Edinburgh Shines at British Business Awards with 21 Local Finalists

Edinburgh is making waves on the national business stage as 21 local companies have been shortlisted for the prestigious British Business Awards 2025, set to take place in the capital this April.

Announced today (Tuesday 18 March), the shortlist includes 143 standout businesses from across the UK, with Edinburgh boasting one of the highest concentrations of finalists. This year’s ceremony, in association with NatWest, will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 24 April.

Among the capital’s shortlisted contenders are household names and rising stars alike, including Martin Currie, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Vegware, EICC, Forth Ports, Gilson Gray, and Muckle Media. Other notable nominees from Edinburgh include Miller Homes, Sarco Stopper Ltd, triSaaS, Murray Capital, Hampden & Co, and Carlowrie Castle, showcasing the diversity and depth of Edinburgh’s business community.

The British Business Awards received over 300 entries, all assessed by an independent shortlisting panel who evaluated candidates based on their positive impact on staff, industry, and the broader economy. The final winners will be selected by a judging panel of 18 leading industry figures, including Alan Jope CBE, former CEO of Unilever and Chair of the panel, Vinodka Murria OBE, and Phil Urban, CEO of Mitchells & Butlers.

Speaking about this year’s selection, Jope said:
“In spite of the economic headwinds facing British businesses, our incredible shortlist shows that leading British companies are thriving and powering the economy through their resilience and innovation.”

The awards also serve a charitable cause, aiming to raise £1 million for Social Bite, a homelessness charity with deep roots in Scotland. A fundraising lunch organised in partnership with Gleneagles Hotel will precede the evening awards ceremony.

Guests at the black-tie event are in for a treat, with a special unplugged performance from legendary musician Sting, a fireside chat, and entertainment from comedian and presenter Rob Brydon. The night will also feature a keynote from Sir Bob Geldof, marking the 40th anniversary of Band Aid.

James Holian, Head of Business Banking and International Retail at NatWest Group, praised the calibre of entries:
The UK is full of entrepreneurial, creative and innovative businesses, and seeing such excellence across sectors fills me with confidence about the future of British enterprise.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, Founding Partner and Event Director, added:
“It’s incredibly exciting to bring together such a powerful group of business leaders to celebrate success and simultaneously support some of society’s most vulnerable.”

With demand for tickets already high, up to 2,000 business leaders are expected to attend the event at the EICC, right in the heart of Edinburgh.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.britishbusinessawards.co.uk.

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Edinburgh-based businesses shortlisted include:

• Gilson Gray – CEO of the Year

• Change Waste Recycling – Socially Responsible Business of the Year

• Hampden & Co, Lending Crowd – Financial Services Company of the Year

• Forth Capital – International Business of the Year

• Murray Capital – Family Business of the Year

• triSaaS, Sarco Stopper Ltd – Business Innovation of the Year

• Miller Homes – Customer Satisfaction Award

• Recast – Technology Company of the Year

• Muckle Media – Employer of the Year

• Forth Ports, EICC – Green Business of the Year

• Vegware – B Corp of the Year

• The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – SME of the Year

Congratulations to all the Edinburgh nominees – your city is proud!