Lloyds Bank National Business Awards revealed

Presented by Sky News’ Ian King and Poppy Trowbridge, the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, which is organised by UBM EMEA, welcomed former Astronaut and second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin as headline speaker.

The Prime Minister opened proceedings at the ceremony with a message for this year’s finalists. He told the audience: “I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you on behalf of the whole country, for all that you’re doing to create jobs and growth in Britain…tonight we celebrate all that you’re doing, from your leadership in digital and innovation, to the Duke of York’s new award for University Entrepreneurship, these awards are rightly the Oscars of great British business.

“The awards recognise people who have the guts to strike out on their own, who have the tenacity to work hard for every deal and who have the innovation and vision that lets you grow your business and take new people on. Its people like you who are making this the most entrepreneurial and dynamic period in our country’s recent history. So thank you again for all you’re doing.”

Sports and fitness brands did especially well on the night; winners included The Body Coach, DNAFit and Premiership Rugby – which was also awarded by a surprise guest appearance from New Zealand rugby legend, Jonah Lomu.

The The Lloyds Bank National Business Award 2015 Winners:

The Lloyds Bank New Business of the Year: The Body Coach
The Duke of York Award for University Entrepreneurship: University of Leeds
The Vonage Business Enabler of the Year: Fifteen Digital
The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year: Titus Sharpe, CEO of MVF
The Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year: Emoderation
The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year: BT Group
The Lloyds Bank Digital Business of the Year: UNiDAYS
The Customer Focus Award: Go Ape
The Grichan Partnerships Sustainable Business Award: Crown Paints Limited
The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year: Joe Carnell, ÜGOT UK
The Social Enterprise of the Year: Livity
The Corporate Citizenship Award: Premiership Rugby
The Market Gravity Innovation Award: DNAFit Limited
The UKTI Growth Business of the Year: Paymentsense
The Deloitte Employer of the Year: Better Bathrooms
The Lloyds Bank Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year: Vanarama
The Ashridge Business School Leader of the Year: Carolyn McCall OBE, Chief Executive of easyJet
The Lloyds Bank Excellence in Business Award: Tony Pidgley CBE, Chairman of Berkeley Group

Tim Hinton, Managing Director, Mid Markets and SME Banking, Lloyds Banking Group said: “The National Business Awards celebrate the outstanding leadership, determination and accomplishment of British business leaders, and we’ve seen a huge array of talent amongst the finalists.”

“Choosing the winners wasn’t easy but everyone should be congratulated for making it to this stage and we will follow their progress with interest. I’m particularly excited that we will be providing business mentoring for all winners – giving them an important sounding board as their businesses progress to the next level.”

The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards 2015 charity partner is BBC Children in Need. At the ceremony the audience heard from Adam Thomas with a special appearance from Pudsey. An auction on the night raised a substantial amount of money for the charity, who’s annual Appeal Show takes place this Friday on the BBC.