The QTS Group will compete against 149 UK businesses including household names, global giants, innovative UK SMEs and family businesses at this year’s British Business Awards, which feature special guest George Clooney at a star-studded ceremony in Edinburgh on 30 April 2026.
QTS has been shortlisted in the Large Business of the Year category and will now go up against a selection of other highly respected businesses next month.
Shortlisted companies will also form the inaugural British Business Leaders List, a new designation recognising the organisations setting the benchmark for modern enterprise and shaping the UK’s economic future.
This year’s shortlist features some of the most recognisable and influential names in British and global business, including AstraZeneca, Moderna, Iceland, Warburtons, Nando’s Dishoom, and Holland & Barrett, alongside a dynamic mix of high-growth scale-ups, family-owned firms, and innovative SMEs from every corner of the UK.
A record number of more than 400 companies entered the awards this year, with those selected for the shortlist independently evaluated across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy.
Those achieving the highest combined performance across these metrics have secured their place on the shortlist, with the strongest performers now going forward to the independent judging panel, comprising 18 key figures from British industry, chaired by the former CEO of Unilever Alan Jope CBE and Emma Crystal, CEO of Coutts Bank.
The awards are set to be bigger than ever with the announcement of a special guest appearance and conversation with award-winning actor and humanitarian, George Clooney, plus the return of keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof and co-hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith.
To be held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 30 April, tables at the awards are in high demand with up to 2000 business leaders set to attend. The awards will once again be raising funds for UK homelessness charity, Social Bite, with a target of helping to raise over £1 million, alongside a fundraising dinner held by the charity the night before the awards event at Gleneagles Hotel.
”The calibre of companies on the shortlist is extraordinary, and our job as judges is simply to maintain the highest standards and ensure that truly outstanding businesses emerge as the winners. From global innovators like AstraZeneca and Moderna to much-loved brands such as Nando’s, Warburtons and Iceland, this year’s cohort represents companies that are truly shaping Britain’s economic future.”
Alan Jope CBEJudging Panel
”As Britain’s biggest bank for business, we are proud to once again sponsor the British Business Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses across all sectors and every part of the UK. Businesses like these are central to our economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting communities. We look forward to celebrating the ambition, creativity and excellence that is at the heart of so many great British businesses in Edinburgh next month, whilst also taking the opportunity to support Social Bite and its vital work tackling homelessness.”
Rick HaythornthwaiteNatWest Group Chair
”It’s brilliant to see so many businesses across multiple sectors and sizes listed on this year’s shortlist. We look forward to welcoming back the British business community for another night of celebration, and to help raise vital funds for Social Bite to allow it to continue making lasting impact for people who are experiencing homelessness throughout the UK.”
Josh Littlejohn MBEFounder of Social Bite and Event Director of the British Business Awards
”It’s a true honour to be shortlisted amongst such a range of fantastic businesses for this highly coveted award. We were delighted to pick up the award for Fair Employer of the Year in 2025, so we’re hopeful that the continued growth of QTS, and the investment we make into our people, helps us to take home Large Business Of the Year in 2026.”
Andy SteelManaging Director of the QTS Group
For further information on the award, visit: www.britishbusinessawards.co.uk
Full shortlist:
Socially Responsible Business of the Year
Arup
BOTL
Dishoom
Edrington
Iceland Foods
Nando’s
Scotmid Co-operative
Wallace DS
Green Business of the Year
AstraZeneca
ILI Group
Orbital Marine Power
Robertson Group
Russell Group
Smurfit Westrock
Think Hire
Whyte & Mackay
Employer of the Year
Armstrong Watson
Bagnalls
BaxterStorey
Highland Spring Group
ROL Cruise
RSK Group
Sodexo
Stagecoach
Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Blackgold International
Albert Bartlett
Bettys & Taylors Group
Border Biscuits
GSS Developments
John Pye Auctions
Laing O’Rourke
Lunn’s
Walker’s Shortbread
Warburtons
Investor in Britain
Camlin Group
Forth Ports
JCDecaux UK
Moderna
Murray Capital
Robertson Group
Scottish Power
Business Innovation of the Year
Aviramp®
Everflow
LAR Housing Trust
Laundryheap
Nile
Stellar Omada
Zilch
ZOE
Technology Company of the Year
Allica Bank
Octopus Energy
Safer Group
Skyrora
Systal Technology Solutions
triSaaS
Utopi
Zenzero
Large Business of the Year, Sponsored by John Pye Auctions
Centurion
Clark Contracts
Menzies Aviation
Miller Homes
QTS Group
SEGRO
Warmworks
Winn Group
SME of the Year, Sponsored by EDF
Champions Speakers
Change Waste Recycling
HatHats Coffee Company
KDM Group
Luxus Home and Garden
Matthew Algie
One Big Circle
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by The Watson Foundation
Ann Budge, Heart of Midlothian
Brian McBride, Trainline
Chris O’Shea, Centrica
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport
Graeme Bone, Drum Property Group
Greg Jackson CBE, Octopus Energy
Lesley Larg, Thorntons Law LLP
Roger Wade, Boxfund
Inspiring Women in Business
Andrea Taylor, Edinburgh Innovations
Chinwe Odimba-Chapman, Clifford Chance
Cheryl Stewart, Andron
Gillian Crandles, Turcan Connell
Heather Stephen, Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace
Heidi Mottram CBE, Northumbrian Water (NW)
Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, Salesforce
Zillah Byng-Thorne, Dignity plc
CEO of the Year
Craig Chambers, TBR Global Chauffeuring
Jane Wood, Homes for Scotland
Jen Paice, AC Wealth
Jonathan Fitchew, Apprentify Group
Ken McMeikan, Moto
Marcello Distefano, San Carlo Restaurant Group
Martin Darroch, Harper Macleod
Simon Williams, Storage Giant
Eden Mill Entrepreneur of the Year
Dr Ben Maruthappu, Cera
Dr Nestor Demosthenous, The Mayfield Clinic
Guy and Leeanne Hundleby, Strathberry
Ken McEwan, McEwan Fraser Legal
Neil Stevenson, Garden Square
Nic Taylor, 47 Skin
Savannah Price, Serene
Scott Dingwall, Wolfson Brands
Leadership Team of the Year
AMA Homes
Blackadders LLP
Dynisma
Forth Ports Limited
Vegware
Walker Group
Waracle
XPS Group
Growth Strategy of the Year
Legado
Morrison Community Care Group
HECK! Food Ltd
Highland Spring Group
Ralph Sayer
Sintela
mydentist
Village Hotel Club
Customer Satisfaction Award
Blackcircles.com
Block9 Architects
first direct
Healf
Hampden Bank
Holland & Barrett
Ooni
Vetsure
International Business of the Year
Addleshaw Goddard
Endava
Johnstons of Elgin
Kettle Collective
Mackie’s of Scotland
Q5
Sales Geek
The TEFL Org
Stellar Omada Financial Services Company of the Year
Century Business Finance
North Capital Management
Ross Commercial Finance
Rural Finance Ltd
Scottish Building Society
Together
Vanguard Asset Management
Wise
Professional Services Company of the Year
AFS Group
Dow Schofield Watts
Graham + Sibbald
Grant Thornton UK
Henderson Loggie
MDDUS
Murgitroyd
Selway Joyce
Legal Firm of the Year, sponsored by The Law Society of Scotland
Anderson Strathern
Brodies
Burness Paull
Carson Macdowell
gunnercooke
Gilson Gray
MFMac
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Issued on behalf of the British Business Awards by Frame
Alison Downs, alison.downs@framecreates.co.uk, 07917678061
