The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards has announced The Independent as its official media partner for this year’s event programme. The Independent will take an active role in the entire awards schedule and have a high-profile presence at all associated events along the way.

The partnership marks a significant collaboration, bringing together two organisations committed to celebrating and promoting outstanding achievements. British businesses serve as the backbone of our communities, providing employment opportunities, stimulating local economies, and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our nation.

The Independent, the UK’s largest quality digital news brand, will play a crucial role in bringing the stories of entrants and finalists to a broader audience. This collaboration ensures that the achievements of the finalists and winners will gain significant exposure, highlighting their contributions to their industries and the broader economic landscape.

As media partner, the news publisher will provide extensive coverage of the awards programme, including exclusive and in-depth features about the entrants, the award categories, and the individual winners. The partnership not only enhances the visibility of the awards but also reinforces the importance of recognising and supporting the business sector, especially in times of economic challenges.

The prestigious awards ceremony is set to take place at the iconic Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 12 November. The evening promises to be a remarkable occasion, honouring the exceptional efforts of businesses across Britain; from innovative start-ups to well-established industry leaders. As an example of the high-profile nature of the awards schedule, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP was a surprise guest and speaker at last year’s awards ceremony, alongside Hollywood actor David Harewood OBE, who was interviewed by the BBC’s Naga Munchetty on the importance of DEI within business.

Speaking about the partnership, Sarah Austin, founder and owner of the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, said: “The British Business Excellence Awards continues to showcase the innovation of UK businesses and honour the narratives of remarkable entrepreneurs and the SME community. Acknowledgement isn’t limited to corporate giants; The Independent aligns with our determination of taking pride in celebrating exceptional stories of resilient, courageous, inspiring, and disruptive change from entrepreneurs across businesses of varying sizes and stages of development.

“With The Independent as a media partner, this year’s programme is set to be more impactful than ever. Championing British businesses encompasses more than just supporting economic growth; it’s about fostering job creation, driving the economy forward, and embracing a sense of purpose that goes beyond profit margins. The whole schedule will not only celebrate British business successes but will also offer unparalleled networking opportunities for business leaders to connect and share insights.”

Emma Elford, Commercial Content Director at The Independent added: “We’re pleased to be lending our support to this great initiative. Celebrating and amplifying the crucial role that business plays in today’s Britain is so important, and will ensure that brilliant companies, big and small, continue to flourish — impacting upon communities up and down our country and beyond. We’re looking forward to helping to tell their stories and build connections, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

The anticipation for the awards event itself will be mounting in the run-up throughout the year, and both the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards and The Independent will be working together to create a night of celebration that aims to inspire and motivate the business community.

The entry deadline for all entries is Friday 14 June 2024.