19 February 2020

Start your entry: the 2020 awards are now open

The time has come to enter the 19th Lloyds Bank National Business Award and put your business success story centre stage.

If your business or an outstanding individual has achieved something special over the last 18 months—whether that’s innovative use of data, exceptional employment practice or sustained growth—you can enter one of the 14 categories listed below:

1. The Lloyds Bank Exporter of the Year Award

2. The Lloyds Bank Mid-Market Business of the Year

3. The Lloyds Bank New Business of the Year Award

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

5. The Lloyds Bank Positive Social Impact Award

6. The Castle Corporate Finance Scale-Up Business of the Year

7. The Experian Data Excellence Award

8. The Give a Grad a Go Employer of the Year

9. The Inflexion Entrepreneur of the Year

10. The Virgin Atlantic Customer Experience & Loyalty Award

11. The Artificial Intelligence Award

12. The LDC Growth Through Innovation Award

13. The New Entrepreneur of the Year Award

14. The Business Enabler of the Year Award

A final 15th award is for The Leader of the Year. The highest accolade in the National Business Awards programme, this award recognises the personal impact of the UK’s most high-profile leader on the culture and success of their organisation. Five CEOs will be personally invited to participate as industry champions from the private, public and third sectors and the winner will be presented on the night.

Previous winners include Timpson CEO James Timpson, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Carolyn McCall and Moya Greene (former CEOs of Virgin Money, easyJet and Royal Mail, respectively).

“With 14 categories, the awards allow any successful organisation to tell their story, from large private and public companies to thriving entrepreneurial businesses, promising start-ups and established SMEs. When it comes to business recognition, the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards are the ones to win,” said Sarah Austin, Awards Director.

“All companies within the UK, whether public, private or third sector, are welcome—indeed positively encouraged—to enter this year’s awards programme, regardless of size, location or industry sector. In fact, it is the diversity and range of our applicants, finalists and winners that makes this programme such a very special celebration of UK business.

“Winning a Lloyds Bank National Business Award comes with significant business benefits, including increased brand awareness and reputation among customers and partners, valuable insight into best practice and employee recognition and retention.”

"We are proud to be the headline sponsors of the National Business Awards again this year, as part of our support for British enterprise. These awards celebrate the accomplishments of British businesses, the people driving them forward and the vital role they play in supporting our economy," said Paul Gordon, Managing Director of SME and Mid Corporates at Lloyds Bank. 

The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards ceremony will take place on 10 November at Grosvenor House Hotel. The glittering black-tie gala evening is an incredible opportunity to network, exchange ideas and celebrate with 1,200 of the UK’s top business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and media representatives.

Start your entry today and secure your place at the UK’s most prestigious awards programme. The Earlybird Rate—giving you £100 off your entry fee—lasts until 24 April, but you have until 5 June to complete your entry.