The 2016 Winners & Finalists

Ashridge Executive Education Leader of the Year Award

Ashridge Executive Education Leader of the Year Award is the highest accolade to be presented at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards and will go to an exemplary leader who has successfully led a strategy for outstanding performance.

  • Rooney Anand | Winner 2016
  • Peter Cruddas
  • Andrew Davies
  • Liv Garfield

The Customer Focus Award

Celebrating those organisations demonstrating the link between customer service and profit, the KPMG Customer Focus Award recognises those constantly striving to exceed customer expectations, industry-leading standards of service, and innovation around customer experience.

The New Entrepreneur of the Year

Celebrating the potential that exists within leaders of the UK’s most promising start-ups. We focus on the market opportunity identified, the model to capitalise on it, and how it has been executed within the first 18 months of trading.

The Howard Kennedy Employer of the Year

Celebrating organisations seeing the best return on an investment in people, this Award recognises the employee strategy that best attracts retains and develops talent – and how it contributes to sustainable growth and being an employer of choice.

The Inflexion Entrepreneur of the Year

Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, this Award recognises an enterprising individual who has achieved sustained levels of growth and strong financial performance through a culture of innovation, resilience and an ethos of inspiring others through their leadership style. 

The Samsung Innovation Award

This award recognises the company that successfully applies any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation or industry. 

The Lloyds Bank Mid-Market of the Year Award

Celebrating the contribution of mid-market businesses to the UK economy, this Award recognises businesses who continue to build on their success. Open to any publicly-listed company with a turnover of between £25m to £500m.

The Lloyds Bank New Business of the Year Award

This award recognises those that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show a significance within the industry they are operating in. The winning entry will demonstrate their business concept has met and overcome challenges, adopt a clear understanding of the market they operate in and have the foundations in place for continued success and potential expansion.

The Lloyds Bank Positive Social Impact Award

The Positive Social Impact Award celebrates the organisations bringing their values to life through a range of social impact initiatives.

Recognising those achieving social impact through partnership, investment, pro-bono work, or employee led initiatives.

The Lloyds Bank Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

Celebrating the contribution of SMEs to the UK economy, this Award recognises those who have maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understands its customer, has an engaged workforce with effective leadership, and is continually innovating to support future growth. 

The QBE Business Insurance New Exporter of The Year Award

Recognising British businesses that have achieved the highest and most sustainable levels of international growth through exporting in the last 18 months, this Award focuses on all aspects of exporting and is looking for sustainable exporting models and innovative practices.

The Smith & Williamson Scale-Up Business of the Year

Recognising a market leading increase in sales, headcount, profitability, market share or geographical expansion over the last three years, this Award will go to the business demonstrating the highest levels of growth and a robust plan for sustainable financial performance. 

The Vonage Business Enabler of the Year Award

This award celebrates organisations that help businesses to increase profitability by improving efficiency, developing talent and implementing innovation, recognising the impact of ‘enablers’ that offer value beyond support products and services. 

The University Entrepreneurship

This award recognises the work of universities to encourage, prepare and enable entrepreneurial opportunities, distinguishing those doing and delivering most.

The Business Award for Arts and Creative Services

New for 2016, this award celebrates organisations whose primary function is the delivery, development or production of the arts and Creative Services and the contribution the arts industry makes to the UK economy.

The Grichan Partnership Sustainable Business Award

This award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate an outstanding commitment to sustainability.

Judges will look for evidence of how a sustainable approach has improved commercial performance, competitiveness, customer perception, staff engagement, and continued financial strength.

The KPMG Customer Focus Award

Celebrating those organisations demonstrating the link between customer service and profit, the KPMG Customer Focus Award recognises those constantly striving to exceed customer expectations, industry-leading standards of service, and innovation around customer experience.

The Amazon Digital Business of the Year

This Award recognises those best optimising all aspects of eCommerce to achieve growth and strong financial performance through exceptional customer experience.

Judges will look for evidence of exceptional delivery, site engagement & functionality, security, innovation, ethical practice and sales growth.