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Global keynote speakers agency recognised among UK’s leading businesses at prestigious national ceremony
For immediate release, May 1: Champions Speakers is celebrating after being crowned SME of the Year at the British Business Awards.
The global keynote speaker agency received the award during a star-studded ceremony in Edinburgh, with the accolade presented by Hollywood actor George Clooney.
The event brought together leading figures from across business, entertainment and politics, including Bob Geldof, and was hosted by Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith.
In a standout moment of the evening, members of the Hayes family took to the stage to collect the award, with Sophia Hayes, Director of Sales at Champions Speakers, receiving the honour on behalf of the business.
Ms Hayes, from Champions Speakers, was later pictured with the Hollywood movie icon.
Jack Hayes, Director of Champions Speakers, said: “This is an incredibly special moment for our whole team and the Hayes family. What began as a vision more than 20 years ago has grown into a global business, and to see that journey recognised on such a prestigious stage is hugely rewarding.
Receiving this award from George Clooney, in a room filled with so many inspiring businesses, is something we will never forget. It motivates us to keep raising the bar and delivering world-class speaker experiences for our clients, now and into the future.
It was also a privilege to support such an important cause on the night. The generosity in the room was truly inspiring and a powerful reminder of the positive impact British business can have.”
This latest recognition builds on a sustained track record of success for Champions Speakers, reflecting more than two decades of growth, innovation and market leadership making it Europe’s largest and most trusted keynote speakers agency. The agency has previously been named among the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and has featured in both the Insider Growth 100 and The Sunday Times Fast Track 100.
Recent accolades also include recognition in the Department for Business and Trade’s Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards, celebrating international expansion across 66 countries. Further honours include being named Best Keynote Speaker Bureau 2025 – Europe and inclusion in JP Morgan’s Top 200 Female-Powered Businesses.
With more than 20 years in operation, a global client base and thousands of events delivered annually, Champions Speakers continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the talent booking industry.
The British Business Awards brought together 150 shortlisted organisations spanning sectors from global corporations to high-growth SMEs and family-run businesses. Companies including AstraZeneca, Octopus Energy, Warburtons and Holland & Barrett were among those recognised on the night, underlining the scale and competitiveness of the awards.
All shortlisted businesses were independently assessed across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy. Winners were selected by an 18-strong judging panel chaired by former Unilever CEO Alan Jope and Coutts CEO Emma Crystal.
Beyond celebrating business excellence, the awards also delivered significant social impact. The event raised over £1 million for homelessness charity Social Bite, supporting initiatives including housing programmes, employment support and social enterprise ventures across the UK.
Josh Littlejohn, founding partner of the British Business Awards, said:
“The huge turnout to the awards tonight is testament to the strength in the business community, and the extremely high standard of the winners speaks to the strength and bright future of our economy.”
About Champions Speakers
Champions Speakers is Europe’s largest keynote speaker bureau, representing a network of over 8,000 speakers and delivering more than 5,000 events annually across 66 countries.
An award-winning agency with over 20 years of experience, Champions Speakers has been recognised in The Sunday Times Fast Track 100, the Santander Breakthrough 50 and The Telegraph 1000 Britain’s Brightest Businesses. The company has also ranked highly in the Insider Growth 100 and was named among the London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.
Most recently, Champions Speakers was recognised in JP Morgan’s Top 200 Female-Powered Businesses, reflecting both its commercial success and commitment to leadership and diversity.
About the British Business Awards
The British Business Awards is a national platform recognising the organisations and individuals driving innovation, growth and impact across the UK economy. The event also serves as a major fundraiser for Social Bite, supporting its mission to end homelessness.
The 2026 ceremony, held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, featured high-profile contributors including George Clooney, Bob Geldof, Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith, and continues to position itself as a leading celebration of modern British enterprise.
Full list of winners:
- Investor in Britain – Scottish Power – Glasgow
- Growth Strategy of the Year – Morrison Community Care – Glasgow
- Professional Services Company of the Year – MDDUS – Glasgow
- International Business of the Year – Mackie’s of Scotland – Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire
- Legal Firm of the Year – Shepherd & Wedderburn – Edinburgh
- Large Business of the Year – Miller Homes – Edinburgh
- SME of the Year – Champions Speakers – Leicester
- Family Business of the Year – Warburtons – Bolton
- Green Business of the Year – AstraZeneca – Cambridge
- Customer Satisfaction Award – Holland & Barrett – Nuneaton
- Employer of the Year – Sodexo – Manchester
- Leadership Team of the Year – Dynisma – Barrow Gurney, Somerset
- CEO of the Year – Ken McMeikan, Moto Hospitality – Toddington (Bedfordshire)
- Technology Company of the Year – Octopus Energy – London
- Business Leader of the Year – Greg Jackson CBE, Octopus Energy – London
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Dr. Ben Maruthappu MBE, Cera – London
- Inspiring Women in Business – Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE – Salesforce – London
- Business Innovation of the Year – Zilch – London
- Financial Services Company of the Year – Vanguard Asset Management – London
- Socially Responsible Business of the Year – Dishoom – London
Image source: Champions Speakers
