Healthy soft drinks, campervans and e-bikes: The UK small businesses with BIG potential
- HSBC UK in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) crowns the eight best small businesses in the UK right now
- Winners will receive mentoring from businesswoman, broadcaster and ex Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies
- 70% of SMEs boast resilience in the face of uncertain economic climate
HSBC UK, in partnership with FSB, has announced the national winners of the Small Business Growth Awards 2026, with winning businesses awarded a mentoring session with businesswoman and former Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies MBE.
The eight winners from the regional finals, held across the UK in April and May, were named as national winners at The Savoy, London on 4 June.
The competition, which attracted approximately 2,800 entries from across the UK, was launched to recognise small firms driving jobs, innovation and community impact.
To coincide with the competition, HSBC UK in partnership with FSB conducted research which found that, despite the challenging outlook, SMEs are adopting clear strategies to seize growth opportunities in the year ahead. Around seven in ten UK SMEs (70%) said their business is either fairly or very resilient, despite the uncertain climate.
Open to UK-based small businesses, the awards comprised eight categories recognising achievement across the sector, from start-ups to family-run firms.
National winners included Manchester-based healthy soft drinks producer Hip Pop, which has 12,200 distribution points across the UK and partnerships with major retailers; Vanlife Conversions, which creates premium, contemporary van conversions to help more people get on the road and live the lifestyle they aspire to; and VOLT, a UK-based electric bike brand promoting greener transport and healthier lifestyles.
Reflecting on the win, Emma Thackray, co-founder of Hip Pop, said: “This award feels like a real marker of how far we’ve come. What started as a small operation has grown into something with genuine momentum. This success is down to a lot of hard work, from a brilliant team that care about doing things properly. As we look to take Hip Pop further into new markets, it’s a reminder to keep pushing, keep improving, and stay true to the values that got us to this point.”
Businesswoman Sara Davies MBE said: “Huge congratulations to all the Small Business Growth Awards winners — from those in the regional finals and the runners-up to the national award winners.
“I love seeing small businesses getting the recognition they deserve through awards like these and hearing first-hand the stories behind so many incredible SMEs across the UK.
“Running a business is never easy and, especially in the current climate, it takes a huge amount of resilience, determination and courage to keep showing up and growing a company, and I am genuinely honoured to be mentoring the national winners.”
The national ceremony also saw the winners of the HSBC UK Regional Customer Champion Award announced. They will receive mentoring support from EY and HSBC UK senior leaders and will also feature in HSBC UK’s national campaign later this year.
Hip Pop, GottaBe! Ethnic, VOLT Bikes and Rhino Perimeter Security Limited were crowned HSBC UK Regional Customer Champions, alongside the national awards they received.
Other HSBC UK Regional Customer Champions included Limb-art, founded in 2018 by ex-Paralympian swimmer Dr Mark Williams OBE and his wife, Rachael. The company designs bold, lightweight prosthetic leg covers from 100% recyclable nylon that promote confidence and individuality. It revolutionised the sector by introducing the first injection-moulded covers, replacing heavier, less scalable alternatives and enabling global distribution.
Tom Wood, Head of SME Business Banking at HSBC UK, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy and a powerful force for growth in communities across the country.
“SMEs have had to adapt at pace against a backdrop of global volatility and uncertainty. Repeated stress-testing has created a more adaptable business community than many give it credit for, and we continue to support them to raise their profile.
“With 2,800 businesses entering the competition, it’s clear there’s no shortage of ambition, confidence and innovation in small businesses across the UK.”
Martin McTague OBE, National Chair of FSB, said: “These awards highlight the vital contribution that small businesses make to local communities and to the wider economy. Behind every success story is an entrepreneur who has taken risks, created jobs and delivered growth – often against the odds – and that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.”
Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation Blair McDougall said: “Congratulations to all the winners of these awards, which shine a light on the ambition, resilience and innovation of small firms right across the UK.
“Small businesses are the heart of our communities and a vital driver of growth, and through our Small Business Plan this government is backing SMEs in every part of the country to start up, scale and succeed.”
SME Business Growth Awards National winners and HSBC UK Regional Customer champions pictured with Businesswoman Sara Davies MBE and Tom Wood, Head of SME Business Banking at HSBC UK
Notes to editors:
Full list of winners, with bios and images. Further images available on request.
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The HSBC UK SME Resilience and Growth Report 2026 conducted in partnership with the FSB was carried out in mid-February 2026 and available here: HSBC UK | Small Business Growth Strategies & Funding
National award winners (bios)
Hip Pop (Expansion & Growth Award – North West) founded in Manchester in 2019, Hip Pop is a fast-growing soft drinks brand creating flavour-led drinks with real fruit, no sweeteners and gut-friendly ingredients. The company has achieved triple-digit growth for three consecutive years and now sells a can every four seconds. With over 12,200 distribution points including major retailers, and a growing international presence, it continues to scale rapidly.
