- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Celebrating Small Business Awards shines light on leading enterprises as economy unlocks
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells business owners that the government “is on your side” as he calls on firms to turn “jabs, jabs, jabs into jobs, jobs, jobs”
- UK’s largest business group and Business Secretary urge shoppers to get behind small firms to spur economic recovery
The UK’s largest business group is calling on consumers to get behind the country’s 5.9 million small firms as it unveils the winners of its annual Celebrating Small Business Awards.
A Highlands farm turned luxury lodge retreat with nine-hole golf course, café and activity centre claimed the title of overall winner at the annual event, having competed with more than 3,000 other applicants for the title.
The Celebrating Small Business Awards ceremony took place virtually this afternoon and was hosted by former Sports Presenter of the Year and World Pride Power List entrant Clare Balding.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the event in a video message, thanking the small business community for its “sacrifice and forbearance” and pledging to be “a government that is on your side”.
Woodlands Glencoe was founded in 2009 and has since increased its turnover 20-fold through investment and diversification.
The providers of the turf at Wembley Stadium, developers of NASA technology aimed at reducing emissions and craft aerospace cabin designers are also among the wider award winners*.
Woodlands Glencoe’s Development Director James Young said: “At our heart, we’re a family firm that’s spent more than a decade building and diversifying our business. That’s meant a huge amount of hard work and careful planning, and it is phenomenal to see all of this hard work recognised by FSB.
“Tourism in Scotland has faced huge challenges over the last year, but we know that our business, industry and country will bounce back.
“By innovating and investing, we can build back the strength of our sector and our local communities.”
FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “After a torrid 12 months, it’s been fantastic to come together and celebrate the great small businesses that are at the heart of communities right across the UK.
“As we slowly edge back towards normality, we’re urging everyone to get behind their favourite small firms – they need you now more than ever.
“It was a closely fought contest for the ultimate crown this year. The worthy winners show us what’s possible when you tirelessly adapt, invest and provide an unforgettable experience for customers. Huge congratulations to them and all of the brilliant winners and entrants.”
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Good luck to everyone at today’s virtual FSB awards… you are the vital, blood-pumping heart of our communities, creating jobs, supporting skills and opportunity and helping out your customers…
“Throughout this crisis, you really have gone the extra mile, doing everything you can to help people stay safe while keeping jobs and businesses going, from enabling people to work from home, providing home delivery, pivoting to online sales, installing plastic screens, and introducing one way systems, to joining in the incredible national effort to provide the vital pieces of equipment that we needed, from face masks to hand sanitiser…
“I have every confidence that it will be small businesses helping to fuel our national recovery and turning jabs, jabs, jabs into jobs, jobs, jobs.”
Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP said: “Being a small business owner is an extraordinary challenge at the best of times, but the creativity, persistence and sheer grit shown by Britain’s small businesses over the last year has been nothing short of exceptional.
“The government has stood by small businesses throughout this crisis with an unprecedented and generous package of support, and I am proud to celebrate their achievements with the FSB Awards as we look ahead to brighter days and building back better from the pandemic.”
Ends
Note to editors
About the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards
More than 3,000 small businesses from across the UK entered the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards. The UK final was held following area finals in each English region and devolved nation.
*The category winners are:
Business & product innovation award & overall winners, Scotland area winner
Luxury highlands retreat Woodlands Glencoe
Digital/e-commerce business of the year, Scotland area winner
Tailored tights designers Snag Group Ltd
Self-employed/ sole trader of the year, Yorkshire & Humberside area winner
Internationally renowned hypnotherapist Shelia Granger Ltd
International business of the year, East of England area winner
Craft plane cabin designers Cobalt Aerospace Ltd
Environmental Award, West Midlands area winner
NASA Ozone technology developers Laundry Efficiency Ltd
Micro-business of the year, East Midlands area winner
UK’s biggest provider of badge-making machinery e-Badges
Start-up business of the year, South East area winner
Social work specialists Parker Rose Recruitment
High growth business of the year, South East area winner
Spurs and Wembley stadium turf providers Advance Grass Solutions
Family business of the year, Northern Ireland area winner
Multimillion-pound bespoke furniture creators Abbey Upholsterers
Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Yorkshire & Humber area winner
Online luxury flooring supplier UK Trade Furnishings Ltd
Wellbeing award of the year, Northern Ireland area winner
Leading security, telecoms and cloud providers Outsourcing Solutions (NI) Ltd
Watch the highlights video
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About FSB
As the UK’s largest business support group, FSB is the voice of the UK’s small businesses and the self-employed. Established over 40 years ago to help its members succeed in business, FSB is a non-profit making and non-party political organisation that’s led by its members, for its members. As the UK’s leading business campaigner, FSB is focused on delivering change which supports smaller businesses to grow and succeed.
FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including access to finance, business banking, legal advice and support along with a powerful voice in Government. Each year FSB also runs the UK’s Celebrating Small Business Awards. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk. You can follow us on twitter @fsb_policy and on Instagram @fsb_uk.