.5% of UK companies but they generate over a quarter of national turnover and have posted 13 successive months of growth (NatWest UK Business Growth Tracker, Jan 2025).

Has your business delivered exceptional customer service, impactful innovation, and an investment in people with purpose to increase sales, profitability, client value or market share over the last 2 years?

This award recognises mid-market businesses achieving growth across a range of metrics and a robust plan to deliver sustained financial success and impact.

Lucy Group

www.lucygroup.com

Lucy Group is an international group committed to making the engineered environment sustainable. The group advances the transition to a carbon-free world with infrastructure that enables renewable energy and smart cities. Products include electric switchgear, grid management systems, advanced street lighting controls, electric vehicle charging solutions, and safety fuses.

Penta Consulting www.pentaconsulting.com

Penta Consulting delivers bespoke Technology Resource Solutions to the global ICT industry. With 12 international offices, we support 1,000+ technical resources across 80+ countries. Specialising in digital transformation, cloud, and AI, our core services include Professional Services, Managed Solutions, and Managed Resource Solutions for leading global technology brands.

UBDS Digital www.ubdsdigital.com

UBDS Digital partners with organisations through every stage of the digital lifecycle—designing, delivering, managing and securing platforms while driving continuous improvement, innovation and agility. Our cloud, cyber-security and modern network expertise delivers high-impact, scalable solutions that boost efficiency, resilience and sustained growth, enabling clients to achieve strategic outcomes with confidence.

Ebury Partners UK

www.ebury.com/en-gb

Realise Training Group

www.realisetraining.com

Realise Training Group is a market-leading training solutions provider which supports more than 16,500 learners and thousands of employers across the UK every year. With more than 500 employees, Realise delivers a wide range of bespoke training solutions in critical infrastructure sectors including early years and health and social care.

Intercity Technology

www.intercity.technology

At Intercity, we help organisations do more with technology built around people. Whether it’s communications, managed IT, Microsoft or cloud & security, our award-winning managed services deliver solutions that help businesses secure, perform and scale. Independently owned and purpose-driven, we believe doing more starts with partnership, trust and real-world.

Ancient & Brave

www.ancientandbrave.com

We’re a mission-driven wellness brand offering award-winning collagen, blends, and supplements. We blend ancient wisdom and brave innovation to support women’s health, through simple, daily rituals. As a female-founded business, our vision is to lead the industry in holistic wellbeing, sustainability, and female-focused innovation worldwide.

Harlech Foodservice

www.harlech.co.uk

Harlech Foodservice has seen rapid expansion since celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, increasing its reach across Wales and the North West of England and the West Midlands creating 75 new jobs in the last 12 months and boosting sales from £38.4 million to a new high of £51.6 million.

gunnercooke is a fast-growing global professional services firm that provides legal, commercial, and strategic advice. The firm has 600 advisors with expertise covering some of the most interesting emerging disciplines such as charity, crypto, sports, ESG and competition law. The firm has a charitable foundation and a community bookshop.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Judging the Scale-Up Business of the Year category was an inspiring deep dive into the future of British enterprise. The calibre of ambition, innovation, and resilience shown by each finalist was truly world-class. These businesses aren’t just growing, they’re transforming industries, creating meaningful jobs, and putting British brilliance on the global stage. It was a privilege to witness their journeys, and a tough task to choose between such exceptional stories of scale. The energy and purpose behind each business left me genuinely excited to see what comes next”

DONNA O’TOOLE Managing Director

AUGUST

AWARDS

Head Judge

The Scale Up Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

UK scale-ups generate £1.3trn in revenues and 8% of SME employment, despite representing less than 1% of businesses, according to the Scale-Up Institute.

If you have achieved average annualised growth of at least 20% over the last three years, and exceeded expectations over the last 18 months, you deserve the recognition of your peers.

Has your business entered a new phase of growth, with a substantial increase in sales, headcount, profitability, market share or geographical expansion in recent years?

This award recognises scaling businesses that are demonstrating the highest levels of growth and a robust plan to deliver sustained financial success.

Kingdom Tea Brokers

www.kingdomteabrokers.com

Founded in 2014 in Somerset, Kingdom TM Ltd is a dynamic tea & coffee packing facility specialising in the production of tea & coffee bags for retail and hospitality alike. With a dedicated team of just 10 employees, we combine cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and innovation to deliver exceptional products.

Macbrook Gas

www.macbrookgas.co.uk

Macbrook Gas Ltd exemplifies growth, innovation, and excellence. From humble beginnings as a two-man heating company, we’ve grown into a multimillion-pound enterprise, employing nearly 100 skilled professionals. With our own training centre, we’re committed to renewable heating, upskilling our team, and driving forward cutting-edge solutions to meet future energy needs.

Rapid Energy

www.rapidenergy.co.uk

Rapid Energy, established in February 2020, is a UK-based provider of temporary heating and cooling solutions. Specialising in designing and manufacturing high-efficiency equipment for commercial and industrial sectors, the company offers nationwide 24/7 services, emphasising customer-centricity and innovation.

Penta Consulting

www.pentaconsulting.com

Modern World Business Solutions

www.mwbsolutions.co.uk

Modern World Business Solutions gives SMEs freedom, transparency and choice over their Payments. Through our own award-winning software, partnerships with 12 Acquiring Banks and leading Hardware providers, we are proud to offer card payment solutions that genuinely work for our clients.

Rocksteady Music School

www.rocksteadymusicschool.com

Rocksteady Music School is the UK’s leading provider of in-school band lessons for primary age children. Our inclusive child-centred approach helps children find a sense of belonging through new friendships and a shared love for music, whilst boosting social skills, wellbeing and confidence..

ClickMechanic

www.clickmechanic.com

ClickMechanic is revolutionising car repairs in the UK, bringing trust, ease, and savings to a traditionally stressful experience. Our platform connects drivers with vetted mechanics who come to them, offering instant prices, transparent pricing, and peace of mind. It’s car care made simple, affordable, and convenient, wherever you are.

Kara Healthcare

www.karahealthcare.co.uk

An award-winning, family-run group of 10 care homes, Kara Healthcare delivers exceptional, person-centred care where residents feel safe, valued, and empowered. Care is our mission, passion, and promise. Every detail reflects our deep commitment to dignity, compassion, and celebrating life with love, pride, and purpose.

John Good Group

www.johngoodgroup.co.uk

John Good Group is a purpose-led group of businesses that puts people, planet, and performance at the heart of its operations. Operating since 1833, the sixth-generation family business has interests in Shipping, Business and Leisure Travel, Warehousing and Haulage, Property, and Business Services.

Tembo Money is a digital savings and mortgage business that helps first time buyers save for a buy a home. Tembo specialises in helping people who need to increase their affordability, using a range of family mortgage schemes.

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Building homes and communities

Breck Homes is a Northern housebuilder and a trusted partner to affordable housing providers across the region.

Together, we are investing in communities and people.

Since our formation in 2020, we have grown our active development pipeline to 2,000 homes planned or under construction.

From offices in Lancashire and Yorkshire, Breck is building a reputation for delivering quality, consistency and places that make a difference.

Thank you to Lloyds Banking for its ongoing support.

