Hollywood’s got the Oscars: the British entrepreneurial community has the National Business Awards. Celebrated once more in style at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel, the awards last night saw 1,200 business figures, entrepreneurs, politicians and media representatives come together to witness Caroyln McCall, chief executive of EasyJet, netting the event’s top gong, the Ashridge Business School Leader of the Year award.
But McCall was far from the only business leader to receive a trophy: Titus Sharpe, CEO of MVF, the customer acquisition company, was presented with the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year, and Joe Carnell, director and founder of ÜGOT UK, the frozen yoghurt retailer, picked up the Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year award. Elsewhere, The Body Coach was awarded Lloyds Bank New Business of the Year, Vanarama was named Lloyds Bank Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year and the University of Leeds won the Duke of York Award for University Entrepreneurship.
Opening the proceedings, prime minister David Cameron said: “[These] 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.”
Nina Wright, managing director of built environment for UBM EMEA, said: “We were delighted to host yet another successful gala dinner ceremony celebrating the full spectrum of British Business in 2015; the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards are the accolade of choice for those seeking the highest recognition. This year’s winners demonstrate the quality and diversity of businesses driving economic growth in the UK.”
Our heartiest congrats to all of the winners, who can be viewed in full at the National Business Awards website. 
