Sales Geek has been shortlisted for International Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2026, recognising its rapid international growth and the global impact of its sales leadership model.
The prestigious awards, officially announced this week and featured in The Times and The Sunday Times, will see Sales Geek compete against leading UK businesses from a shortlist of 149 organisations, including household names, global brands, high-growth scale-ups, and innovative SMEs. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 30 April 2026, which will feature a special guest appearance from actor George Clooney.
Sales Geek has been shortlisted in the International Business category following a formal recommendation to the judging panel, recognising both the scale of its global expansion and the impact of its model across international markets. Shortlisted companies will also form part of the inaugural British Business Leaders List, a new designation recognising organisations that are setting the benchmark for modern enterprise and shaping the UK’s economic future.
Founded in the UK, Sales Geek has grown into a global network of 54 franchisees operating across 66 territories, supported by a central team of 16 HQ employees. The business delivers fractional sales leadership to small and medium-sized businesses, providing access to experienced Sales Directors and structured frameworks typically reserved for larger organisations. This approach enables businesses to build high-performing sales functions while maintaining flexibility and control over cost and resource.
Collectively, Sales Geek’s network brings together over 1,600 years of sales experience, reflecting the depth of expertise embedded across its international community. Through its part-time sales director model, franchisees support 160 active client businesses and have led and influenced more than 32,000 sales professionals. In their roles as Sales Directors within client organisations, Sales Geek franchisees have taken responsibility for sales functions delivering over $60 billion in revenue, underlining the scale of their contribution across diverse markets.
Richard Few, Founder of Sales Geek, commented: “To be shortlisted for International Business of the Year is a huge moment for everyone connected to Sales Geek. What makes this particularly special is that it reflects not just our growth, but the real impact we’re having with businesses all over the world. We set out to change the way the world perceives sales, and to make high-quality sales leadership accessible to businesses everywhere. This recognition is a testament to our franchisees, our clients, and the strength of the global community we’ve built.”
The strength of Sales Geek’s international network is reflected in the experiences of its franchisees around the world. Brian Ewing, Chief Geek South-West USA, added: “What makes Sales Geek different is that it isn’t just a model, it’s a global standard. Being part of a network recognised at this level shows the power of combining local expertise with world-class support.” Niranjan Singh, CEO Malaysia, commented: “Launching Sales Geek in Malaysia has shown us how universal the challenges around sales really are. To see the business recognised internationally reinforces that we’re part of something genuinely transformative.” Khulangoo Bayarbaatar, CEO Sales Geek Mongolia, added: “Bringing Sales Geek to Mongolia has been about more than business, it’s about changing how people think about growth. This recognition highlights the global relevance of what we’re building.”
A record number of more than 400 companies entered the awards this year, with shortlisted businesses independently evaluated across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy. The highest-performing organisations across these metrics have progressed to the final stage, where winners will be selected by an independent judging panel of senior British business leaders.
Alan Jope CBE, Chair of the judging panel, said: “The calibre of companies on the shortlist is extraordinary, and our job as judges is simply to maintain the highest standards and ensure that truly outstanding businesses emerge as the winners. This year’s cohort represent companies that are truly shaping Britain’s economic future.”
With continued expansion planned across new international territories, Sales Geek remains focused on helping businesses unlock growth through strategic sales leadership, while continuing to build a global network that is reshaping how sales is understood, delivered, and valued.
