In March 2023, the UK Small Business Awards 2022 were announced. The awards acknowledge and honour exceptional accomplishments by small businesses throughout the United Kingdom. The awards recognise the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by these enterprises. With more than 120 nominated companies representing diverse sectors, the contest was highly competitive. The private panel of judges, drawn from various business sectors by Business Awards UK, have declared winners and finalists in all categories.
The UK Small Business Awards 2022 showcase the hard work, resilience and incredible achievements of small businesses and highlight their contribution to the UK economy.
Small Business of the Year 2022 – Kington Deluxe Toilet Hire
The Winner of Small Business Of The Year 2022 was Kington Deluxe Toilet Hire. With a strong family-oriented business culture, the company demonstrated excellence in adaptability and resilience, pivoting their business model during the pandemic, and disrupting the TV industry by providing luxury toilet trailers. Congratulations to Steve, Jo and the team at Kington!
Small Business Awards 2022 Winners List
Best Hyperlocal Marketing Campaign – 4PAWSRAW
Based in Pocklington, 4PAWSRAW went above and beyond to support their local customers during the COVID pandemic by delivering free of charge and carrying out non-contact drop offs. The company’s commitment to customer service and support during a difficult time is highly commendable, with a solid returning customer base that has enabled them to grow throughout 2022.
Not So Small Business of the Year – AddStars
AddStars has been providing its services to businesses of all sizes, and its innovative platform allows businesses to collect and display customer reviews on Google SERPs, which can significantly boost their online visibility and reputation. AddStars continues to grow their business and platform, providing innovative review management solutions to businesses across the UK. Through communicating with leadership at AddStars, Business Awards UK saw an opportunity to highlight the company’s services as part of a comprehensive partnership deal which will roll out in 2023.
Best Cybersecurity & Resilience – AY&J Solicitors
AY&J Solicitors’ dedication to protecting their data through a comprehensive and proactive approach to cybersecurity is impressive. They use dedicated firewalls, encryption, and regularly backup data, as well as conduct regular vulnerability assessments, as well as providing security training to employees. Their use of incident response and business continuity plans, and a dedicated cybersecurity team, makes them highly deserving for the Best Cybersecurity & Resilience award.
Micro Business of the Year – Bailey Dean
This consulting firm has made a significant impact by providing practical support and aggressive growth plans for small businesses in the Bristol area. Their disruptive business model provides large consulting firm services at a fraction of the cost and their approach of providing physical support rather than advice is unique.
Best Small International Business – BioStrata
BioStrata’s “3 Ps” business model, with People, Purpose, and Profit in that order, shows that by supporting the team, they can achieve their purpose of bringing 100 game-changing scientific offerings to market by 2023 by doing a great job for their life science clients, which in turn brings in the profits needed to further invest in their people and work.
Best Small Local Business – Brightstar Boxing
Brighstar uses boxing education and mentoring to help transform the lives of young people who have been through trauma. The approach of being young person led, with a youth voice forum that makes decisions on the program, is commendable. The company’s success in improving 77% of peoples mental health in the first 12 weeks is truly impressive.
Best Team Training & Development & Best Mobile Site – Carbon Global
Carbon Global have implemented a multidimensional approach to innovation and have achieved significant revenue growth for their clients. They have a strong culture of integrity, valuing human first, collegiality, and hard work.
Best Newcomer CEO / Director – Cheryl Watt, CC Cocktails
Cheryl has demonstrated exceptional innovation by creating a menu of over 50 unique cocktails, showing dedication and hard work as a lone wolf. CC Cocktails’ agile model involved obtaining the necessary qualifications and licenses to enter the events and drinks industry, and strong use of digital channels through effective social media advertising, further cementing them as a contender in this competitive space.
Most Innovative Small Business – Conte.ai
Conte.ai have developed an innovative online service that provides high-quality content drafting for small businesses based on a limited budget. They have grown rapidly since their launch, and have a unique system that combines a talented team with AI-powered tools.
Lone Wolf Business of the Year – CT Medical Sales
The founder’s resilience and determination to succeed is absolutely commendable. Drawing from experience in the medical sales industry, CT Medical Supplies showed determination and industry acumen, being awarded a distributorship from a Swiss company and thriving despite being set up during a difficult time in the UK.
Best Marketing Campaign – DayOne Design
This Kent-based graphic design agency that has used targeted marketing and grassroots word-of-mouth to win contracts with some of the best-known and loved institutions, such as Fujifilm, the Aspinall’s Foundation, Shepherd Neame, and the Marlowe Theatre. They have also made strides to ensure their customer service is second to none and their carbon footprint is offset entirely using an Ecologi Membership.
