The best of British business revealed: our 2026 finalists
July 23 2026
Over 200 businesses, from ninth-generation family farms to AI pioneers, from challenger radio to zero-carbon housebuilders, make this year’s shortlist
The wait is over. Today we announce the finalists for the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026: just over 200 businesses and business leaders shortlisted across our 20 categories, drawn from every corner of the UK economy, spanning manufacturing, technology, food and drink, healthcare, construction, financial services, media, retail and more.
Chosen from a record field of entries, this year’s finalists range from household names such as Fortnum & Mason, Kendamil and Pip&Nut to fast-scaling challengers like Quantexa and Octopus Electric Vehicles. They are joined by family businesses spanning generations, including Tulleys Farm, where nine generations of the Beare family have worked the land, and now welcome nearly two million visitors a year.
See the full list of 2026 finalists here.
Amanda Murphy, CEO, Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said: “Behind every successful business is a story of ambition, determination and innovation. Inspiring entrepreneurs backing themselves to succeed. That’s exactly what the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards celebrates. Our finalists are creating jobs, bringing new ideas to market, investing in their communities and helping drive growth across the UK’s nations and regions. They represent the very best of British enterprise and we’re incredibly proud to back them.”
This year’s programme also introduces the ITV Growth Accelerator Award, created with our media partner ITV and carrying the largest and most commercially valuable prize ever offered by a UK business awards programme: £500,000 of ITV advertising across ITV’s broadcast channels and ITVX for the winning business. Eleven fast-growth British brands make that shortlist, and every one of them receives a dedicated ITV Growth Package of subsidised airtime, bespoke coaching from ITV’s SME incubator team and high-quality TV creative at cost. Read more about the ITV Growth Accelerator Award.
Sarah Austin, our Founder, said: “Reading this finalist list is like reading the story of modern Britain. A zero-carbon housebuilder tackling the housing crisis. A ninth-generation family farm welcoming two million visitors. A challenger radio station, and founders turning kitchen-table ideas into international brands. Every one of them backed themselves before anyone else did, and that’s the quality we celebrate above all others. To all of our finalists: the country is about to find out what your customers and your teams already know. I cannot wait to welcome you to Grosvenor House.”
What happens next
Winners will be announced at our gala ceremony at Grosvenor House, London, on Tuesday 10 November 2026, in front of 1,200 business leaders, with Lloyds Bank as headline partner, ITV as media partner and the support of the UK government. In keeping with Awards tradition, winners will ring the opening bell at the London Stock Exchange and be celebrated at our annual reception at the House of Commons.
Since launch, the Awards have turned over more than £5 million and raised over £100,000 for charity.
Congratulations to every one of our 2026 finalists.
