The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched its search to find the greatest small businesses from across the UK. From exporters to start-ups, from innovators to green businesses, and from family businesses to the best young entrepreneurs, small firms are being encouraged to enter FSB’s 2019 Celebrating Small Business awards.
The annual awards recognise a sector that makes up 99.9 per cent of all private sector businesses. As the number of self-employed people continues to rise and confidence amongst the sector is at its highest level for a year, entries are expected to exceed 2,000, with more businesses recognising the value of industry awards as part of their business plan.
FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “Small businesses and the self-employed from across the UK contribute so much to our economy and our communities. The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards recognise the best, most innovative and most determined of these, from every sector, industry and background. This is why we choose to keep entries to the awards free, and have them open to all smaller businesses and self-employed people, whether they are current FSB members or not. The entrepreneurial spirit in the UK is alive and well, with small businesses now numbering an incredible 5.7 million. Everyone should help us to celebrate that.”
Twelve area finals will be taking place between January and April 2019 across the UK, with the UK national final taking place on 23 May, 2019 at Evolution buy xanax on ebay Battersea, London. Here, 10 UK category award winners will be announced from which the FSB Small Business of the Year 2019 will be chosen.
Last year’s FSB Small Business of the Year 2018 winner was scale-up superfood brand Creative Nature from Surrey. Julianne Ponan, pictured, founder and CEO of Creative Nature, said: “Winning the title of FSB Small Business of the Year 2018 has a had a superb impact on us; we’ve been invited to open the market at London Stock Exchange, to speak at business shows and have had fantastic media coverage. I recommend entering the awards to all businesses. We’re enjoying every moment of it!” See SMEs interview with Julianne here.
The award categories for the 2019 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are:
- International Business of the Year
- Ethical and Green Business of the Year
- Business and Product Innovation Award
- Digital Innovation of the Year
- Micro Business of the Year
- Start-Up Business of the Year
- Scale-Up Business of the Year
- Family Business of the Year
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year (aged 30 and under)
- Employer of the Year
- Community Award (area level only)
The 12 UK area finals will be held in: Scotland; Wales; Northern Ireland; East Midlands; West Midlands; North East England; Yorkshire & The Humber; South West England; South East England; East of England; North West England; and London.
The awards are free to enter and are open to all small firms. To enter, visit www.fsbawards.co.uk
