The benchmark of excellence
Find the category with your name on it
The Great British Excellence Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations doing exceptional work. Explore the categories and help recognise someone shaping the future through their achievement, leadership and impact.
Best Business Awards
Business Excellence AwardsSmall Business of the Year Award
Recognising small businesses achieving outstanding growth, customer service, and community contribution
About this category
This category recognises an outstanding small business. It celebrates businesses with big ambition and a personal touch: great service, loyal customers and a real contribution to the community around them.
The winner will show strong performance and growth for its size, excellent customer relationships and a team that goes above and beyond.
Eligibility
Open to UK-based businesses with fewer than 50 employees, trading for at least two years, with achievements within the last 12 to 24 months. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are both welcome.
Judging criteria
- Entries will be judged on business performance and growth
- Customer service and loyalty
- Innovation
- People and culture
- Contribution to the local community
Qualitative criteria
- Personal service and customer care
- Resilience and adaptability
- Team spirit
- Innovation on a small budget
- Community involvement
Metrics
- Revenue and profit growth
- Customer retention and reviews
- Jobs created
- New products, services or markets
- Community contribution
Additional criteria
- Submissions should include financial figures
- Customer testimonials and examples of the business in its community
Found your category?
Start your nomination now. Save a draft and finish whenever it suits you.
Nominate nowWant to sponsor this category?
Put your name beside the achievement it recognises, in front of the people who care about it most.
Ask about sponsoring it