I had a brilliant time judging the Mid-Market Business of the Year Award, hearing from 10 amazing businesses who are doing fantastic things in their industries. There was huge diversity on show – with sectors from technology to construction and skincare to elite sports – and all of them are creating value for customers and shareholders. I was especially struck by the way these businesses focus relentlessly on solving customer problems, leverage data and AI to drive efficiency and excellence, invest in a brilliant team and culture, and foster strong stakeholder relationships. Congratulations to all the finalists, and to our winner!”

JON WILCOX Head of Intermediaries LLOYDS

Head Judge

The Lloyds MidMarket Business of the Year Award



CATEGORY CRITERIA

Have you consolidated your position in the market with clear competitive differentiation and a loyal client base? Have you exceeded growth expectations, stayed ahead of the curve, and cemented your position as a champion of your industry?

This award celebrates the contribution of Mid-Sized Businesses, or MSBs, to the UK economy in creating employment and value. Contenders for this award can demonstrate exceptional financial returns, sustained growth, effective customer and innovation strategies, and market prominence in their sector.

Harper Macleod

www.harpermacleod.co.uk

Harper Macleod is an award-winning full service Scottish law firm with specialists across all legal disciplines. It offers comprehensive legal services for businesses, individuals, families, the public sector, and the rural economy in Scotland, the UK, and beyond. Its client-focused approach ensures practical, forward-thinking solutions with lasting impact.

Books2Door

www.books2door.com

Books2Door is an established online book retailer, and is one that continues to thrive with sales of over £30m in 2025 - leveraging the commericial power of ecommerce in platforms (TikTok). In 2025, the company moved into new offices and recruited staff as it grows.

Lawsons Group

www.lawsons.co.uk

Lawsons Group is the largest independently owned timber, building and fencing merchant in the South East of England with branches stretching from Lincolnshire to the south coast. Following sustained organic growth and acquisition, Lawsons now includes multiple brands. The business has doubled in eight years to revenue of £165 million.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Tropic Skincare

www.tropicskincare.com

Tropic is a British independent beauty brand that sells clinically tested recipes that feed skin with nutritious natural ingredients, while protecting the planet and supporting global causes. Tropic is available through its website as well as via 20,000+ Ambassadors across the UK who earn commission.

Lincoln & York

www.lincolnandyork.com

Lincoln & York is one of the UK’s largest private label coffee roasters, roasting 10,000 tons of coffee annually from its roastery in North Lincolnshire. Now in its fourth decade, Lincoln & York is the driving force behind high street coffee brands, independent coffee shops and retail.

Breck Homes

www.breck.co.uk

Breck Homes is a Northwest House Building company led by an experienced and trusted team. Breck specialises in 100% affordable schemes, sourcing and purchasing a diverse range of development sites, be it brown or greenfield. Breck is expanding into Yorkshire whilst maintaining its well-established status in the Northwest.

RE:GEN Group

www.regen-group.co.uk

RE:GEN Group is a purpose-driven UK regeneration specialist enhancing lives through safe, sustainable social housing regeneration. From retrofit and refurbishment to new build projects, we form strategic partnerships to drive innovation and efficiency and maximise local impact. We’re redefining industry standards and challenging norms to shape a better future.

Olive Dining

www.olivedining.co.uk

Olive Dining is a family-run education specialist, which prides itself on supporting the physical and mental development of all students through nutritious food, while creating an inclusive experience where every member of the school community feels valued and represented.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

www.weare54.com

54 is a global sports and entertainment agency with nine offices across five regions. It partners with brands, investors, and sports bodies, offering services in Strategic Advisory, Asset Optimisation, and Activation & Engagement. The company thrives on innovation and challenges conventional thinking to unlock opportunities in sport.

Penta Consulting www.pentaconsulting.com

It was an absolute pleasure to judge the New Business of the Year category for my first judging experience. The calibre of new businesses we saw on the day was truly outstanding, each one demonstrating incredible innovation, passion, and resilience. It was so inspiring to hear the stories behind these ventures and to see the dedication, creativity, and ambition driving them forward. Every finalist should be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved so far, the standard was exceptionally high, and the competition was tough! Congratulations to the well deserved winner, and to all those who continue to make such a positive impact through their businesses”

TARIQ ATTIA CEO

IW CAPITAL

Head Judge

The New Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Has your new business demonstrated impressive growth and resilience over the last three years? Have you scaled your new business and proved the success of your product or service? Has your mission, plan and team impressed a lender or investor enough to help fund your growth – or have you grown organically with profitable sales?

If your high performing new business has been trading for fewer than three years and you have an inspirational success story to tell, this could be your award. New Business of the Year recognises companies that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and made an impact in their industry with great innovation, service and leadership.

Tell us how your concept and business plan has met and overcome challenges, how you have adapted to the demands of your market, shown significant innovation, built a strong team and why it has the foundations for continued success and further growth.

Routd Technology

www.routd.com

ROUTD Technology is a logistics tech company transforming lastmile delivery across the foodservice, education, and FMCG sectors. In under two years, we have become a trusted partner to public sector bodies, global brands, and local organisations, thanks to our combination of smart technology, operational innovation, and mission-driven focus delivery.

AMT Services Group

www.amtservicesgroup.co.uk

AMT Services Group offers expert property and facilities Services across the North West and surrounding areas. We provide efficient, compliant, and cost effective solutions including Reactive and Planned Maintenance, fire & security, grounds & waste, and Projects.

Gigasure Services

www.gigasure.com

Gigasure is an innovative travel-focused MGA insurtech supported by a cutting-edge Self-service app. We offer Travel Insurance, Backpackers, and Car Hire Excess insurance. At its core, our vision is to empower travellers with a more innovative, more responsive insurance platform that puts control in their hands.

Emma Youell Design

www.emmayouell.com

Emma Youell Design Ltd provides video editing and dynamic animation services. Bringing stories to life through high-quality motion graphics, video production and post-production services, with a strong focus on creativity and technical excellence, we deliver beautiful, engaging and educational content that can elevate brand messaging for any business.

SheMed

www.shemed.co.uk

SheMed is a female-founded digital health company revolutionising women’s healthcare through clinically guided, personalised weight-loss programmes. Combining medical rigour with compassionate care, SheMed uses mandatory blood screenings and expert oversight to prioritise safety, uncover hidden conditions, and empower thousands of UK women to take control of their health and wellbeing.

Trinity Bridge

www.trinitybridge.com

Trinity Bridge is an executive search firm specialising in hospitality, travel, and leisure. Operating globally with offices in London and Berlin, it builds leadership teams for listed, private, and privateequity-backed businesses – using its sector expertise, integritydriven approach and commitment to long-term partnerships to connect clients with exceptional talent..

Opulence

www.opulenceofengland.co.uk

Opulence redefines corporate hospitality through luxury, bespoke English wine experiences set in Kent’s award-winning vineyards. We enhance your client entertainment, team away days or corporate events with our unique blend of sophistication, meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering passion to celebrating the excellence of English wine.

Park Hall Hotel & Spa

www.parkhallhotel.com

Park Hall Hotel & Spa is a reimagined luxury resort offering lakeside stays, immersive wellness, inclusive dining, and cutting-edge entertainment. With 118 rooms, a signature restaurant, spa, Gamer X arcade, and event spaces for up to 700, we blend heritage with innovation, championing diversity and community in hospitality.