Most Positive Impact / CSR and Sustainability & Environment – Eco Kaila
Eco Kaila have been recognised for their ability to create a sustainable clothing brand, helping to reduce the effects of climate change from fashion. Their model focuses on shopping responsibly with recycled eco-clothing today, funding Ocean-bound plastic collection, essential tree plantation and now ensuring wildlife habitation.
Best Work Environment and Best Newcomer Small Business – First Thought Care Services
First Thought Care Services demonstrated a commitment to utilising funds to improve the lives of those they support, and have also worked to improve the employee experience. They have a unique and innovative approach to care services by providing staff with access to a variety of activities and on-site perks, including a private psychiatrist and psychologist. They also have an employee of the month scheme with generous rewards.
Best Small Business Website – Game Swap Shop UK
Game Swap Shop UK is disrupting the traditional way of buying and selling second-hand games by creating a platform for direct peer-to-peer trading. They have created a unique video game swapping web app that allows UK based gamers to connect and easily swap games. They have a free version and a premium version, with proceeds from the premium version going to Great Ormond Street Hospital. They have already raised a significant amount for the hospital and saved members over £1million.
Small Business Disruptor Of The Year and CEO / Director of the Year – Jawad Kursheed & Hydrogen Vehicle Systems
HVS is disrupting the commercial vehicle industry by being the first to market with the most advanced, all-new zero-emission HGV. Their leading edge in hydrogen-electric vehicle design and their cutting-edge solutions that will decarbonise one of the heaviest polluting sectors worldwide makes them a disruptive player in the industry, and their leadership ensures their vision is delivered.
Best Use of Technology – Kaina Group
The Shapp platform is innovative and addresses a real need in the market, allowing local businesses to compete more effectively against larger chains by offering an efficient delivery infrastructure and ordering platform. The platform has the potential to support economic growth and job creation in local communities by enabling businesses to expand their reach and access new customers through online ordering and delivery.
Triumph Over Adversity Award – Lakes Medics
Despite significant obstacles, Lakes Medics have demonstrated remarkable strength and determination in developing the business and its strong ethical foundation and mission statement. The fact that the company has emerged from personal adversity and has been able to achieve such success is a testament to the incredible tenacity and resilience of its founders.
Best Small Business To Work For – MCR Gas
MCR Gas demonstrate a dedication to employee health and wellbeing by understanding the needs of their staff and working hard to meet them. They have a culture of supporting employees when they need time off and provide access to chiropractic appointments, on-call engineers are given grace the following day. With a work culture designed so staff feel confident in expressing their needs, their standards are deserving of recognition.
Best Social Media Marketing Campaign – Mode For…
Mode For… streamlined their business to focus on a portfolio of five areas they are passionate about, each focused on wellness and mental health, one of which being a philanthropic part of the business which provides free mental health training to support the wellness and mental health of brass band musicians. The owner, Tabby, invested in her business and took a Masters in Positive Psychology to develop a brand new PERFORM framework which is designed to further help people perform through wellness and mental health. The business is conveyed strategically and regularly on social media, with incredible engagement and growth.
Best Customer Service – NextEra
NextEra have achieved significant revenue growth despite starting in the midst of a global pandemic. They have grown to become a small but successful recruitment business, highly focused on the care of clients and candidates. This award is given for their development skills in clients’ apps.
Best App – Probably Rational
Probably Rational are a leading small software development agency that specialise in creating cross-platform apps for both iOS and Android. They have been recognized as the “Best Mobile Software Development Company” two years in a row by SMENews in the Midlands Enterprise Awards.
All Round Hero and Rising Star Award – Trevor Gomes, RISE Coaching & Mentoring
Trevor Gomes, who was named as one of the Royal Greenwich Business Young Entrepreneurs in 2021, has demonstrated his ingenuity and inventiveness by establishing a business that aids numerous young people annually by means of the ELEVATE Youth Mentoring Programme’s voluntary component.
Best Small Business Transformation – Selina Allen, Business Coach
Selina has successfully rebuilt and diversified business offerings after a major setback, and has achieved significant growth in a short period of time, including as well as onboarding a significant number of clients each month. Selina emphasises helping other people achieve their goals as part of her business model, which is highly commendable.
Still Small Business of the Year – Cherishkeepsakes
Cherishkeepsakes has demonstrated impressive achievements borne from entrepreneurial spirit. The owner takes on all aspects of the business, including designing and managing their social media presence, interacting with customers, and even handling postal runs. This individual’s determination, perseverance, and business acumen embodies the Business Awards UK criteria.
Diversity & Inclusion Champion and Smallish Business of the Year – The Fertility Coaching Company
The Fertility Coaching Company are on a mission to help workplaces become more fertility inclusive and has launched a CPD accredited Fertility Awareness course for Line Managers and DEI professionals, with a focus on accessibility, affordability, and representation of all fertility journeys.
