We know that many small business owners, entrepreneurs and larger organisations don't like to pay up front for awards, where fees range from £99 to more than £250 per category. With us, all your entries are free.
It just makes sense. Why pay an entry fee when you get nothing in return? If you enter an award sector with Business Awards UK and win, you pay an Award Acceptance Fee, then enjoy a raft of benefits for winning.
As a winner or finalist, you get credible industry recognition & publicity from National press releases, Google and Yahoo! News features, content marketing and case studies.
Social media marketing is important for all businesses, which is why we announce your accolades on social platforms, and regularly engage with you and your followers.
We can create quality, in-depth content with your team, making you a trusted voice in your industry, and highlighting the achievements & success of your business or enterprise.
(Award Acceptance Fee)
(Free Forever)
(per optional trophy)
We’ll send you relevant reminders
so you don’t miss key dates
Our judging panel are business experts with a wealth of knowledge in various industries. They lend their experience and business acumen to the many award sectors we cover.
Our panel consists of dozens of private & public guest judges; below are a few of our business experts who will be selecting shortlists, winners and finalists in our awards!
Interested in being a guest judge? Contact us here.
Type | Award / Category | Description / Criteria | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary | Small Business Of The Year 2024 | Recognising the outstanding achievements of a compact enterprise in 2024, the Small Business Of The Year award honours the firm that has demonstrated consistent growth, innovation, and a positive impact on its industry. | ||
Primary | Fastest Growing Small Business | Celebrating the most remarkable acceleration in business growth, the Fastest Growing Small Business award pays tribute to the company that has exhibited extraordinary expansion in revenue, market share, and employee numbers. | ||
Primary | Best Newcomer Small Business | An award for the most impressive new small business on the scene, the Best Newcomer Small Business category acknowledges the company that has made waves in its sector with an innovative approach, strong performance, and a clear vision for the future. | ||
Primary | Best Small Business Transformation | This award is for the small business that has undergone a remarkable transformation, successfully implementing significant changes to its operations, culture, or market position to achieve substantial improvements in performance and profitability. | ||
Primary | Small Business Disruptor Of The Year | In recognition of the company that has disrupted the status quo and shaken up its industry, the Small Business Disruptor Of The Year award celebrates the groundbreaking innovations and market disruptions introduced by a small business. | ||
Primary | Triumph Over Adversity Award | An accolade for the business (or core staff) overcoming immense challenges to achieve success, the Triumph Over Adversity Award honours the resilience and determination of a company or individual(s) in the face of adversity. | ||
By Size | Lone Wolf Business of the Year | Showcasing the remarkable accomplishments of a solo entrepreneur, the Lone Wolf Business of the Year award highlights the dedication, innovation, and achievements of a single individual in establishing and growing their business. | ||
By Size | Micro Business of the Year | An award for the top performer among businesses with fewer than ten employees, the Micro Business of the Year category celebrates the exceptional achievements of a small enterprise with limited resources but boundless potential. | ||
By Size | Mid-Sized Business of the Year | In recognition of the extraordinary accomplishments of a medium-sized enterprise with 10+ employees, the Mid-Sized Business of the Year award honours the company that has demonstrated impressive growth, innovation, and impact on its industry. | ||
Customer and Community | Best Customer Service | Celebrating the company that has delivered exceptional customer service, the Best Customer Service award acknowledges the small business that has consistently exceeded (and demonstrated via reviews or case studies) customer expectations delivering outstanding service quality and commitment to satisfaction. | ||
Customer and Community | Most Positive Impact / CSR | An accolade for the small business that has made the most significant positive impact through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the Most Positive Impact / CSR award recognises the firm’s contributions to its community, environment, and stakeholders. | ||
Customer and Community | Sustainability & Environment | Showcasing a company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices, the Sustainability & Environment award honours the small business that has implemented innovative measures to reduce its ecological footprint and promote sustainable growth. | ||
Customer and Community | Best Communication Award | In recognition of the small business that has excelled in communication, the Best Communication Award celebrates the company’s demonstrated success in building strong connections with its customers/clients, fostering solid relationships, communicating effectively via phone, social media and email, and customer relationship management. | ||
Geography | Best Local Small Business | This award is for the best small business that has made a significant impact on its local community, the Best Local Small Business category acknowledges the company’s contribution to local economic development, job creation, and community initiatives. | ||
Geography | Best National Small Business | An accolade for the small business that has achieved national success, the Best National Small Business award recognises the company’s growth, innovation, and influence across the United Kingdom. | ||