Blend Network

www.blendnetwork.com

Blend is a global membership community redefining leadership development for C-suite leaders. Founded on cross-industry and cross-function collaboration, it unites senior leaders beyond traditional silos. By celebrating cognitive diversity Blend empowers bold thinking, shared learning, and purposeful growth, redefining what leadership looks like in an era of rapid transformation.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Turn Award Winning Moves into 1000 Trees!

Make Every Step Count Tonight!

We’re Pavegen, the smart tile technology company that turns human movement into net zero impact through, renewable energy, data and meaningful engagement. Every step you take on our smart floor tonight helps us plant 1,000 UK treestogether offsetting around 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ A step in the right direction

PepsiCo

Rockstar Energy

UEFA

London Volvo Cars

The Ocean Race

Google | Germany

Quayside, Hong Kong

BNP Paribus, Bank of the West, USA

Dupont Circle, Washington DC, USA

Head Judge

The Department for Business and Trade are proud partners of The British Business Excellence Awards, and it was truly great to see the breadth and depth of businesses that are realising their growth ambitions through exporting and capitalising on the wealth of Free Trade Agreements in place. By investing in internationalisation of their products and services, these businesses were able to not just expand their customer base, but achieve sustainable growth through exporting. They are a testament to why British Business shines on a global stage and why buying British means not just quality, but the most cuttingedge innovation in products and services. Congratulations to all those entered and achieving growth through exporting! I look forward to seeing more businesses utilise our Business Growth Services at business.gov.uk”

SHEHZAD CHAUDRAY Deputy Director for Local & International Growth DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS & TRADE

The Department for Business & Trade Exporter of the Year Award



CATEGORY CRITERIA

With international markets offering opportunities for higher growth from a new client base, have you maximised global growth with your solution, product or service? Has a relationship with an overseas business partner delivered significant growth in your sales and profits?

This award recognises British businesses that have achieved the highest and most sustainable levels of international growth through exporting products, services and solutions.

NetSupport

www.netsupportsoftware.com

NetSupport is a leading producer of educational and corporate software solutions. With 36 years of software development expertise and a worldwide installation base of approximately 22 million in over 120 countries, it has earned the trust of customers in a wide range of industries.

Paralloy Group

www.paralloy.co.uk

Paralloy Group Limited is a specialist stainless steel and nickel alloy inventor and manufacturer based in Teesside, UK, and Normandy France employing over 1000 people at 7 sites, serving multiple critical markets around the world, including Nuclear, Petrochemicals, Direct Reduction of Iron and turbines powering AI, ships and planes.

Captain Fawcett

www.captainfawcett.com

Captain Fawcett is a modern Gentleman’s Grooming brand built on craftsmanship and a hugely enjoyable sense of adventure. Exporting to 45+ countries, the company champions affordable prestige and superlative customer experience. Recognised by numerous international accolades, Captain Fawcett delivers global excellence while staying true to a bold, distinctly British identity.

Routd Technology

www.routd.com

OM Synergies

www.omsynergies.com

OM Synergies Ltd, founded in 2013 and based in Birmingham, specializes in exporting recyclable ferrous and non-ferrous scrap and steel products to the world. Supported by a global logistics network, Turning yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s resources. Sourcing Metal scrap to correct place for recycling for a better tomorrow..

AirPure International www.airpure.com

AirPure International is a UK-based manufacturer and exporter of innovative aircare and cleaning products. Committed to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and regulatory compliance, we deliver high-quality, cruelty-free products to over 50 global territories. Our values-led approach drives continuous growth, product excellence, and trusted partnerships worldwide.

Kazient Privacy Experts & the Privacy Pros Academy

www.kazient.co.uk

ETK Group

www.etkgroup.co.uk

Enterprise, Trade & Knowledge Group Ltd (ETK Group) facilitates market entry and business expansion into African markets to connect businesses with opportunities across Africa by providing strategic advisory services, market insights, and on-the-ground support to businesses looking to enter and succeed in Africa.

Glencairn Crystal

www.glencairn.com

For four decades, Scotland-based Glencairn Crystal Studio, has gained an international reputation for fine crystal and glassware. A family business, Glencairn Crystal Studio is responsible for the design of the famous Glencairn Glass – the official glass for whisky. Glencairn is the world’s leading manufacturer of bespoke crystal and glass.

Thinventory delivers global field service technology and logistics solutions that enhance engineer productivity and inventory performance. Designed specifically for field service, Thinventory streamlines the supply chain, boosting efficiency, reducing costs and environmental impact, and improving visibility, making it the go-to solution for field inventory distribution and reverse

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Head Judge

I am an experienced judge & have sat on many panels for a wide range of local and national awards, recognising talent and excellence across multiple sectors. With over a decade of experience supporting and celebrating entrepreneurs, leaders, and organisations, I’m passionate about shining a spotlight on their achievements. Serving as a judge at the BBEA’s is one of my favourite roles, as it gives me the opportunity to meet the finalists in person and hear their inspiring stories first-hand. I believes these awards play a vital role in showcasing the country’s strengths and future potentiall”

SOPHIE MILLIKEN MBE CEO MOJA

The Small Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

At the end of 2024, there were 5.45m small businesses, employing 12.9m people and generating £1.8 trillion to the UK economy. Small businesses, with between 10 and 50 employees, employed 4.3m people and generated £780million.

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, creating wealth, employment, social impact and opportunity.

This Award celebrates the overall contribution of Small Businesses and recognises innovative and impactful firms with inspirational leaders that have built high performing teams, delivered for loyal customers, and achieved commercial success.

tmc3

www.tmc3.co.uk

tmc3 is a mission-driven cybersecurity and cloud consultancy, protecting critical assets across Defence, Government, and Infrastructure sectors. Veteran-founded, we combine technical excellence with a people-first approach. Our innovative, Secure by Design solutions enable resilience and growth, earning us a reputation as trusted partners in securing the future.

Drapers England

www.drapersengland.com

From a hidden speakeasy to your glass, Drapers England is a luxury spirit brand, designed by a British bespoke Tailor. Hand crafted in the heart of Yorkshire, Drapers bottled the perfect measure of impeccable style and exceptional taste which is dominating the luxury gifting and personalisation marketplace..

Talk Works

www.talk-works.org.uk

Talk Works is the UK’s first BCorp-certified mental health consultancy, partnering with employers to offer comprehensive support to meet the diverse needs of our population. Their team of highly qualified professionals includes clinical and counselling psychologists, psychotherapists, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy therapists, and counsellors trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing therapy.

Land Digital

www.landdigital.agency

Land Digital connects the digital and physical worlds in tolling and transport. Rooted in purposeful, human-centred technology, they improve how people experience and move through the built environment by making systems smarter, reducing congestion and cutting emissions. Their infrastructure creates a cleaner, more sustainable place to live and travel.

Resolve Care

www.resolvecare.com

Based in North East England, Resolve Care is recognised as an outstanding provider of specialist residential care for men with learning a disability and autism. Echoing our personal family values, the care services we provide enable a challenging clientbase to live rewarding and productive lives, in high quality accommodation.