Evoke Country & Equestrian (Start-up Business – East Midlands) A certified equestrian safetywear brand offering internationally tested protective products developed and certified in Great Britain. Launched in 2024, it has quickly established itself through innovation, safety standards and affordability, including introducing a helmet replacement scheme to improve rider safety and confidence.
Vanlife Conversions Ltd (Service Excellence Award – East of England) Designs and builds bespoke campervans tailored to each client. The business focuses on high-quality craftsmanship, customer service and long-term support, helping clients embrace a lifestyle of freedom and adventure.
GottaBe! Ethnic (Diversity & Inclusion Award – South and Thames Valley) An independent marketing agency specialising in multicultural marketing, founded in 2008 by Polish migrant Tomasz Dyl at age 17. Created to connect new communities with British brands, it now supports organisations across multiple sectors in engaging the UK’s diverse population.
VOLT Bikes (Family Business Award – London) Founded in 2011 by brothers James and Lyle Metcalfe, VOLT is a UK-based electric bike brand promoting greener transport and healthier lifestyles. As a family-run business, shared values guide decision-making and support a culture built on trust, inclusivity and long-term responsibility, with a strong focus on people and sustainable growth.
Rhino Perimeter Security Limited (Micro Business – East of England) A family-owned business with over 30 years of experience in perimeter protection. It supplies and installs security solutions across the UK and, under new leadership, has embraced modernisation and growth while maintaining strong customer service.
The Lennox Partnership (TLP) (Community Award – Scotland and NI) A not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 1988 to help regenerate Clydebank after industrial decline. For 37+ years it has supported deprived communities, helping 19,000+ people towards work and 9,000+ into jobs, including young people, families and those facing health, neurodiversity or justice-related barriers.
Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers (Innovation Award – South and Thames Valley) A leading UK practice known for its innovative approach to building safety. It has pioneered in-situ repair techniques for RAAC, avoiding demolition and extending building life. Combining forensic investigation, advanced materials and practical design, it delivers safer, faster and more cost-effective outcomes at scale.
HSBC UK Regional Customer Champions (bios)
Hip Pop, GottaBe! Ethnic, VOLT Bikes and Rhino Perimeter Security Limited are listed above as national award winners and also HSBC Regional Customer Champions alongside the following:
Woodlands Glencoe (regional winner of Family Business Award – Northern Ireland) A multi-generational, family-led hospitality business rooted in the vision of Laurence Young and his family. Now led by his son James, it operates four hotels on the West Coast, employing 45 local staff. Family values shape every aspect of the business, supporting local employment and delivering a warm, consistent guest experience.
Food Attraction (regional winner of Family Business Award – East Midlands) A family-run food business supplying major UK restaurant groups and retailers. Its Jake and Nayns brand has transformed the food-to-go category with innovative products including loaded naans, burritos and toasties, now stocked in thousands of stores nationwide. The business is built on family values, generational recipes and a strong balance of tradition and commercial innovation.
Limb-art Ltd (regional winner of Innovation Award – South West and Wales) Founded by Paralympian Mark Williams OBE, LIMB-art designs bold, lightweight prosthetic leg covers that promote confidence and individuality. The company revolutionised the sector by introducing the first injection-moulded covers, replacing heavier, less scalable alternatives and enabling global distribution.
Olpro (regional winner of Innovation Award – West Midlands) A UK outdoor leisure brand creating innovative and sustainable camping and campervan products. Now an award-winning e-commerce business, it leads the sector with recycled fabric technology, lifetime warranties and circular initiatives. Its REPRO fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles, reflects its commitment to sustainability, performance and long-term impact.
Creative Nature (regional winner of Micro Business Award – South East) A family-run business creating allergy-safe snacks and baking mixes. Stocked in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, eight airlines, and 18 countries, the team of six, led by Julianne Ponan MBE, is growing revenue, market share, and international impact while prioritising customer safety and product innovation.
Sweet Cures Limited (regional winner of Service Excellence Award – North East) A UK supplement company established in 2002, known for high-quality products and transparent ingredients. Operating through SC Nutra, it supplies customers across the UK and internationally with a strong reputation for trust and reliability.
About HSBC UK
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About FSB
FSB is a non-profit, non-party-political grassroots business organisation that provides its members with a wide range of vital business services. These include advice, financial expertise, legal support and a powerful voice heard in Government for over 50 years. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk. You can follow FSB on X: @fsb_policy; on LinkedIn: FSB UK; and on Bluesky: @fsb-uk.