Geography | Best International Small Business | Celebrating the small business with a global footprint, the Best International Small Business award honours the company that has expanded beyond UK borders to achieve success in international markets. | ||
Individuals | Best Newcomer Leadership Award | In recognition of a remarkable start-up or recently appointed founder, CEO or director, the Best Newcomer Leadership award acknowledges the individual’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and ability to drive their company towards success. | ||
Individuals | Small Business Leader of the Year | An award for the small business owner or manager who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, the Small Business Leader of the Year category celebrates the individual’s success in guiding their company to new heights and inspiring their team. | ||
Individuals | Small Consultancy of The Year | Celebrating innovation, resilience, and exceptional client service in a small consultancy of less than 10 staff | ||
Individuals | Rising Star Award | Showcasing an individual with immense potential, the Rising Star Award recognises the accomplishments and future promise of a talented professional in the early stages of their career. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Marketing Campaign | Recognising the most creative, effective and impactful marketing campaign, this category rewards those who demonstrate a strong return on investment, excellent brand awareness and a positive influence on customer behaviour. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Hyperlocal Marketing Campaign | Celebrating the power of community-focused marketing, this accolade honours campaigns that successfully target a specific local audience, resulting in meaningful engagement and measurable business growth in the community. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Social Media Marketing | An award for the most outstanding social media marketing strategy that has achieved extraordinary results in terms of engagement, reach, and conversions, utilising various platforms and creative content to amplify brand presence. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Small Business Website | This award is for small businesses with an exceptional online presence, including user-friendly design, engaging content, and seamless functionality, all contributing to a positive user experience and a strong digital footprint. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Use Of Technology | In recognition of a small business that has harnessed the potential of cutting-edge technology to improve operations, enhance customer experience, and drive growth, this category rewards innovation and forward-thinking. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Most Innovative Small Business | An accolade for the small business that has made significant strides in their industry by introducing new ideas, products, or services, this award celebrates creativity and the ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Mobile Site | Showcasing small businesses with an outstanding mobile website that delivers a seamless, responsive, and enjoyable user experience across various devices, this category recognises excellence in mobile web design and performance. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best App | An award for the most exceptional app developed by a small business, demonstrating innovative features, excellent user interface, and a strong impact on customer engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Live Support System | In recognition of businesses that provide exceptional real-time customer support through live chat, phone, or other digital channels, this category honours those who excel in problem-solving and maintaining strong customer relationships. | ||
Tech & Marketing | Best Cybersecurity & Resilience | An accolade for small businesses demonstrating a robust approach to cybersecurity, proactively safeguarding their digital assets and customer information, and demonstrating resilience in the face of potential cyber threats. | ||
Workplace | Diversity & Inclusion Champion | Celebrating businesses that actively promote diversity and inclusion within their organisation, this award recognises those who create an inclusive work environment, encouraging equal opportunities for all. | ||
Workplace | Best Work Environment | This award is for businesses that have created an exceptional work environment, prioritising employee well-being, fostering positive work culture, and providing a stimulating, supportive space for employees to thrive. | ||
Workplace | Best Training & Development | An award for businesses with outstanding employee training and development programmes, empowering individuals to grow professionally, improve their skills, and contribute to the overall success of the company. | ||
Workplace | Small Family Business of the Year | Showcasing the most successful and inspiring small family-owned businesses, this category recognises those who maintain a strong family ethos, demonstrate excellent business acumen, and contribute positively to their local community. |
If you need any assistance completing this form, please contact us:
Award winning entries typically provide over 500 words providing meaningful and relevant details related to the categories they have entered. Telling us why you are entering these particular categories tends to help. Be specific: for example, if the category is Fastest Growing Company, provide details of how your company has grown and include basic revenue figures (eg. YoY £/%) so we can get a feel for the business growth you’re experiencing. Where possible and relevant to do so, including links to reviews/testimonials and digital assets to support your entry will also help.
