Apprentice Employer of the Year
Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your apprentices so they take care of your business.
Welcome to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry SME London Business Awards, an exciting opportunity to support and share in our vision to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising SME’s in the regions.
Awards are a sought-after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business, and offers exceptional marketing and PR opportunities as well as increasing your credibility and standing in the eyes of your peers and your customers.
Our 2026 Awards are open for pre launch entries!
The awards celebrate the success, talent and dedication to be found amongst small businesses across the capital.
Firms of up to 250 employees are invited to enter into 22 different categories ranging from best entrepreneur to best young business leader, with the chance of winning either the Gold or Silver in their chosen category and the potential to be crowned as overall winner of the LCCI SME Awards.
Finalists will be invited to attend the black-tie awards night in 2026 - a ceremony which promises celebration and entertainment.
SMEs are the lifeblood of our city. As London’s biggest independent representative organisation for SMEs, we intrinsically understand the contribution they bring to London, making it the best city in the world to do business in. All of the awards are a testament to the hard work, ingenuity and innovation that our winners have displayed.
Does your business has what it takes to win? Apply today to find out. You can enter up to 3 categories.
Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your apprentices so they take care of your business.
Winners in this category won’t be standing still and doing the same old things, they’ll be moving and shaking, leading in their markets. In terms of this category, enterprise can be defined as showing initiative and willingness to undertake new projects.
You’ve come into business in the last 2 years (start date on or after the 1st January 2023) with a bang and are really getting noticed for what you do. Tell us what makes you the best of a great new crop.
Innovation in your business means doing something new, different, smarter or better that will make a positive difference. Innovation therefore ranges from implementing a time-saving office procedure to a brand new product.
This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices. Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Entrants in this category must have less than 50 employees at the time of entry, where Full-time count as 1 and Part-time or Temporary count as 0.5.
This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.
Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Entrants in this category must have more than 50 employees, at the time of entry, where Full-time count as 1 and Part-time or Temporary count as 0.5.
This award will go to a business person or entrepreneur who shows outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in the enterprise, as well as sound management practices.
Entrants to this award will be expected to demonstrate sustainable growth combined with a degree of commercial success that is exceptional for the size of the business.
Our judges will be looking for entrepreneurial skills and evidence of how they have seen opportunities and are striving in their business.
This award will be presented to the best female business owner or a female who has had a positive impact on a business/es. They will show how they have exceptional drive to succeed and how they have been integral to making the business or businesses a success.
This category celebrates both Community Businesses and Not for Profit Organisations. What these businesses have in common is that their focus is on positively benefitting society. All profit from a community business is reinvested in the local area and all profit from a charitable organisation goes to fulfilling their objectives.
This award recognises businesses prioritising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and demonstrating a commitment to change.
Our criterion to win the award is simple – tell us how you as an employer look after your employees so they take care of your business.
This award recognises companies that have run a successful operation selling goods and/or services overseas – compliantly and sustainably. Successful entrants will be innovative, dynamic and have a great story to tell!
The winners of Family Business of the Year will be combining their passion in business with their shared family values. We recommend your business being passed down at least 2 generations. The judges will be looking at how you can grow your business while still keeping your core family values at the center of everything you do.
High growth firms are referred to as ‘gazelles’ for the way they are racing ahead, contributing massively to employment growth.
Our judges want to know about your achievements and plans for even more success.
This award will recognise a business that has set the benchmark for excellence, value and innovation within the hospitality, leisure or tourism sector. Judges will be looking for entrants to demonstrate how they’ve delivered outstanding experiences, pushed the boundaries of innovation, created new value and provided exceptional service and quality.
You have moved on from being merely a UK-based importer or exporter of goods and/or services in any sector. You have now established a permanent presence overseas and are increasing your turnover and profitability through international trade.
The winner of the category will be innovating and adapting their business to not only thrive but benefit the wider community. Have you changed the products or services you are producing to help during a crisis or are lending your team to assist elsewhere? Our judges will not only be looking at how you plan to create a positive impact, but what you are currently doing to put this in place.
The winner of this category will give outstanding assistance and advice to those who buy or use the business or organisation’s products or services. They will be able to provide customer testimonials to back up their submission.
Being “green” and “sustainable” in business terms means reducing or removing the harmful impact that products and/or services have on the environment.
Irrespective of your size, your website says it all. It should look great, be really easy to navigate, showcase whatever it is you do but most importantly, it should engage the viewer and keep them on your site for as long as you need them.
For business people aged 30 or less (by 1st January 2025) who have demonstrated a high degree of entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future. The judges will be looking to identify an individual who has set up a business or has had a significant influence in the business, that has set and achieved objectives within its business plans and established a position of sustainable profitability and success. In addition to this, judges will want to see an understanding of the relationship between your own development and the success of the business.
Interested in sponsoring our 2026 awards?
The SME London Business Awards are designed to showcase both our partners and our entrants. As a supporter, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your brand in the lead-up to the awards and at the final in 2026. Through social media and traditional press coverage, we will attract the finest talent from London, and our extensive experience and expertise will ensure that your brand receives excellent promotion.
We have a variety of sponsorship packages available, which offer a range of judging opportunities, extensive social media exposure, VIP tickets to the final, and advertorial space in the awards programme.
Enquire today for more information.
Hosted by TV Presenter James Green at Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge, over 300 finalists, sponsors and guests enjoyed a drinks reception, red carpet interviews, and a three-course meal and musical medley entertainment for the SME London Business Awards 2025 grand finale. We were delighted to crown silver and gold winners for each of our 22 awards, with Penta Consulting as our Overall Winner!
Hosted by TV presenter James Green, the 2024 black-tie awards at the Park Plaza London Riverbank hotel, was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of SMEs across London. Over 300 guests enjoyed the awards ceremony which included a drinks reception, three-course meal and surprise entertainment for Singer Waiter and Chef duo.