The British Business Awards 2022, an extravagant event, saw an impressive turnout of over 200 attendees. The host for the evening was none other than Caprice Bourret, a supermodel who has successfully ventured into the world of business. The event took place at the prestigious King’s Place venue in London.
This year’s awards received an overwhelming response, with 450 nominations pouring in from 355 companies across the United Kingdom. The sheer number of nominations, 150 in total, highlights the significance and popularity of the British Business Awards 2022.
The British Business Awards aims to celebrate the achievements of not only the country’s 5.6 million small businesses but also the entities that provide support to them, such as accountants, business lenders, and marketing agencies. This year marked the third edition of the awards, emphasizing its growing importance in recognizing and honoring outstanding contributions.
The judging panel, consisting of esteemed individuals like Liz Barclay, the Government small business commissioner, Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE, and Jo Ainsley from Pay.Uk, meticulously evaluated the entries. After sifting through numerous submissions, they shortlisted 144 nominations and eventually identified the 18 winners. Among the winners was NICE, a remarkable canned wine brand, which clinched the coveted Small Business of the Year award.
The success of the British Business Awards 2022 wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of sponsors such as Avast Business, Current Account Switch Service, HSBC, Pay.UK, and Sage. Their involvement demonstrated their commitment to recognizing and uplifting the small business community in the UK.
Prior to the ceremony, approximately 250 small business owners and service providers mingled and networked in the picturesque canal-side venue. The anticipation was palpable as everyone eagerly awaited the commencement of the awards.
Following the announcement of the winners, a live band took the stage, creating an atmosphere of celebration and merriment that carried on late into the night. The joy and elation displayed by the winners and nominees added to the overall energy of the event.
Reflecting on the success of the evening, Tania Ferreira, the portfolio director at Stubben Edge, the organizers of the British Business Awards 2022, expressed her delight. She emphasized the resilience, innovation, and agility of the UK’s small businesses, underscoring the importance of acknowledging their hard work and dedication. Ferreira conveyed her appreciation to all the nominees and winners for being a part of a project that aspires to inspire, celebrate, connect, and instill hope in the small business and entrepreneurial community.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the remarkable winners of the British Business Awards 2022:
Business Lender of the Year
The nominees for this category included 365 Business Finance, Nucleus Commercial Finance, and Praetura Group (Lending Division). However, emerging victorious was 365 Business Finance.
SME Marketing Agency of the Year
The highly competitive field for this award featured prominent names like Aqueous Digital, Bacon Marketing, Brevity Marketing, Goho, Murray Dare Marketing Consultancy, PPC Geeks, Rooster Punk, Scala, Yay!Starter Marketing, and YUnique Marketing Ltd. Yet, it was Scala that claimed the coveted title.
Most Innovative Business Idea of the Year
In the race for the Most Innovative Business Idea award, several exceptional companies competed, including CeraPhi Energy, Fearless Adventures, Haybrooke Associates, Light Science Technology, Melian Dialogue Research, Rocket Group, See No Bounds, Silly Greens, Tunley Engineering, and Voilo. Ultimately, Light Science Technology emerged as the winner.
Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year
Recognizing the significance of health and wellbeing, this category featured remarkable initiatives by 4mindz Foundation, Dr. Bishnu Upadhaya from the Centre for Holistic and Psychological Healthcare Ltd, Fearless Adventures, GAMA Healthcare, Jute, Jam & Journalism Group, The Audit Lab, Therapeutic Equines Assisting Learning CIC, and Words of Life and Health. However, GAMA Healthcare’s initiative stood out and secured the award.
Accountancy Software Provider of the Year
The contenders in this category were Funding Options, Sage, and Salamon & Co Accountancy Services. Ultimately, Sage emerged victorious as the Accountancy Software Provider of the Year.
Insurance Provider of the Year
The competition for the Insurance Provider of the Year was fierce, featuring Jukes Insurance Brokers, Purbeck Insurance Services, Sam White from Freedom Services Group, and Superscript. However, it was Sam White from Freedom Services Group who claimed the prestigious title.
Sustainable Business Award of the Year
This category celebrated businesses that prioritize sustainability. The nominees included Green Tomato (Midlands), Greenr Technologies, Goodchap’s, Light Science Technologies, Meryl Fabrics, Pri Pri, SE Recycling, SURI, TOTM, and Treepoints. TOTM secured the Sustainable Business Award of the Year.
Accounts and Tax Adviser of the Year
Outstanding professionals in the field of accountancy and tax advisory competed for this award. The nominees included Andrea L. Richards from Accounts Navigator Associates, Cassandra Fennell from CFA Tax, Derbyshire Accountants, Eva Szabo from EVLA, Haysmacintyre, Makesworth Accountants, Mazuma, and TaxAssist Accountants. Haysmacintyre emerged as the winner in this category.
