From a fashion designer pioneering inclusive fashion, to the covid community heroes who stepped up to support health-workers and provide vital food suppliers, this year’s Small Awards celebrate the UK’s smallest and greatest small firms.

Businesswoman Kerry Mackay from North Wales won ‘Small Business of the Year’, for her inspiring story of starting up eco-friendly cleaning pad business ScrubbiesUK after she was forced to rely on food banks. Kerry went on to turn over £50k in her first year, without any outside funding. She now sells her reusable, compostable sponges wholesale across Europe and is expanding manufacturing through local prisons, to help offenders improve their skills.

New startup, Simply Noir which supports UK black-owned independent businesses, also won the ‘New Kid on the Block Award’ after it attracted 60 sellers to its platform in six months.

Sustainability success story Local e Sourced - an online marketplace for Herefordshire’s independent businesses - won the Small Award’s inaugural ‘Net Hero Award’ for its commitment to the environment. It is unique in storing stock from local suppliers to reduce packaging and emissions, providing a one-stop independent shop with UK wide delivery.

Eight other fantastic winners were announced at the Small Awards including.

• London micro bakery, Ma Baker won the ‘Heart of Gold Award’. During lockdown, owner Liz Wilson, delivered fresh bread to those self-isolating, as well as baking for her local food bank, providing online classes for budding bakers and mentoring those she had trained. 
• Disability-conscious fashion designer, Kintsugi Clothing won the ‘Digital Star Award’, for its successful digital marketing strategy which helped it grow and fill an important gap in the market.
• Nurse, Samantha Styles-Hudson won the ‘At your Service’ award for how her business Ethos Nursing supports care homes to improve performance and cope in the pandemic. 
• Heritage family business Windsor Carriages, which has offered horse-drawn tours of Windsor’s Great Park since 1849, won the ‘Legacy Award’ for its longstanding success. 
• Surrey florist Mad Lilies won the ‘High Street Hero’ award, sponsored by TSB, for its contribution to Banstead and support of other local businesses. 
• Lucy Kemp Jewellery won the ‘Bricks and Clicks Award for its multi-channel approach. Lucy’s unique designs are crafted in Cornwall for retail and wholesale customers. 
• London’s Nemi Teas won the ‘Mission Possible Award’ for best social enterprise. Founded in 2016, it solely employs refugees, helping them to gain work experience.
• Staffordshire food supplier David A Parker was awarded ‘Supply Chain Champion Award’ for the collaborative relationships it has developed over many years. During lockdown they ensured local businesses were well stocked to meet customer demand.

“I can’t believe the Small Awards came to my house - I was so surprised to get a knock on my door! To be recognised with this award is amazing and I’m really humbled, especially given I was up against some incredible businesses,” said Kerry Mackay, Founder of ScrubbiesUK.

“Two years ago my son and I were in desperate poverty, and I decided to claw my way out of that situation. It's been a tough road to get to where I am now – particularly with the pandemic and schools being off. I’ve been sewing at my table for ninety hours a week. But my small business is branching out in so many exciting directions and I’m now more determined than ever to reach my goals.”

In its fifth year, The Small Awards is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK.

“The Small Awards is all about celebrating the uniquely special and amazing contribution of small firms, which has never been more apparent than in the last year,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain. 

“All small businesses should be proud of the way they have coped during this pandemic, but special congratulations must go to our amazing winners who have inspired us all! We are so delighted to have delivered such a fun event, and to have managed to take an online event to the next level with so many door-step surprises!”  

The Small Awards were judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts. The inspirational evening took place online, adopting the theme of the upcoming Bond film and featuring entertainment from London’s Phoenix Arts Club. 

Guests dressed up in black tie and received deliveries of cocktails and canapes from independent brands to toast their success.