Little Soap Company

www.littlesoapcompany.co.uk

Founded in 2008, Little Soap Company brought the first organic and naturally derived soap to supermarket shelves. Now a leading household brand, the company drives sustainable innovation with cross-category products that set market trends, reshaping the toiletries sector with a focus on sustainability and planet friendly, ethical products.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

Nafs health consultancy & training

www.nafshealth.com

Nafs Health is an award-winning UK mental health consultancy delivering accessible, high-quality care through a multidisciplinary team and innovative treatment options. Our hybrid model ensures prompt support across clinical and virtual settings. We are advancing inclusive, person-centred mental healthcare while setting a new standard for excellence in the sector.

Talentheads

www.talentheads.co.uk

We are Talentheads, a multi-site, award-winning Talent business. Trailblazers, innovators, disruptors: we do it differently, forming long-term, value-added partnerships through Recruitment, Talent Strategy and Training for growing businesses.We work as a dedicated member of your extended team, embedding ourselves into your business to recruit, develop and retain your talent.

Eco Efficient Home Solutions

www.eeh-s.com

Eco Efficient Home Solutions (EEH) specializes in energy-efficient retrofit solutions, including External Wall Insulation (EWI), air source heat pumps, and solar PV systems. With a focus on sustainability, social value, and compliance, EEH works with local communities, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing fuel poverty, and driving the green economy forward.

Kingdom Rooms

www.kingdomrooms.com

Garden buildings continue to evolve slowly. Despite attractive internet images, many structures are shed based with a limited life. Poor insulation leaves uncomfortable and expensive spaces to heat and cool with damp issues. Our quality structures add increased value to homes with a low carbon footprint EcoSmart build edge.

Ziggurat XYZ

www.zigguratxyz.com

Ziggurat XYZ is a talent and creative agency, quietly helping creators, whatever their size, make their millions. We represent some of the most specific and successful voices on the internet, providing the expertise and resources necessary for them to achieve their vision.

Carnegie Group

www.carnegiegroup.co.uk

Carnegie Group is an architectural design and construction company specialising in steel frame construction projects across the South East. Founded by industry experts David Mindham and Simon Barren, we have grown through reputation, rapidly scaling in turnover and employees year-on-year since 2022. Building client and team confidence, the Carnegie way.

The huge diversity of businesses in this year’s Innovation award category shows that groundbreaking innovation can thrive at all stages of business. From 2 employee UK startups to long established multinational companies, the 2025 entrants demonstrated not only innovative thinking and commercial application, but a true sense of purpose in their business offerings. It was a tough category to judge, with some great innovations in technology, service and business model propositions. All finalists should be rightly proud of what they have already achieved, and the potential they have developed for their future business success”

JOHN HOWIE Co Founder and Shareholder YUMOVE

Head Judge

The Innovation Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Innovation has made the UK world-leading in a variety of industries and enabled it to create new ones.

Is innovation or a culture of continual improvement at the heart your organisation? Has your business successfully challenged established market leaders or proved the commercial success of a new product, process, solution or service?

This award celebrates British innovation in all of its forms across the private, public and third sectors, and recognises organisations of all sizes and stages of scale that have successfully applied innovation.

DDK Positioning

www.ddkpositioning.com

DDK Positioning, founded in Aberdeen in 2016, delivers global, resilient GNSS positioning services across sectors like offshore energy, maritime, agriculture and defence. With better than 5cm accuracy and uninterrupted service via its exclusive Iridium partnership, DDK ensures precise asset tracking and independent position integrity for enhanced reliability and confidence.

Muve

www.muve.me.uk

Muve is a CLC-regulated conveyancing firm operating across England and Wales. Since 2016, we’ve delivered fast, transparent service, achieving property exchanges in as little as five weeks. Our digital-first approach, proactive case management, and intuitive online portal ensure a smooth, client-centred experience from start to finish.

Nexus Vehicle Rental

www.nexusrental.co.uk

Nexus Rental provides its customers with access to more than 550,000 vehicles – including 125,000 specialist and commercial vehicles and 50,000 HGVs and plant machinery – across 2,000 UK locations.

PureTec Separations

www.puretecseparations.com

PureTec Separations is a leading water treatment engineering company working with global brands across a diverse range of sectors. And with water scarcity becoming a growing issue across the globe, its expertly designed solutions are helping businesses to cut costs, streamline operations — and most importantly, protect the environment.

Signly

www.signly.co

Signly is the delivery agent that connects organisations with their Deaf customers, making content accessible to Deaf individuals, empowering them and delivering £8,000 value per end-user per year. Signly addresses the systemic exclusion of sign language users from digital content and print.

Wales Interactive

www.walesinteractive.com

Wales Interactive is a multi-award winning indie video games and interactive movie developer & publisher based in Wales, UK. Our products are entertaining the world as well as putting Wales on the video games map..

Your Surveyors

www.yoursurveyors.com

Yoursurveyors.com is a multi-award-winning residential surveying firm delivering RICS Home Surveys and Valuation Reports across England. We’re industry innovators, creating and offering the UK’s first Professional Negotiation Certificate service to help buyers renegotiate post-survey. Committed to transparency, client empowerment, and raising standards, we make homebuying smarter, safer, and more informed.

Zeal

www.getzeal.io

Zeal transforms card machines into powerful customer engagement tools. Our software integrates seamlessly with POS terminals, enabling merchants to identify customers, run loyalty programs, and gain valuable data insights—all without changing hardware. We’re building the UK’s largest network of smart payment terminals for enhanced retail experiences. ZED PODS

www.zedpods.com

ZED PODS Ltd is an award-winning modular housing company dedicated to designing and delivering zero-carbon, energyefficient homes through the utilisation of volumetric offsite technology. The company specialises in high-quality, turnkey housing solutions on constrained land parcels, addressing the urgent demand for sustainable affordable residential developments..

Being the Lead Judge for this year’s inaugural Female Founder Award has been fantastically energising, inspiring and educational. What struck me about our 2025 applicants and finalists is the non-linear paths to success they share, often triggered by not just wanting to serve an unmet need and the commercial wins that come with it, but often profound dissatisfaction with “the system” – whether that’s their former employer’s culture, limited career progression and/or societal norms. As a female founder of my own consulting business, I recognise in these unique finalists the defiance needed to counter the nay-sayers, the importance of surrounding themselves with believers, mentors and advocates. And the selfbelief they draw from their successes and varied networks they assemble. My thanks go to Sarah Austin and her hard-working team for creating this important recognition to celebrate the success of British female founders and their impact in the world. Bravo to our finalists and tonight’s winner”

ALLYSON STEWART-ALLEN CEO

Head Judge

The Female Founder of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

According to data from Companies House, there are just under a million female led businesses in the UK, 19.1% of all active firms, but they received just 5.8% of all investments in 2024. The Treasury estimates that if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men, they would add £250 billion of value to the UK economy.

Last year, EY identified 45 SuperScaler female-led businesses with revenues over £50m and 240 with sales between £20m and £50m, who are inspiring the next generation of female founders.

