Celebrating small businesses across the UK
Entries are now open for The Small Business Growth Awards, brought to you by HSBC UK and FSB
Free to enter
Our awards are free to enter for all small businesses and sole traders across the UK.
8 categories
From start-ups to family owned, there’ll be a category for you. We’re recognising the achievements of small businesses in a wide range of areas, like innovation, and growth.
Networking
Finalists receive great networking opportunities in their regions and nations and also at a national level.
HSBC UK customers
One winning HSBC customer from each region will be invited to appear in their national advertising campaign in Autumn 2026.
Become an award-winning small business
Get UK-wide recognition
Winning an award is an amazing way to raise your profile and boost your reputation. Show future customers that you’re a leader in the industry.
Celebrate your achievements
Whether it’s recognising your hard work or resilience, get exposure and take your business forward with a prestigious business award.
Gain new connections
Celebrate your achievements with other small businesses, meet like-minded people and industry leaders, and unlock new opportunities.
Award prizes
Regional winners and finalists
- Invited to attend a celebration dinner in your region during April
- Regional promotion by HSBC UK and FSB
- Winners invited to attend the National Awards Final on 4 June
- Assets to promote your award win
National winners
- Invited to attend National Awards Final
- Mentoring session with businesswoman and broadcaster, Sara Davies MBE
- National promotion by HSBC UK and FSB
- Assets to promote your award win
HSBC UK Regional customer winners
- Invited to attend National Awards Final
- Invited to appear in HSBC's national campaign in Autumn 2026
- Mentoring from HSBC UK senior leader
- Appearance in highlights video for use on social media and website
- Assets to promote your award win
Key dates
8 January 2026 - Applications open
9 February 2026 - Applications close
March 2026 - Regional winners and runners up will receive an email inviting them to a celebration dinner in their region. See dates and host cities below.
April 2026 - Regional celebration dinners
4 June 2026 - National Final, London
Award regions and celebration dinner dates
- Scotland and Northern Ireland: Glasgow, 12 May
- North West: Manchester, 28 April
- North East (including Yorkshire and the Humber): Leeds, 7 May
- East of England: Cambridge, 30 April
- West Midlands: Birmingham, 23 April
- East Midlands: Leicester, 12 May
- South West and Wales: Bristol, 23 April
- London: London, 16 April
- South East: Crawley, 21 April
- South and Thames Valley Region: Oxford, 28 April
Award categories
Micro Business Award: Celebrating micro businesses punching above their weight with 9 employees or fewer.
Start-up Business Award: Open to start-up businesses operating for under two years in any business sector.
Family Business Award: Majority ownership remains with the family and at least two family members working in the business.
Community Award: Open to businesses who partake in initiatives that support their local community.
Innovation Award: Open to businesses where bold, new business models and innovative products are delivering dramatic results.
Diversity and Inclusion Award: This award celebrates companies who uses their role to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of their business.
Service Excellence Award: For small businesses able to demonstrate how they have gone above and beyond to deliver first-class customer service.
Expansion and Growth Award: Celebrating businesses who have expanded internationally and/or have grown their number to 10-250 full/part-time employees.
Award partners
Media partner
Category sponsor
HSBC Small Business Growth Programme
Unlock your business's full potential with HSBC Small Business Growth Programme, offering insights, interactive events, and practical training in finance, digital marketing, AI, and more.