EXAMPLE ENTRY:
Small Business of the Year + Sustainability & Environment
Introducing Charming Cheddar Co., a delightful and innovative artisan cheese shop located in the picturesque market town of Whittington, nestled within the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Established in 2019 by the affable Thompson family, Charming Cheddar Co. has gained a devoted following of cheese enthusiasts and casual consumers alike, all captivated by their delectable selection of expertly crafted cheeses and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the shop.
At Charming Cheddar Co., the focus is on marrying traditional cheese-making methods with contemporary innovation. The family prides themselves on their commitment to using locally sourced, organic milk from nearby farms to produce their mouth-watering range of cheeses. The collection boasts a diverse array of flavours, from the rich, creamy “Whittington Wonder” to the zesty “Cotswolds Crumble.” The Thompsons are always experimenting with new and intriguing combinations, such as their wildly popular “Blooming Blueberry Brie.”
The heart and soul of the Charming Cheddar Co. is the Thompson family, who are a true testament to the power of unity and passion. Each family member plays a vital role in the business. The patriarch, Charles Thompson, is the master cheese-maker, drawing on generations of knowledge passed down through his family. His wife, Emily, uses her background in marketing and design to create the brand’s whimsical, vintage-inspired packaging and promotional materials. Their children, Lily and Jack, assist with day-to-day operations and have become social media stars in their own right, with their lively cheese-tasting videos earning thousands of views and likes.
Charming Cheddar Co. has made a significant impact on the local community, creating jobs and contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of Whittington’s high street. The Thompsons are dedicated to supporting other small businesses in the area and have collaborated with a variety of local artisans, from bakers to chocolatiers, to showcase the best of the region’s produce.
Sustainability is a core value for the Thompson family, who work tirelessly to minimise their environmental footprint. The Charming Cheddar Co. uses eco-friendly packaging, including reusable wax wraps and recyclable boxes, and encourages customers to return their containers for a discount on their next purchase. Additionally, the family is committed to reducing food waste, often donating surplus cheese to local food banks and shelters.
In their short time in business, Charming Cheddar Co. has received numerous accolades for the quality and innovation of their cheeses. Their “Whittington Wonder” recently took home the top prize at the prestigious British Cheese Awards, propelling the small shop into the national spotlight. Despite their newfound fame, the Thompson family remains grounded and dedicated to their customers, ensuring that each visitor receives a personalised and memorable experience.
As a testament to their dedication to exceptional customer service, Charming Cheddar Co. offers cheese tastings, workshops, and private events. The shop has become a sought-after destination for tourists and locals alike, with visitors flocking from far and wide to indulge in the Thompsons’ delightful array of cheeses and the unique charm of their shop.
In conclusion, Charming Cheddar Co. embodies the essence of the Small Business of the Year Award. The Thompson family’s commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability, and community engagement sets them apart from their peers and makes Charming Cheddar Co. a truly deserving recipient of this esteemed accolade.
Thank you for choosing Business Awards UK. Please complete the following entry form and supply any additional documents using the file upload section at the end of the form.
Following their “Not So Small Business of the Year” award win in the 2022 Small Business Awards, we quickly realised that our clients could benefit from their valuable service. We are now very proud partners with AddStars, and happily recommend their service with our clients as sponsors of Business Awards UK.
AddStars is a company that provides immense value to the many small to medium businesses we work with, who share our philosophy that all businesses should be able to celebrate their accolades, no matter their size.
AddStars Ltd is a progressive independent company which has developed a simple idea with a huge benefit.
AddStars won’t try to baffle you with endless technical mumbo jumbo. Instead, they prefer to stick to straight-talking and explanations in simple terms that are easy to understand and even easier to put in place.