This new award celebrates the economic contribution of female founders, from high potential start-ups and scale-ups to established businesses, who have delivered on their vision and plan, proven a new business model, or have a track record of successfully scaling one or several businesses.

Jo Tutchener-Sharp

Scamp & Dude

www.scampanddude.com

Scamp & Dude is a B Corp™ Certified clothing brand, transforming fashion into a force for good. With over £3.18m donated through charitable initiatives, inc 68k Super Scarves donated through the #SuperScarfMission, giving back is in their DNA, along with superpowered prints and colours to make you feel amazing.

Erika Eliasson-Norris

Beyond Governance

www.beyondgovernance.com

Beyond Governance is a multi award-winning full service consultancy. We collaborate with the c-suite, chairs, board, and investors to enhance stakeholder and shareholder confidence by unlocking value. With 200+ years’ experience, we transform governance into a strategic advantage—driving efficiency, reducing risk, and creating value.

Hair Syrup

www.hairsyrup.co.uk

Hair Syrup is an innovative natural hair care brand offering highquality products designed to nourish, repair, and promote healthy hair growth. With a strong focus on sustainability, customer satisfaction, and clinically-proven formulations, Hair Syrup has rapidly grown, stocked in several national retailers and becoming a leader in the beauty industry.

Lucie Macleod

Caroline Strawson

The Mental Wellbeing Company www.thementalwellbeingcompany.com

The Mental Wellbeing Company is the UK’s fastest-growing franchise, with 350+ partners in 1 year, turning lived experience into purpose led careers. Founded by Caroline Strawson, it delivers cutting edge trauma informed coaching, mental health first aid, and workshops across schools, workplaces, and communities redefining mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Sally Beattie & Emer Bustard

Lazy Day Foods www.lazydayfoods.com

Lazy Day Foods, founded by food scientists Dr Sally Beattie and Emer Bustard, reimagines indulgence for everyone. Their freefrom bakery delivers luxurious cakes, biscuits and traybakes guaranteed free from the top allergens, proving that scientific rigour and innovation can make safe, inclusive treats utterly irresistible. Join in the joy!

Bolaji Sofoluwe MBE

ETK Group

www.etkgroup.co.uk

Ellie McClaren

The Escapologist www.the-escapologist.com

The Escapologist is an exclusive escape room, competitive socialising and bar chain with venues in Leeds, Castleford and Gateshead. From families seeking a memorable day out to friends looking for a night of exciting entertainment, a variety of worldclass, immersive experiences allow customers to “escape the everyday to the extraordinary”.

Vicky Ellis & Anastasia Tozer

REHAB.

www.rehabyourhair.com

REHAB. is a female-founded brand shaking up hair and body care with award-winning, eco-conscious innovations. From doseformat oils to waste-free shampoo sheets, our range delivers high performance and self-care in one. REHAB. helps you feel confident in your hair and skin—no matter your routine, lifestyle, or hair type.

Donna Fisher

Smile Box

www.smile-box.co.uk

Workplace wellbeing has been a hot topic for a while, but now more than ever before, supporting employee wellbeing is essential. Our fully branded Smile Boxes allow organisations to do just that with 6 feel-good products to support wellbeing and resources to boost mental health and resilience.

Charlotte Staerck

The Handbag Clinic

The Handbag Clinic blends luxury with sustainability, restoring, authenticating and reselling designer handbags. We proudly act as a gatekeeper on the luxury handbag market to ensure the continuation of handbags for generations to come. We partner with the world’s most iconic fashion houses and Selfridges to drive sustainability and CLTV.

WE GO FURTHER WHEN WE KEEP BRITAIN’S STRUCTURES SAFE

Rail examinations and inspections demand precision, resilience, and unity. At Modus Rail, we combine engineering expertise with collaboration to deliver progress on every railway line we touch. Together, we overcome challenges, innovate, and move the rail industry forward - one connection at a time.

Judging the Vistage Growth Business of the Year Award at the British Business Excellence Awards has been a real privilege. The quality and diversity of the entries this year truly reflect the strength, ambition and innovation within the UK business community. When I assess growth, I look for more than financial results. I want to see purpose, strong leadership and sustainable progress. The most impressive businesses had a clear strategy, the agility to adapt and a genuine commitment to developing their people. For me, lasting growth comes from a strong culture, operational discipline and values that shape decisions every day. The stand-out organisations balanced bold ambition with resilience and responsibility. It’s always inspiring to see so many leaders driving meaningful change and setting new standards of excellence. Being part of this process reminds me just how much potential there is across the UK business landscape”

REBECCA DREW, Managing Director VISTAGE UK & IRELAND

Head Judge

The Vistage Growth Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

The UK economy has tested the resilience of all businesses in recent years, but against this backdrop small and scaling businesses have innovated, adapted, and seized the right opportunities to achieve growth.

Has your business demonstrated strong leadership, exceptional customer service, impactful innovation, and an investment in people with the purpose to increase sales, profitability, client value or market share over the last 2 years?

This award recognises small businesses achieving growth across a range of metrics and a robust plan to deliver sustained financial success and impact.

Cascade Cash Management

www.cascade.co.uk

DBSJ

www.dbsj.co.uk

Cascade Cash Management is a UK-based platform that helps individuals and businesses maximise savings returns with FSCS protection. It offers whole-of-market access, opens accounts directly in the client’s name for safety, and includes tools like optimisation and live alerts to keep savers on the best available rates at all times. Safecall

www.safecall.co.uk

Safecall works with some of the world’s leading brands, helping them to foster positive speak-up cultures and protect their reputations. We do this through the delivery of global whistleblowing software and services that enable our clients to capture, analyse, investigate and report on a wide range of workplace concerns.

Rapid Energy

www.rapidenergy.co.uk

Modus Rail

www.modusrail.co.uk

Modus Rail is a passionate, high-performing team of structural examiners and surveyors protecting Britain’s railway infrastructure. We deliver safety, compliance, and results—every time. From bridges to stations, we safeguard lives with precision and pride. Trusted by Network Rail, we act decisively, think ahead, and consistently deliver where it matters most.

de Novo Solutions

www.de-novo-solutions.com

de Novo Solutions supports organisations to implement more efficient processes using Oracle Cloud and ServiceNow technologies. Working across a wide range of industries, de Novo focuses on creating data-driven, personalised digital experiences rather than standardised business processes to transform public and private sector clients’ Finance, Procurement, HR and Payroll operations.

Micom Technologies

www.micom.com

Micom is a UK-based communications technology company transforming how businesses connect with customers. Our platform unifies print, email, and SMS into one intelligent ecosystem, helping organisations efficiently scale communications. Trusted by the NHS and major brands, we simplify complexity and drive performance through innovation, automation, and human-centred design.

UPOWA

www.upowa.co.uk

UPOWA delivers sustainable technology solutions for the UK’s transition to net-zero. Specialising in solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging, we provide a full end-to-end service. Since 2008, we’ve completed over 30,000 installations across the housebuilding, construction, and C&i sectors, meeting sustainability targets, whilst saving money and reducing carbon emissions.

Mercore Group

www.mercore.com

Mercore is a business to business trade finance provider - with a focus on SME lending and International transactions - particularly including emerging markets. Mercore is also a fast adopter of the 2023 ETDA legislation permitting digital execution for the required financial documents - enabling rapid funds deployment.

