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The 2019 Shortlist

Vendor Categories

Business Categories

Accountancy Software Provider of the Year

This category will recognise the accountancy software provider that best suits the needs of SMEs, with the judges considering level of innovation, impressive customer care, value for money, and a product that best assists small companies with managing their finances

Shortlist

Crunch
FreeAgent
Harmony PSA
MPA
Xero
Zoho Corporation

Accounts and Tax Adviser of the Year

The judges will look for the accountancy/tax advisory firm that has gone the furthest to target and help smaller companies, with quality of client service, value for money and SME-focused initiatives being prime considerations.

Shortlist

Clear House Accountants
flinder effect limited
Lawrence Grant Chartered Accountants
Makesworth Accountants
Mazuma
PRIMOtax Limited

Alternative Finance Provider of the Year

The judges will assess online finance providers such as crowdfunding sites and peer-to-peer lenders. They will look for the operators most notable in financing small companies, considering factors such as volume of funds provided, innovative services and a dedicated SME offering.

Shortlist

365 Business Finance
Coinrule
LendingCrowd
Nucleus Commercial Finance
Propio

Business Bank Account Provider of the Year

For this category, the judges will look for the banking operator with the best business bank accounts for smaller companies, taking into consideration quality of customer service and SME-focused initiatives.

Shortlist

Handelsbanken
HSBC
Lloyds
Metro Bank
Starling
TSB

Business Lender of the Year

This award recognises the lending institution, whether a bank or solely online provider, that has best addressed the needs of smaller businesses, with the judges considering factors such as access to and supply of debt, customer service and SME-focused initiatives.

Shortlist

365 Business Finance
LendingCrowd
Nucleus Commercial Finance
Ultimate Finance Group

Insurance Provider of the Year

This category will recognise the insurance provider that best addresses the needs of SMEs, with the judges considering quality of service, value for money and breadth of cover

Shortlist

AXA
HISCOX
Direct Line Business
Simply Business
Zurich Insurance

Technology Provider of the Year

This category rewards the technology provider that has placed an SME service at the heart of its offering, displaying innovation, impressive customer care and a product to help small companies run efficiently and grow.

Shortlist

AccountancyManager
BrightHR
CleanCloud
Ebuyer UK LTD
EKO UK LIMITED
Handepay
Netstar IT Support
PragmatiQ Solutions
Proximity Insight
Tapoly Ltd

 

The Better Business Award

Open to companies that have implemented procedures to ensure that they operate more efficiently, for example through the use of computer software or technology that improves product design. Judges will consider technology employed and evidence of success in improving business procedures. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

Ademchic Ltd
EWOOD MOT & SERVICE CENTRE
Fennies Nurseries Ltd
Harmony PSA
Keel Over Marketing
Making Moves London Ltd
Network Scientific Ltd
Process Bliss
Upturn Limited
Westmorland Homecare

 

BAME Business Award

Open to companies that have been set up by black, asian or minority ethnic or culturally diverse business owners. Judges will assess any unique aspects of the business, why it was set up, chal-lenges faced and what ethnic and cultural elements have improved success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

AMSCHELA LTD
bMoneywize Ltd
Burton Blackmore International
Gemini Parking Solutions
HUA! Kitchen LTD
Hussain Architecture
Impetors Limited
Kazient Privacy Experts
The Link Commercial Development LTD
The Unmistakables

 

Business Advocate of the Year

Open to business owners who have gone above and beyond to promote their sector or industry. Judges will pay attention to level of engagement on a range of issues, interaction with national and international organisations as well as impact made. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

Mackenzie Brook – ENCO Ltd
Costas Constantino – FlashPark
Ben Thompson – Thompson & Terry Recruitment
Simon Firth – Clear Reach
Estelle Keeber and Leona Burton – Mums in Business Association
William Griffin – Griffins Automotive ltd
Poonam Kaur – fds Director Services
Georgina Mitchell – Ambitions Gymnastics
Robbie Steeles – Secure Healthcare Solutions
Jarmila Yu – YUnique Marketing Ltd

 

 

E-commerce Platform of the Year

Open to companies who feel their e-commerce platform offers a leading edge e-commerce solution. Judges will assess content, ease of use, unique facilities, level of customer interaction and service. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

Avasam
Flooring365
OTTY Sleep
ProtectBox
Space Between
Tancream LTD
Timpanys

 

Female Business Owner Award (Digital Communications)

This award will recognise the female leader of a company in the digital communications sector with less than 50 total staff that has been an instrumental figurehead, driving impressive revenue growth and building a strong market presence for her business.