Fastest Growing Small Business and Best Small National Business – WorkFlow Services
WorkFlow Services Ltd is a highly deserving candidate for a business award due to their exceptional growth and success within the construction, engineering, and utilities sectors. Over the past 18 months, this ambitious professional services firm has expanded its team from just five employees to an impressive forty. This achievement is a testament to the company’s strong leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to delivering high-quality services to its clients. Moreover, their submitted financial performance was impressive, and their exponential growth is a clear indication of their hard work, expertise, and commitment to excellence.
Small Business Awards 2022 Finalist List:
- All Round Hero – Russell Shaw, Seashaw’s Fish & Chips
- Best App Finalist – 92 Degrees
- Best Customer Service and Best Small Business Website Finalist – EpsilonR
- Best Marketing Campaign & Best Hyperlocal Marketing Campaign Finalist – Ooh-la-lashes
- Best Newcomer CEO / Director Finalist – Laura Till, AMBITION Sports Coaching
- Best Newcomer Small Business and Micro Business of the Year Finalist – The Giftie Company
- Best Newcomer Small Business Finalist – Strawberry Patch Crafters
- Best Small Business To Work For Finalist – Ministry of Fish
- Best Small Business Transformation Finalists – The Fertility Coaching Company & Venus Health And Beauty
- Best Small Local Business Finalist – Aberdeen Diving Services
- Best Small Local Business, Best Small National Business and Best Small Business To Work For Finalist – First Thought Care Services
- Best Small National Business Finalist – Game Swap Shop UK
- Best Team Training & Development, Best Small International Business & Most Innovative Small Business Finalist – AY&J Solicitors
- Best Use Of Technology and Not so Small Business of the Year Finalist – Conte.ai
- Best Use Of Technology Finalist – Privatal
- Best Work Environment Finalist – Anita Dance Studio & Muddy Pawz
- CEO / Directors of the Year Finalists – Charlie & Harry Meer-Siposki, The Pizza Post & Paula Pidd & Keith Pidd, Ebor Home Care
- Diversity & Inclusion Champion & Small Business Disruptor Of The Year Finalist – We Are Ludo
- Diversity & Inclusion Champion Finalist – Baraka Translations
- Fastest Growing Small Business and Triumph Over Adversity Finalist – Kington Deluxe Toilet Hire
- Fastest Growing Small Business Finalist – Talent Locker
- Lone Wolf Business of the Year Finalists – The Furniture Narrative & Mode For…
- Micro Business of the Year, Best Hyperlocal Marketing Campaign, & Still Small Business of the Year Finalist – DayOne Design
- Rising Star Award – Anthony Thornley, DayOne Design Kent
- Rising Star Award – Royale Johnson, PRYA
- Most Innovative Small Business and Best Mobile Site Finalist – Mini Off-Rovers
- Most Positive Impact / CSR Finalists – Box Power & TBSport
- Not so Small Business of the Year Finalist – BioStrata
- Small Business Disruptor Of The Year Finalist – Box Power
- Small Business Of The Year and Best Customer Service Finalist – VIP Powdercoating
- Small Business Of The Year and Sustainability & Environment Finalist – Ride Electric
- Small Business Website, Best Mobile Site Finalist – PRYA
- Smallish Business of the Year Finalists – Aristo Sourcing & Connectment
- Still Small Business of the Year Finalist – Diadem Business Consulting
- Sustainability & Environment Finalist – GOplastic
- Triumph Over Adversity Award Finalist – Razzamataz Theatre School
Small Business People’s Choice Award
The Small Business People’s Choice Award was awarded to TORI Global, who were nominated by a number of clients in the Financial Services industry, for providing results-focused advisory services that improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.
A word from the Directors
Business Awards UK’s Director, Dan Trindade, said “Following an incredible growth over the 2021 awards, we saw an impressive number of entrants from a variety of sectors. Judging was extremely difficult, and each and every finalist and winner is well deserved. These are the UK’s most innovative, determined and hard working small businesses that are the backbone of the economy. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, these companies have shown their fortitude and dedication to both staff and clients/customers alike. We are proud to be associated with all winners and finalists, and we are thankful they gave us the opportunity to spotlight their achievements.”
Co-Director, Mark Byrne, also added, “Business Awards UK now has the opportunity to give back even more to the UK business community, thanks to the support of our entrants. We have extensive plans to roll out new award sectors, a business networking and community portal, and a raft of publicity packages for every winner and finalist. Our awards are unlike competitor programs, in that we focus on benefits we can provide to our entrants, rather than how much revenue we can make on awards ceremonies, trophies and sponsorship.”
Small Business Awards 2023
The Small Business Awards 2023 are now open!