Public Digital

www.public.digital

Public Digital is a specialist consultancy which supports multinational businesses and public institutions globally to become more nimble, responsive and impactful. Founded by the team behind the UK’s Government Digital Service, we help large, complex organisations adopt user-centred design, modern technology practices, and test-and-learn ways of working to drive transformation.

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It was a privilege to serve as a judge for the Technology Business of the Year Award. The exceptional standard of innovation, strategic vision, and leadership demonstrated by the finalists was truly inspiring. Each business showcased not only incredible technology but also a deep passion for driving positive change and shaping the future of the UK’s tech sector. The experience was a powerful reminder of the remarkable talent and entrepreneurial spirit leading the way in British business today”

FLO SIMPSON Chief Operating Officer ATOM LEARNING

Head Judge

The Technology Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

Technology continues to transform industries, changing how and where people work, improving the way organisations transact and deliver impact.

The UK tech sector is driving change and innovation across all industries with solutions to enable scale, improve efficiency and increase profitability. It’s helping challengers to compete with market leaders and industry giants to become more agile.

This award recognises technology businesses that have re-written the rules on how to grow and create value, demonstrating the highest levels of innovation, customer engagement and growth and a robust plan to deliver sustained financial success.

Thirdfort

www.thirdfort.com

Thirdfort protects legal, property and accountancy professionals, and their clients, from fraud and money laundering. Our platform combines technology and human expertise to make client due diligence simple, swift and secure. Thirdfort helps more than 1,500 businesses keep moving in a world of ever-changing regulations and rising fraud.

BigHand

www.bighand.com

BigHand is a leading technology partner to the legal industry, serving over 810,000 users across 3,300 clients. Our deep legalmarket expertise has earned the trust of 82% of the UK’s Top 200 firms, 81% of the AMLAW 200 and 96% of the Top 50 APAC firms.

Zenzero

www.zenzero.co.uk

Zenzero are a leading Managed Services Provider across the UK and Channel Islands. Zenzero provide 24/7 IT support and cloud management, cyber security services including security operations, penetration testing, and governance, risk and compliance consultancy. They also specialise in data, development and AI services.

www.britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk

ANS

www.ans.co.uk

ANS is a leading digital transformation provider and Microsoft’s UK Services Partner of the Year 2024. Headquartered in Manchester, it’s on a mission to make technology accessible for all. Offering public and private cloud, data services, security, business applications and low code, it serves enterprise, SMB and public sector organisations.

Micom Technologies

www.micom.com

TRAction

www.tractionfintech.com

TRAction is a global RegTech leader providing cost-effective, regulatory reporting solutions for financial firms. With expert support and seamless technology, TRAction simplifies compliance across regimes like EMIR, MiFID II, SFTR, ASIC, and MAS, helping clients reduce risk, save time, and meet evolving regulatory demands with confidence.

Sampl Technologies

www.sampltech.com

Sampl is disrupting the product sampling industry by replacing wasteful, low-impact giveaways with data-driven campaigns that boost conversion and ROI, lower cost-per-lead, and cut environmental impact. With 100% year-on-year growth, global FMCG clients across beauty, healthcare and food, and cuttingedge tech at our core, we’re redefining what sampling can achieve.

Modern World Business Solutions

www.mwbsolutions.co.uk

Test Driven Solutions

www.testdrivensolutions.co.uk

At Test Driven Solutions, we provide a quality augmented service, supplying high-calibre consultants to support organisations and assist with the delivery of ongoing projects and programmes.

Aspire Technology Solutions

www.aspirets.com

Aspire Technology Solutions is one of the UK’s leading providers of managed IT, cyber security, and modern workplace solutions. Supporting 2,000+ customers, we deliver advanced technology to help our customers drive business benefits. Our mission is to deliver technology like no other, empowering organisations to innovate, grow, and work smarter.

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This year’s entries reminded me that purpose isn’t a slogan: it’s a strategy for resilience, innovation, and trust. The businesses we reviewed demonstrated that when purpose is built into a company’s DNA, rather than being bolted on, it inspires teams, earns loyalty, and drives real impact. We saw leaders proving that doing good is not at odds with growth; it’s what sustains it. These organisations are redefining success by showing that integrity, empathy, and long-term thinking are not just values, but competitive advantages. It’s been inspiring to witness how businesses that truly lead with purpose are shaping industries, uplifting communities, and proving that profit can follow principles”

ABDUL SHILL Co-Founder & Director

Head Judge

The Purpose Before Profit Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

A shared vision and purpose gives direction to teams and galvanises people to go beyond to achieve a meaningful and ambitious goal. A clear purpose engages a range of stakeholders, from customers and employees to investors, who are reassured by a long-term plan for impact and growth.

This special award recognises organisations who put their purpose before profit and prove that ethics, integrity and a social conscience make commercial sense.

The British Business Excellence Awards pay tribute to those organisations that have gone above and beyond to make a real impact in their industry or community.

The Wellbeing Farm

www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk

The Wellbeing Farm is a B Corp Certified hospitality venue based in Lancashire dedicated to sustainability, conscious celebrations, and meaningful experiences. The unique farm-based venue blends rustic charm and eco-friendly innovation. It’s USP are it’s bowtie-wearing Llamas. The venue creates unforgettable events while positively influencing the local business community.

Bidvest Noonan

www.bidvestnoonan.com

Bidvest Noonan, a leading provider of FM Services, employs over 27,000 people across Ireland and the UK. With nearly 50 years of experience, it provides services such as cleaning, ground maintenance, security, and technical services as standalone, bundled, or integrated solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

NOSY Creative Agency

www.nosy.agency

NOSY is a creative agency that uses strategy, design and digital to help purpose-led businesses grow. We turn down work that doesn’t align with our values and build long- term partnerships with those shaping a better future. Purposeful creatives, led by curiosity.

BecomingX

www.becomingx.com

BecomingX is a learning and development company on a mission to create a world where everyone can realise their potential. We empower people to build the skills, knowledge, attitudes and relationships they need to succeed — helping them thrive, whatever their starting point or ambition..

Resolve Care

www.resolvecare.com

Kin & Cloth

www.kinandcloth.com

Little Bird People Development

www.littlebirdpeopledevelopment.org.uk

Pioneering businesswoman, author and programme creator, Alison Delaney, established Little Bird People Development to deliver engaging, impactful and bespoke skills training that is values-led and people-driven. With a focus on raising aspirations and building confidence, Alison is committed to empowering individuals to take flight and achieve their full potential.

AYMES

www.aymes.com

AYMES produces and sells Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS). Since its inception the company has set new standards of excellence in the field of medical nutrition through a focus on quality, innovation, and culture to challenge the way things have always been done and address the significant need for highquality ONS.

We put care first. Our homes are built around the people who live in them, real people who deserve safety, support, and respect. We’re not here just for profit. We’re here because everyone deserves a place where they feel valued. That’s what drives us every day

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Judging the British Business Excellence Awards has been nothing short of inspiring. Reading about and meeting so many trailblazers, it’s impossible not to feel hopeful about the future. The standout moments? Seeing businesses lean into workforce and customer inclusion not just as a tick-box, but as something that runs deep in their culture. I saw bold steps being taken to ensure diverse thinking and approaches to scaling businesses, and genuine care for customers with practical ideas for accessible products and services. It’s real progress and has reinforced my belief in business as a force for good.”

