Nottingham headquartered online auction specialist, John Pye Auctions will compete alongside almost 150 UK businesses at this year’s British Business Awards, which feature special guest George Clooney at a star-studded ceremony in Edinburgh on 30 April 2026.
John Pye has been shortlisted in the Family Business of the Year category among household names, global giants and innovative UK SMEs including; Albert Bartlett, Bettys & Taylors Group, Border Biscuits, GSS Developments, Laing O’Rourke, Lunn’s, Walker’s Shortbread and Warburtons for the coveted prize.
A multi-award winning, ISO-accredited, independent family-run business, John Pye is the UK’s leading commercial auction house network, operating from 21 sites across the UK and Europe. With over 750 employees, it manages 30,000+ valuations and 1.5 million items across more than 2,500 online auctions annually.
This year’s shortlist features some of the most recognisable and influential names in British and global business, including AstraZeneca, Moderna, Iceland, Warburtons, Nando’s Dishoom, and Holland & Barrett, alongside a dynamic mix of high-growth scale-ups, family-owned firms, and innovative SMEs from every corner of the UK.
Shortlisted companies will also form the inaugural British Business Leaders List, a new designation recognising the organisations setting the benchmark for modern enterprise and shaping the UK’s economic future.
A record number of more than 400 companies entered the awards this year, with those selected for the shortlist independently evaluated across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy.
Those achieving the highest combined performance across these metrics have secured their place on the shortlist, with the strongest performers now going forward to the independent judging panel, comprising 18 key figures from British industry, chaired by the former CEO of Unilever Alan Jope CBE and Emma Crystal, CEO of Coutts Bank.
Adam Pye, Managing Director at John Pye & Sons Ltd, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted in the Family Business of the Year award category at the British Business Awards. From humble beginnings at Nottingham’s old Cattle Market site our family business now operates a nationwide commercial auction house network, fusing traditional auction principles with modern technology. To be recognised amongst so many household names is a fantastic achievement for the team.”
The awards are set to be bigger than ever with the announcement of a special guest appearance and conversation with award-winning actor and humanitarian, George Clooney, plus the return of keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof and co-hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith.
To be held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 30 April, tables at the awards are in high demand with up to 2000 business leaders set to attend. The awards will once again be raising funds for UK homelessness charity, Social Bite, with a target of helping to raise over £1 million, alongside a fundraising dinner held by the charity the night before the awards event at Gleneagles Hotel.
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. From global innovators like AstraZeneca and Moderna to much-loved brands such as Nando’s, Warburtons and Iceland, this year’s cohort represents companies that are truly shaping Britain’s economic future.”
Rick Haythornthwaite, NatWest Group Chair, said: “As Britain’s biggest bank for business, we are proud to once again sponsor the British Business Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses across all sectors and every part of the UK. Businesses like these are central to our economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting communities. We look forward to celebrating the ambition, creativity and excellence that is at the heart of so many great British businesses in Edinburgh next month, whilst also taking the opportunity to support Social Bite and its vital work tackling homelessness.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, Founder of Social Bite and Event Director of the British Business Awards, commented: “It’s brilliant to see so many businesses across multiple sectors and sizes listed on this year’s shortlist. We look forward to welcoming back the British business community for another night of celebration, and to help raise vital funds for Social Bite to allow it to continue making lasting impact for people who are experiencing homelessness throughout the UK.”
For further information on the awards and the full shortlist, visit: https://britishbusinessawards.co.uk/2026-shortlist/.