Shortlist

Samantha Charles – Float Digital
Sara Tomaszewska – Little Media Agency Ltd
Emma-Louise Gillies – Make a Cup of Tea Ltd
Sue Keogh – Sookio
Daphne Metland – Thrive

 

Female Business Owner (Fashion)

This award will recognise the female leader of a company in the fashion sector with less than 50 total staff that has been an instrumental figurehead, driving impressive revenue growth and building a strong market presence for her business.

Shortlist

Be Gorgeous Styles By Mimmie
Amanda Clews – Bhost
Cara Squire – Charms So Charming
Jo Tutchener-Sharp – Scamp & Dude
Collette Larsson – Toodle Pip

Female Business Owner Award (Health & Wellness)

This award will recognise the female leader of a company in the health & wellness sector with less than 50 total staff that has been an instrumental figurehead, driving impressive revenue growth and building a strong market presence for her business.

Shortlist

Emma Selby – Digital Mentality
Harriet Charter – Harriet Charter Beauty
Frankie Paterson & Eleanor Harris – Magic Words Therapy
Michelle Grey – Minchellas
Geeta Sidhu-Robb – Nosh Detox
Charlotte Hutchinson – Personal Best Sports Therpay
Lily Boulle – Sleep Siren
Faye Jobbins – Tikiboo
Victoria Mannering – Victory Fitness

Most Innovative Business Idea (General)

Open to companies who feel they have a product or service that has helped change the business sector they are involved in. This could be by providing a unique solution to problem; a service that has helped eliminate or reduce timescales and bureaucracy or simply a product or service that currently has no or little competition. Judges will consider the role of the product or service, its impact and evidence of success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

City Relay
Hawkshead Relish
Principled Storage
Process Bliss
Sole Bliss Ltd.
The Sole Supplier

Most Innovative Business Idea (Health & Wellness)

Open to companies who feel they have a product or service that has helped change the health & wellness sector. This could be by providing a unique solution to problem; a service that has helped eliminate or reduce timescales and bureaucracy or simply a product or service that currently has no or little competition. Judges will consider the role of the product or service, its impact and evidence of success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

Get A Drip
London Senior Social
Love From Shetland
Nutri-Genetix
The Healthy Bites

Most Innovative Business Idea (Tech)

Open to companies who feel they have a product or service that has helped change the tech sector. This could be by providing a unique solution to problem; a service that has helped eliminate or reduce timescales and bureaucracy or simply a product or service that currently has no or little competition. Judges will consider the role of the product or service, its impact and evidence of success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

TaxScouts
Medopad
Innovative Physics Limited
Streetbees
Hudson Procurement Group
Secrutiny
2DegreesKelvin Ltd
Vectare Limited
Take 1 Video

 

Sustainable Business Practice Award

Open to companies who have put in place strategies to ensure that they are setting up a business with a view to ensure more efficient use of our planet. This could be from ensuring the provenance of supplies and suppliers, solutions to waste to reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Judges will look at the level of sustainability, how it is monitored and levels of success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250

Shortlist

Achilleos Energy Assessors
Brooks & Sharpe
Button and Sprung
Espresso Solutions
FLUX Undies
Griffin Narrowboat Holidays
in2eco Digital Marketing
Naturaw
SRL Publishing
SunGift Solar Limited

 

Technology Business of the Year

Shortlist

Amica Smart Homes
Chipside Ltd
Shoptimised
KFP Total IT Solutions
Genius Technology Solutions
Xigen

 

The Work/Life Balance Award

Open to companies who have made efforts to ensure that staff have a better work/life balance through more flexible working options, parental or carers leave, or are encouraging better mental health programmes and support. Judges will look at the policies put in place, take up, and how it is improving well being, as well as overall impact on the company. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250.

Shortlist

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
Evolution Fasteners UK
Glossy Maids
Grayshaw & Yeo Gardening Company Ltd
Linkilaw
Peaky Digital Ltd
The Administration Hub Limited – Your Business Matters
The Bshirt
Thrive
ZeroLight

Young Business Owner of the Year

Open to all companies that have been set up by someone aged 25 or less as at 1st October 2019. Judges will assess business idea, challenges faced and levels of success. There will be an award for companies with 1-50 employees and one for companies with employees of 50-250.

Shortlist

Chris Richards – Richairportruns
Emily Trumble – Encore Travel
Emma Illingworth – Emma’s Music Tuition
Georgia Steed – MadeByGeorgiaMai
Hamish Murray – Midas Mead
Lydia Capon – Lydia Bailys
Natalie Crouch – Peaky Digital Ltd
Oscar Wendowski – Total Access Health Ltd.
Reece Land – Next Gen Sport Solutions Limited
Sophie Hare – HARE and Beauty LTD