In all areas of public life, the recognition of professional achievements is always appreciated. Business awards are one of the best ways of recognising this achievement and are a feat that every modern business should strive for, as it provides them with an array of tangible, and intangible benefits.
Participation in business awards is not about chasing a statuette, it’s about getting recognition from those who form public opinion, and from experts in various professional fields. This is a public gesture of a bright self-sufficient personality, on which the positioning of the company and the strengthening of the personal brand of its leader depend.
Even to just be nominated is a manifestation of strong business leadership: there is a VIP composition of guests at business awards, and the ability to present oneself competently and to stand out among competitors, can strengthen one’s level of significance.
The top business awards in the UK span across a plethora of industries, allowing for the recognition of many different departments, organisations, and people.
In this article, we have collated a list of the top business awards in the UK based on the size of the business, as well as the global impact they entail.
Internationally Acclaimed Business Awards
The opportunity to have the achievements of your business showcased and appreciated on a global scale is something that each business should strive for. Below we have provided a list of the UK’s most celebrated and internationally acclaimed business awards.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is one of the most prestigious awards for British businesses and is often regarded as the globally recognized royal seal of approval for British companies.
The Queen of Industry Award, the scheme’s original name, was established by the Royal Warrant in 1965, with the first awards announced in 1966.
Since its inception in 1965, more than 7,000 companies have received the Queen’s Prize. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognizes excellence in four categories:
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- International Trade
- Promoting Opportunity Development
Chamber Business Awards
The Chamber Business Awards is a renowned business event that recognises the achievements and accomplishments of businesses within the Chamber of Commerce Network. Hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce, this UK business award unites thousands of UK businesses of all shapes and sizes to connect, network, and celebrate key achievements in the world of global trade.
The event is held annually with the support of 53 Accredited Chambers that represent various UK regions. To be eligible for a nomination, your business must first be a part of the Chamber of Commerce Network.
UK Business Awards (The Dons)
The UK Business Awards is United Kingdom’s flagship business award and is considered one of the most credible awards in the UK for all organisations, regardless of size, industry, and people.
An annual event, this award spans 26 categories which bring to the spotlight various organisations that have excelled in their industries and displayed outstanding innovation, resilience, and growth.
Awards for Large Businesses
Businesses of all shapes and sizes must have the opportunity to be awarded for their achievements, however, to sustain an even playing field, business awards are often divided by company size.
We have provided a handful of UK business awards which are at the forefront of acknowledging the achievements of large businesses.
Deloitte Technology Fast 50
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 award recognizes outstanding technological achievement in the UK. Being on the awarding list recognises business growth, innovative approach, and entrepreneurial potential.
To be included in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list, businesses must have existed for at least five years, have $5 million in revenue, be headquartered in the UK, have proprietary technologies, and conduct research and development in the UK.
A jury of industry experts evaluates companies based on four factors:
- Competitive advantages
- Size, growth, and market activity
- The efficiency of management and organization
- Financial performance
PLC Awards
The PLC Awards were created in 1987 and are celebrated annually with a focus on UK businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange. A respected business award that provides FTSE100, FTSE250, and FTSE Small Cap companies the opportunity to be rewarded across a multitude of specialised categories.
The event operates on a nomination-based process and is panelled by prominent industry leaders, company chairmen, investment bankers, and fund managers.
Awards for Small Businesses
It wouldn’t be fair to limit high-profile business awards to only large businesses that are turning over millions of pounds per year. The spotlight must also be set on small businesses, as they are the entities that are shaping the future of business and paving the way for innovation.
FSB Awards
The FSB Awards is one of the largest corporate awards for small businesses and self-employed individuals across the UK. Established in 2005, the awards praise small businesses for their disruptive accomplishments, exponential growth, and unrivalled company cultures.
All small businesses and self-employed individuals are open to apply for the FSB Awards. Once an application is made, their businesses will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts, assessing each business based on specific frameworks.
Growing Business Awards
The Growing Business Awards is a highly accredited award that focuses primarily on SMEs, entrepreneurs, and high-growth businesses across the UK. Businesses lucky enough to receive a nomination must show exceptional growth or innovation within their industries.
Created in 1998, the Growing Business Awards present awards across 27 different categories in areas such as HR, innovation, R&D, and technology.
British Small Business Awards
Organised by British Small Business Awards with the likes of HSBC and Lloyds banking as sponsors, this accredited business award highlights key achievements and innovations made by small to medium-sized businesses in the UK.
Businesses must be nominated for an award, which spans various categories and industries, including Micro Business of the Year, Retailer of the Year, and Business Lender of the Year.
Why Should a Business Strive for an Award?
Participation in business awards opens a wide springboard for interaction with partners, clients, and investors. There is a great opportunity to talk about your story, discuss business development issues, demonstrate experience, and share achievements – strengthening your status and confirming your authority.
If you are lucky enough to win an award, depending on how prestigious the award is, it can be a seal of approval for your business. Your workforce, customers, partners, suppliers, and other key stakeholders will view the business with more respect and take it more seriously.
Promotion of your Brand
Business awards can create free or low-cost PR and marketing. Being included in the list of nominees can increase brand awareness and attract new customers. However, winning an award can take it to the next step and opens the door to significant media attention, new business agreements, and countless opportunities.
Confirmation of One’s Status & Strengthening of Leadership Positions
Business awards turn laureates into leaders, and companies into strong, reputable entities. Receiving an award can strengthen a business’s market position by bringing a spotlight to its high-quality services and brand – opening exciting new business opportunities.
As a universal rule, the best and most purposeful are always awarded. Recognition of one’s achievements by experts stimulates one to move at a given level, to leadership in one’s field.
Opportunity to Grow your Business
One of the best ways to connect with potential clients and investors is through business awards. They lend credibility to your brand or company, validate your skills and abilities, and give those who spend money with your company confidence that they are contributing to an already successful project or product.
Establishing harmonious relations between business and society, and popularising entrepreneurship are the most important tasks that are successfully solved by business awards today and will be solved in the future.
Moreover, business awards can help with recruitment. Being nominated or winning an award can help a business attract the best talent in the industry because everyone wants to work for the winner.
A Reflection of the UK’s Top Business Awards
The UK is enshrined in leading businesses that are innovating the world and reaching extraordinary heights that were previously unknown to us. The country is saturated by various industry leaders who are accomplishing so much for society and growth, so it only makes sense to be complemented by a breadth of business awards that span a wide range of categories.
Awards are pivotal for businesses, as they can essentially be used as a tool for systematic self-development, improvement of company activities, and competitiveness.
Being nominated for an award allows you to evaluate your business not only from the inner side but even ‘deeper’: how your clients and customers relate to you, what is the vision of partners, how the professional community will evaluate it, what practical benefits the company provides and what stands out.
As a result, you will get a comprehensive and objective perspective on the many different facets affecting your business.
Each business has its ambitions and perspective on business awards, however, after reading this article we hope that you have gotten a better picture of the top UK business awards and the importance that they have for all types of businesses.