That’s why everything AddStars does is focused on the needs of small to medium businesses. Their mission is to provide the most affordable way of getting your hard-earned reviews working even harder for you on Google, and driving more prospective customers your way.
Most UK awards out there charge an entry fee (usually £99 - £200+) per category.
With such a high barrier to entry, larger companies are often disproportionately represented.
With Business Awards UK, there's zero risk in taking part. You only pay an Award Acceptance Fee if you win.
We've made the process sleek and simple so you don't have to spend hours on each application.
Just select the categories you're interested in and complete one single submission form. You can also apply for as many categories as you like, and - should you win - choose which awards to accept or decline.
We do not hold an award ceremony. Our award winners tell us this is typically just an added expense for no real gain, with awards companies cashing in on sponsorship from entrants.
Typical expenses are around £199+ per person to attend traditional ceremonies, with costs such as employee time lost, travel, food etc.
Our optional trophies are custom designed, and manufactured by the UK's premier trophy companies.
All trophies are personalised with your company and/or individual winner's name, delivered free of charge to UK Mainland addresses.
All award holders receive free digital badges to share on websites, email and social media.
There’s absolutely nothing to pay! Only entries that subsequently win the top award within their category will be charged. Finalist (runners up) awards will be offered for each category free of charge.
We encourage companies from all over the world to enter our awards, but you must do a significant amount of business with UK based companies to qualify. If we need to ask you any questions during judging, we’ll contact you via email to confirm the above.
There is no official limit on the amount of awards or award categories you can enter. Increase your chances of winning by applying for multiple awards and award categories.
In order to reduce bias on our part, we don’t run awards in areas / sectors in which we may have a commercial interest.
Our private and public judging panel is composed of internal staff, guest/external industry experts. All judges need to declare any possible conflict of interest.
We follow a stringent scoring process which has been carefully designed to ensure entries are judged fairly and consistently within each category.
We are constantly reviewing our practices and procedures to further strengthen the process.
In April 2023, our public judges panel was launched.
We score entries on a number of areas but the key criteria is how different you are from others in your sector. We also check if an example/review/testimonial/case study is provided, quality of example provided and validity.
The best way to stand out is to be as succinct as possible while providing enough detail, with a specific example related to category.
If you win an award we’ll send you a private email (ahead of the official announcement) congratulating you on your achievement.
You will receive a link to an Award Acceptance Form where you can accept or decline your awards and select trophies.
We can only announce you as a winner if you accept the award and agree to be invoiced for your Award Acceptance Fee.
We will send you a NET 30 invoice for any fees. The invoice includes our bank details and options to pay by all major credit / debit cards using PayPal or Stripe.
No, we do not offer discounts on Award Acceptance Fees. To make our programme fair to all, we have a strict policy regarding discounts. Any sector specific, sponsor related or seasonal offers will be communicated to your privately.
The applications deadline will be announced and when this is reached, no additional applications will be accepted.
In most cases, the awards will be announced 30 days after the final deadline date.
We frequently launch new awards across additional sectors. The deadlines and scheduling may be different depending on the award so please visit the relevant award page or Shortlist page for more information, or shoot us an email/Live Chat message!
Trophies: We ship all trophies FREE to UK Mainland within 2 – 4 weeks of received payment. We are unable to ship any trophies until full payment of the invoice has been received. This is to prevent fraudulent use of the trophy and award. Any errors will be responded to within 24hrs of receipt of complaint, and trophies will be remade/resent (at our cost) should a trophy be received in error. Please note: remanufacture and redelivery can take up to 7 days.
You’ll only get an award if you deserve it (after all entries have been assessed and compared against our scoring matrix).
Even if you’re the only entry in a particular award category, we won’t automatically give you the award – we’d invite additional entries instead.
We’ll never accept any money or offer of payment upfront (before you are offered the award).
Yes. The prices displayed on the website are ex VAT. VAT will be charged at the point of payment.
We consulted some of the UK’s leading accountants, and the general consensus is YES – you can claim business awards as a deductible marketing expense! You can read more here: Entering or Winning Business Awards – The Tax Advantages
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