Micro Business of the Year
Recognizing the contributions of micro-sized businesses, this category featured outstanding entities such as Ask the Chameleon, Central Vision Opticians, Evolution Sales Recruitment, Lanes Employment Solution Specialists, North East International Film Festival (Under the umbrella of Keepin’ It Reel Productions Ltd), Razzamataz Theatre School (Newbury), Sharp Thinking Marketing, Tunley Engineering, UKYOGA, and WPR. Ask the Chameleon was named the Micro Business of the Year.
Next Generation Entrepreneur of the Year
This category celebrated young and promising entrepreneurs. The nominees included Alan Clarke from Paste Dental, Ben Michaelis from ThinkEngine, Charlotte Moore from Studio Sonder, Chloe Lewis from Nutrifec, Eloise Skinner from One Typical Day & The Purpose Workshop, Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte from Greenr Technologies, Greta McDonald from Sweet Lounge, Natalie Hodgins, Owain Brennan from Seer BI, and more. Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte from Greenr Technologies emerged as the Next Generation Entrepreneur of the Year.
Retail Business of the Year
Recognizing excellence in the retail sector, this category featured remarkable businesses such as Ice of Ixworth, LadyBiker, Pennine Cycles, Street Life, and White Stores. White Stores claimed the title of Retail Business of the Year.
Technology Provider of the Year
The Technology Provider of the Year category celebrated businesses driving innovation in the technology sector. The contenders included Awin, Censornet, Clarity Stack, Click Dealer, Core to Cloud, Deko, EndtoEnd IT, Funding Options, Pragmatiq, and Tedbree. Censornet emerged as the Technology Provider of the Year.
Woman-led Business of the Year
This category celebrated the achievements of women leading successful businesses. The nominees included Anna Bennett from Hey Lola, Charlene Brown from Howlett Brown, Christina Taylor from Aim Sky High Talent, Felicia Hjertman from Tillit, Florence Broughton from Chocolate on Chocolate, Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte from Greenr Technologies, Janthana Kaenprakhamroy from Tapoly, Jules Leahy Toria Chan from STEPS Rehabilitation, Julianne Ponan from Creative Nature, Lisa-Marie Tonelli from North East International Film Festival (under the umbrella of Keepin’ It Reel Productions Ltd), and more. Charlene Brown from Howlett Brown was honored as the Woman-led Business of the Year.
DEI Initiative of the Year
Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were recognized in this category. The nominees included Eton Clarke, HR Habitat, and Melian Dialogue Research. Melian Dialogue Research was awarded the DEI Initiative of the Year.
Black, Asian, Ethnic Minority Business of the Year
This category acknowledged the accomplishments of businesses owned by individuals from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities. The nominees included Abdul Thadha from Books2Door, Andrea L. Richards from Accounts Navigator Associates, Christina Taylor from Aim Sky High Talent, Cynthia Davis from Diversifying Group (formerly BAME Recruitment), Jamal Ahmed from Kazient Privacy Experts, Jim Coke from Melian Dialogue Research, Josh Bukraba from V4 Cloud, Julianne Ponan from Creative Nature, Lee Chambers from Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, Paulo Jamece from Sleeping Bubbles Ltd, and more. Abdul Thadha from Books2Door emerged as the Black, Asian, Ethnic Minority Business of the Year.
Start-Up of the Year
This category celebrated emerging start-ups. The nominees included Bossface, Edgify, Praeferre, Humanery, Kidvelo Bikes, Project Harmless Ltd, Scout, See No Bounds, SURI, and Voilo. Kidvelo Bikes was recognized as the Start-Up of the Year.
Entrepreneur of the Year
The Entrepreneur of the Year category recognized exceptional individuals who have made significant strides in the business world. The nominees included Ashkan Pitchforth from South Cliff Dental Group, James Sharpe from Fabulosa (My Fabulosa Ltd), James Whiteley from White Stores, Jatin Ondhia from Shojin Property Partners, Lucy Busk & Jeremy May from NICE, Matt Connelly from ihateironing, Oliver Bristowe from Pets Purest, Sam White from Freedom Services Group, Sarah Travell from Virgate, Sean Nolan from Blink, and more. Matt Connelly from ihateironing was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year.
Small Business of the Year
This highly coveted award recognized outstanding small businesses. The nominees included Core to Cloud, Airship Interactive, All Seasons Group, Cognassist, Cornucopia Worcester, Kromanti Distillery & Blending House, Natalie Hodgins, NICE, MaxContact, Shojin Property Partners, and more. NICE emerged as the Small Business of the Year.
The British Business Awards 2022 showcased the resilience, innovation, and agility of UK’s small businesses. It was a night of celebration and recognition, honoring the accomplishments of these remarkable enterprises. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners for their dedication and commitment to excellence.