BETH KNIGHT Social Sustainability Lead LLOYDS

Head Judge

The Lloyds DE&I Champion of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

The business case for diversity, equity & inclusion grows year after year, with a wealth of evidence that it drives both employee and customer engagement, improves productivity, and enables more profitable growth. Yet it still hasn’t been fully embraced by the majority of organisations.

Often, it is a visionary and influential individual or market leader who drives diversity as a role model, advocate, challenger or champion. Diversity champions are pro-active in driving the right initiatives, defining the most meaningful metrics and proving the commercial case for DE&I. They encourage open conversations, challenge the status quo and bring people together with a shared vision of a more inclusive future.

The DE&I Champion of the Year Award is open to any individual or business that is able to demonstrate the success of DE&I policies and initiatives to improve diversity, equity or inclusion.

ANS

www.ans.co.uk

ANS is a digital transformation provider and Microsoft’s UK Services Partner of the Year 2024. Headquartered in Manchester, its mission is to make technology accessible for organisations of all sizes. ANS helps customers become AI-ready, ensuring they can harness the power of AI in a safe, responsible and innovative way.

Murgitroyd

www.murgitroyd.com

Murgitroyd is a leading global intellectual property firm, delivering expert patent, trade mark, and legal services. With a strong ESG and DE&I focus, we combine technical excellence with a valuesdriven culture. Our international team partners with clients to protect innovation, support business growth, and create positive community and environmental impact.

Park Hall Hotel & Spa

www.parkhallhotel.com

Park Hall Hotel & Spa is a luxury resort hotel with 118 refurbished bedrooms, a world-class spa, signature dining options, Gamer X arcade, and Lancashire’s largest event spaces for 7 to 700 guests. Celebrated for championing diversity and inclusivity, we blend heritage with modern hospitality to create unforgettable experiences.

Mpowa

www.mpowa.io

Mpowa is a next-generation, AI-powered impact ecosystem. As a blockchain-enabled SaaS B-Corp, it promotes measurable social impact through community partnerships, clean technology, micro-philanthropy in developing countries, and impact investments. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to every phase of its operations, ensuring equitable access and representation throughout the platform.

DWS Legal

www.d-w-s.co.uk

DWS Legal is a multi-award-winning, full-service law firm with offices in Leicester/London offering clients exceptionally high levels of service. Our lawyers advise domestically and internationally, across common law and civil law systems, supporting everything from day-to-day operations to the most complex/critical legal issues. We advise individuals/corporate businesses/state and regulatory bodies..

www.haysmac.com

HaysMac is an award-winning chartered accountancy and advisory firm headquartered in London, driven by integrity, empowering our team, dynamism and collaboration. With specialist insight across sectors, from technology to charities - we deliver serious, expert advice with positivity and personality. We are here For Business. For People. For Good.

Devon Square Orthodontics

www.devonsquareorthodontics.com

Devon Square Orthodontics and Ocean Orthodontics are awardwinning, female-run dental clinics, led by Orthodontic Specialist Dr Ansa Akram. Combining clinical excellence, cutting-edge technology, and a culture of care, they’ve grown patient numbers by 110%, embedded greener tools into treatment, and created thriving, independent practices built around the customer experience.

Care Safe

www.hts.group

HTS Group T/A Care Safe is transforming primary health and social care in the UK by providing doorstep services for vulnerable populations. Utilising its patented digital safeguarding technology, the company ensures safe, personalised care, promoting independence and wellbeing for elderly and disabled individuals right in the comfort of their homes.

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As a judge for the inaugural AI Solution of the Year category at the Lloyds Business Excellence Awards, I’ve seen first-hand how artificial intelligence is quietly but profoundly reshaping UK industry. The entries this year showed genuine innovation and imagination — proof of how AI can unlock new possibilities, improve efficiency, and help businesses grow in exciting ways. The pace of change is extraordinary, and the potential for the UK is huge. But as we embrace this technology, it’s important to keep people at the heart of progress. We must continue to nurture and train young talent, ensuring AI supports their growth rather than replaces it. The best solutions this year reflected exactly that balance”

ANDREW WEBB Founder & CEO

Head Judge

The AI Solution of the Year Award



CATEGORY CRITERIA

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is starting to have a profound impact on how we work and live, achieving a wide range of labour intensive tasks in seconds and creating time for creativity.

This game-changing technology has a wealth of applications, with AI and machine-learning already disrupting industries and services like healthcare, financial services, logistics, retail, and marketing to name just a few.

This award recognises AI solutions and applications demonstrating the highest levels of innovation, impact and improvement to deliver impressive customer engagement and commercial success.

www.luminance.com

Developed by AI experts from the University of Cambridge, Luminance’s Legal-Grade™ AI automates and augments every touchpoint a business has with its contracts. Its Mixture of Experts approach - known as the “Panel of Judges” - uses probabilistic consensus to ensure legal-grade accuracy during contract generation, negotiation and post-execution analysis.

HARLEYDOC

www.harleydoc.co.uk

HARLEYDOC is the world’s first truly global healthcare concierge service, offering its clients 24/7/365 healthcare coverage wherever in the world they are, using the innovative HARLEYDOC APP, which is a real-time interface between doctor and patient. Combining cutting-edge technology with clinical excellence, it delivers preventative, urgent, and ongoing care-anytime anywhere.

Siya Tech Ventures

www.siya.tech

Siya Tech Ventures is an AI-first venture studio empowering underrepresented founders to launch and scale impactful tech startups. From ideation to investment, we build cutting-edge AI solutions that solve real-world problems—driving innovation, inclusivity, and commercial success across industries like fintech, healthcare, logistics, and education.

Altia

www.altiaintel.com

Headquartered in Nottingham, with customers based globally in Australia, Canada, and USA, served by a team of more than 80 employees, Altia is a leading provider of intelligence and investigation software for law enforcement agencies, government departments and private sector businesses.

Super Benji

www.superbenji.ai

Sales sucks - especially when it comes to finding prospects, researching them, sending messages and remembering to follow-up. Super Benji automates this entire process for B2B businesses. In fact, our agentic AI pup has already found you a free lead! Checkout www.superbenji.ai and drop your email in the blue box.

AiX Insights

www.aixinsights.com

AiX is the UK’s first AI- and ML-powered workforce platform solving the workforce crisis. We prevent redundancies and layoffs through predictive planning and instant employee loaning. By unlocking hidden capacity and reducing hiring time from months to hours, AiX future-proofs businesses, lowers costs, and delivers lasting workforce value at scale.

Your Surveyors

www.yoursurveyors.com

MAGIC AI

www.magic.fit

MAGIC AI (https://magic.fit) is the World’s First AI Personal Trainer that helps people get personally trained by the world’s best athletes using a sleek wall mirror. They are the fastest growing consumer company in the UK as of 2025. IAMTech

www.iamtech.com

Founded in 1973 as industrial plant model makers, IAMTech is today recognised as a global leader in industrial software, serving sectors including Oil & Gas, Chemical, Mining, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, and Power. Our journey has been characterised by extensive growth, industry collaboration, global influence, community support, and nurturing future talent.

