SME Awards to spotlight the real engine of UK growth – small businesses

A new national awards programme has been launched to recognise the achievements of the best small businesses across the UK.

The Best SME Awards have been created by entrepreneur Debbie Gilbert, who founded the Best Business Women Awards more than a decade ago which celebrates the diversity and power of female-founded enterprises.

“I’ve worked with business owners for many years and so many of them achieve brilliant things without ever stepping into the spotlight,” Debbie said. “During the years of The Best Business Women Awards, many men have come along and have asked about offering the same opportunities for all businesses.

“The Best SME Awards have been created with that in mind and the aim is to recognise those outstanding businesses through a judging process that is fair, independent and based on merit rather than marketing spend.” (or similar)

Small businesses make up 99 per cent of all UK companies and employ more than 16.9 million people. Debbie said it still surprises her how many go under the radar, even when they are doing work that changes lives, creates jobs or brings something new to their community. 

Entries are now open for 2026, with categories that reflect the range of work happening across the SME world. Some of the areas being recognised include innovation, customer service, sustainability, growth and professional services, along with nomination-led awards that highlight leadership and teams. Businesses can apply for up to two categories, not including nominations.

“We want every entrant to feel confident that their work will be read with care and judged on what they have achieved,” Debbie, who lives in Somerset, added. “This isn’t about who buys the biggest table or who sponsors the event. It’s about celebrating success in a way that businesses can trust.”

The awards have been moved to a central Midlands location to make them easily accessible for SMEs nationwide to participate. 

“These awards will be celebrated at a gala event in Northamptonshire for many reasons – it’s more accessible to businesses across the country and also it means it’s easier for business owners and their teams to attend for practical reasons. They don’t have to spend a fortune on travel, parking and hotels,” Debbie said.

Judges have been chosen from all over the country including Bristol, Leeds, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, London and Gloucestershire. Wiltshire-based PR company Scott Media is one of the sponsors of the inaugural event and MD Fiona Scott was recently named UK Solopreneur of the Year 2025. Fiona said:

"So many awards celebrate bigger businesses with multi-million pound turnovers and therefore exclude 1000s of healthy micro-businesses all over the UK, in every community who add huge value to local economies. I wanted to recognise Debbie's commitment to celebrating success across all types of small business."

Entries close on 22 January 2026 at 6pm. The final will take place on 24 April 2026 at The Mercure Daventry Court Hotel in Northamptonshire, chosen for its central location and straightforward travel links. Finalists will be announced in February 2o26 ahead of the event. For more information or to enter the awards, visit: https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/

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