Private Business Awards 2026 shortlist

The shortlist has been revealed for the Private Business Awards 2026
Sponsored by BDO, the awards celebrate the UK’s mid-sized businesses that are driving UK economic growth

The Private Business Awards 2026, sponsored by BDO, has revealed its shortlist which celebrates the best privately owned or private-equity backed businesses in the UK with a turnover of more than £10 million.

The second year of the awards programme has recognised the companies and business leaders that represent the very best of this market segment. With finalists selected by an independent judging panel, the winners will be announced at the Private Business Awards Gala Dinner at The Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday 10 September 2026.

The Private Business Awards received over 700 nominations across its 11 categories. The 2026 shortlists are:

Tech Business of the Year

Ag Grid Ltd
Allica Bank
Bright Network
Cera
Content Guru Limited
Cornerstone
Gravitee.io
Truelayer Limited
Vertice
Zenzero

VC or PE Backed Business of the Year

Allica Bank
Clinigen
ERA Group
iamproperty
Netomnia
Nucleus Financial Platforms Limited
Pagabo Group Limited
Pure GYM Limited
Setfords Law Ltd
Totalmobile

Social Impact of the Year (Category sponsored by Half the Story)

Belu
Harmony Energy Limited
Hey Girls
Howard De Walden Estates Limited
Howden Foundation
NEMI Teas
Parrotpal Ltd
Pockit
Scamp & Dude

Scale Up of the Year

autogenAI
DAY One Strategy Ltd
Fulkrum
HUB
Kara Healthcare Group Ltd
Kraken Technology Group
OneDome
PACE Group
Penta Consulting
Protagoras Ltd

Digital Transformation of the Year

Globalization Partners Ltd
Perch Holdco Limited
United Pallet Network (UK) Limited

Female Business Leader of the Year

Beyond Governance Ltd, Erika Eliasson-Norris
Booost Trading Limited, Karen O’Flaherty
Capital Generation Partners LLP, Charlotte Thorne
Distology, Hayley Roberts
Elizabeth Scarlett Limited, Elizabeth Scarlett Petredis
Fera Science, Katy Sawyer
Jaded London, Jade Camber
Kara Healthcare Group Ltd, Prity Somani
proSapient, Margo Polishchuk
Wilson Power Solutions Limited, Erika Wilson

CFO of the Year

Asset Protection Group, Cheryl Riggott
Codestone Solutions Limited, William Etchell
Dishoom Limited, Stephen Neudegg
Draken UK Bidco Limited, Sarah Harrison
Gravitee.io, Sanjay Bowry
Gymshark Ltd, Rich Sanders
Jaded London, Stephen Geater
Netomnia, Wil Wadsworth
R & r.c.bond (Wholesale)Limited, Scott Christian
UNRVLD, Ali Saigar

CEO of the Year

Allica Bank, Richard Davies
Beyond Governance Ltd, Erika Eliasson-Norris
Cera Ben, Maruthappu
Elovate, Victoria Woodings
Fera Science Andrew Swift
Free Soul, Arjun Sofat
OneMedicalGroup, Rachel Beverley Stevenson
Perch Group, Craig Hinchliff
Totalmobile, Phil Race
Wilson Power Solutions Limited, Erika Wilson

Growth Business of the Year (Category sponsored by Inflexion)

AOG-247 Limited
European Medical Group Limited
handl Group
Highland Spring
MY Pension Expert Limited
OpenRent
Perch Group
QuestGates
Travel Counsellors Limited
Wingstop UK

Family Business of the Year (Category sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys)

Grundon Waste Management
JW Lees Brewery
LUCY Group Ltd
OneMedicalGroup
Tennants Consolidated
Wilson Power Solutions Limited

Private Business of the Year (Category sponsored by Lombard Odier)

Allica Bank
Blue Holdco Limited
Calisen Group (Holdings) Limited
Cera
Dishoom Limited
Inuvi Health Limited
Lemon Pepper Topco Limited
LWC Drinks Limited
Rebellion
Twinkl Ltd

Last year's inaugural awards saw winners including Totalmobile, Flagstone Group and Cycle Pharma.

Mark Sykes, Head of Consulting at BDO, said: “These awards are designed to champion the ambitious private and PE backed companies that are the engine of the UK economy, and BDO’s market heartland.

“It is these companies and the people behind them that continue to drive our economic growth across every region and sector in the UK. The awards shine a light on the innovation, ambition and success that should be commended and will inspire other businesses.

“Despite economic uncertainty and a challenging business environment, this shortlist brings to life the impressive leadership, performance and resilience across the private sector. It reiterates the opportunity for the entrepreneurial, ambitious and growing mid-sized businesses that BDO is proud to work with.

“I look forward to celebrating with all the shortlisted businesses in September and would like to congratulate everyone involved.”

To learn more about the Private Business Awards 2026, visit https://www.privatebusinessawards.co.uk/#about

ENDS

Note to editors

BDO UK operates in 17 offices across the UK, employing 8,000 people. It has UK revenues of £1bn.

It provides Audit, Tax, Deals, and Consulting, Risk & Outsourcing services predominantly to the entrepreneurial, ambitious and growing mid-sized businesses that are driving growth in the UK economy. BDO calls this segment of the market the UK’s economic engine.

BDO LLP is the UK member firm of the BDO international network.

BDO’s global network

The BDO global network provides business advisory services in 169 countries and territories, with 95,000 people working out of 870 offices worldwide. It has revenues of US$11bn.

About the Awards

The Private Business Awards, established in 2025, aim to provide long-overdue recognition for private companies that demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation, and contribution to the UK economy. Unlike public companies, private businesses often lack platforms to showcase their achievements despite their crucial economic role.

The original idea for the Awards came from Ford Sinclair, a family-run event management company, with over 40 years' experience in delivering high profile live events.

Contact

Emma Williams
Petal &Co
emma@petal.co
07711693915

Press office
media@bdo.co.uk

www.bdo.co.uk

For further information on attending the awards, contact jo.thomas@ford-sinclair.co.uk