Proud to

be Cloud

“

It’s great working at Cloud because we have a team that are always helping and motivating each other as well as looking for new ways to do things. “

Cloud are proud to lead in the development of technology that supports the smooth operation of real estate and asset management for a wide range of sectors globally.

Head Judge

This year’s entries have demonstrated a real commitment in putting employees at the heart of a company’s culture and in so doing benefiting from positive growth and competitive differentiation. We saw passion, integrity and sincerity throughout. An evident care for people and communities. Standards of entry have risen yet again making judging even more difficult. Whilst we have a worthy winner, all those entrants we saw in this category should be proud of the recognition they have gained as finalists in these prestigious awards”

STEVE HYDE Founder

The Employer of the Year Award

CATEGORY CRITERIA

With higher costs of hiring and demand for new skills to meet the expectations of more global and tech-enabled clients, employers of all sizes need the right blend of training, incentives and career pathways to attract, retain and develop a multi-generational workforce. Being recognised as an employer of choice is vital to attract those with the most sought-after skills and retain the best people to offer customers the consistency of service they expect.

Employee and candidate expectations about where, how and why they work have changed, with wellbeing, personal & professional development, and flexibility as important as salary and other financial incentives.

This award celebrates the organisations that go the extra mile through all stages of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to inclusion and career progression.

Harper Macleod

www.harpermacleod.co.uk

Duncan & Toplis

www.duncantoplis.co.uk

The Duncan & Toplis group is one of the largest accounting and business advisers in the Midlands and London. The organisation provides a range of services to almost 13,000 businesses and individuals. It offers services including accountancy, tax and business advice, audit and assurance, payroll, wealth management, and IT services.

Hernshead Recruitment

www.hernshead.co.uk

Hernshead Recruitment serves a diverse multinational client base, including companies in additive manufacturing, aerospace & aviation, automotive, automation, special purpose machinery and more. In 2025 they completed a management buyout of Lord Alan Sugar.

Exactaform Cutting Tools

www.exactaform.com

Exactaform Cutting Tools, founded in 1979 by John Inglis, is the UK’s largest PCD tooling supplier, supporting industries such as aerospace and automotive. With state-of-the-art facilities and a global reach, Exactaform continues to innovate in cutting solutions under Managing Director Jamie White, upholding a commitment to precision and performance.

IFF Research

www.iffresearch.com

IFF Research is an independent social and market research agency who help their partners make better informed decisions. Established in 1965 and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, IFF provides robust and reliable insight to the private, public and voluntary sector, to support a better functioning society. Cloud

www.cloudfmgroup.com

Cloud is a multi-award-winning PropTech innovator transforming asset management with AI, real-time data and new service models. Since 2011, Cloud has empowered clients to change behaviour and achieve energy efficiency. Its people-first culture and cutting-edge technology drive growth and industry-leading savings, making Cloud a top employer and global brand partner.

Micom Technologies

www.micom.com

Micom Technologies (formerly imail comms) is a fast-growing UK-based communications platform transforming how businesses connect with customers. By combining physical and digital channels—like mail, email, and SMS—we enable intelligent, scalable communications with measurable impact. Our technology simplifies complexity, drives engagement, and fuels sustainable growth for mid-market and enterprise brands.

Intercity Technology

www.intercity.technology

First Response Group

www.firstresponsegroup.com

First Response Group (FRG) is a top 20 UK security and facilities management company, trusted by major brands and landmark venues nationwide. We deliver tailored solutions underpinned by our EPIC values - Empowerment, Passion, Integrity and Community - and a commitment to safety, innovation, and exceptional client experiences.

www.aquavista.com

Aquavista owns and manages 29 inland and coastal marinas across the UK, providing leisure moorings to customers and we lead the market in offering residential moorings. Our mix of offerings is unrivalled and also includes nationwide boat sales, plus floating homes and lodges for sale at selected marina.

My role as one of the judges for The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award is one of the highlights of my year. My fellow judges and I are always so impressed with the quality of the SME businesses that present to us. Their passion , energy and commitment to supporting their Colleagues and wider Communities always comes over in “leaps and bounds “ and we are given a tough job each year on picking the overall winner. This year has been just as difficult to decide with the strong group of Finalists that we saw. I would like to congratulate all the Finalists for this year. The entries for each of the businesses were incredible and I very much look forward to seeing you all tonight at the Awards Night.”

AMANDA DOREL Regional Director, SME South. LLOYDS

Head Judge

The Lloyds Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

 CATEGORY CRITERIA

With 5.55m SMBs in the UK, generating £2.7 trillion in revenues, they are truly the backbone of the British economy as drivers of employment, value and impact. Are you proud of what your company has achieved, how you have been successful, and why people choose to work for you and with you in such an intensively competitive market?

Celebrating the economic contribution of Small to Medium-Sized Businesses, this award recognises SMBs that have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understand their customers, have an engaged workforce with effective leadership, and are continually innovating to support future growth.

Castell Group

www.castellgroup.co.uk

Castell Group is a social housebuilder delivering affordable and disabled adapted homes for those most in need. We work exclusively with registered social landlords and take a thoughtful and partnership led approach to development. Every home is built with care, purpose and a deep understanding of the communities we serve.

ADHD 360

www.adhd-360.com

Public Digital

www.public.digital

R-Tec Services & Innovation

www.rationaltech.co.uk

R-TEC Services & Innovation is a specialist in Rational oven maintenance, repair, and bespoke kitchen fabrication for National chains in the hospitality sector. Serving over 4,000 sites nationwide, we combine technical excellence, innovation, and sustainability to support major hospitality brands with rapid service, custom solutions, and a trusted, family-driven approach.

Seven Seeded

www.sevenseeded.co.uk

We are the chefs’ bakers — award winning and trusted by some of London’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrity chefs and speciality coffee shops. Since 2006, we’ve been driving the better bread movement, handcrafting award-winning sourdough and Viennoiseries using traditional methods, full of flavour, integrity, and with life in every bake!

Stir Food

www.stirfood.co.uk

Stir Food is a specialist education caterer bringing fresh ideas, nutritious meals and joyful school kitchens to learning communities across the UK. Founded by a former teacher, we deliver thoughtful, bespoke and sustainable food solutions— with a standout focus on nutrition, SEND provision, community connection, staff care, and lasting client partnerships..

Structura

www.structura-uk.com

Structura delivers cutting-edge architectural glazing design, fabrication and installation for commercial and listed buildings. Passionate about sustainable development, we are trusted by leading architects, surveyors and building owners to transform, upgrade and restore the UK and Ireland’s highest-profile listed buildings and landmarks, including The National Gallery and Bath Spa University.

Tessiant

www.tessiant.com

Tessiant are not your traditional consultants, we are practitioners. We help retail and consumer leaders succeed through advice, strategy, and execution, offering a unique mix of senior advisory and transformation capabilities. A small customer-centric consultancy, providing big business experience from a network of established Senior Advisory and ex C-Suite Professionals..

www.tmlpartners.com

sarah@bbexcellenceawards.co.uk