The shortlist for the British Business Awards 2025, in association with NatWest, has been released with The JR Group announced in the top eight family businesses in the UK.
The leading construction firm will now go up against; Craig & Parsons, Whitby Seafoods, The Parklane Group, Murray Capital, Maguires Country Parks, Clarke, and Land Pod.
143 companies across 18 awards are now vying for the top spot at the ceremony in Edinburgh on the 24 April 2025. The JR Group sits alongside major multi-nationals including Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard (HP), UK PLCs including Scottish Power, The Weir Group and Greggs, well known brands like Miller Homes, The PureGym Group and The Ivy Collection and technology and innovation led companies like Stellar Omada and Dynisma, all feature in the shortlist and will now go forward as part of the full judging process in the run up to the awards.
More than 300 companies entered the British Business Awards. The shortlisted businesses were chosen by an independent shortlisting panel. Each entry was carefully examined and judged on their positive impact to their workforce, sector and overall contribution to the British economy. The shortlist will now go forward to the main judging panel comprising of 18 independent judges, all key figures from British industry including Vinodka Murria OBE, Phil Urban, CEO of Mitchells & Butlers and Emma Crystal, CEO Coutts Bank.
The awards are raising funds for beneficiary homelessness charity Social Bite, with a target of raising £1million through the event and a fundraising lunch happening earlier in the day, being organised with Gleneagles Hotel. The awards dinner will take place at the EICC on 24 April and tables are already in high demand with up to 2000 business leaders set to attend.
Alan Jope CBE, former CEO of Unilever and Chair of the judging panel said: “In spite of the economic headwinds facing British businesses, our incredible shortlist shows that leading British companies are thriving and in turn are powering the economy and job creation through their hard work and resilience. It came across loud and clear from the hundreds of entries we received for the awards that businesses are having to innovate and adapt like never before. It’s been inspirational to see the incredible work that’s going on behind the scenes in companies of all shapes and sizes across the UK.
“The 2025 shortlist reflects the hugely diverse range of businesses we have in this country, and I know our judging panel are going to have some tough decisions on their hands when it comes to determining our winners.”
John Horne, Managing Director for The JR Group said “We are delighted to be shortlisted for a British Business Award, especially being recognised as a top flight family business. This is our 30th anniversary year, so it means even more to acknowledge the milestone in this way.
“Our business is and always has been focused on bringing our family values out to the communities we work in and to give back in any way we can. Being shortlisted is testament to our ongoing commitment as a business to excel and offer a high quality experience whilst being true to our roots.
“We look forward to the awards ceremony in April.”
James Holian, Head of Business Banking and International Retail, NatWest Group said: “It’s wonderful to see such a high calibre of entries to the British Business Awards. The UK is full of entrepreneurial, creative and innovative businesses and we’re seeing those at the forefront of the UK’s economy through this process. Seeing the high level of commercial excellence across multiple sectors, makes me extremely confident about the future of British business.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, Founding Partner and Event Director of the British Business Awards said: “We are so excited to see the event bring together some of the most successful and economically influential people in the UK – to celebrate their success, whilst at the same time raising funds for some of the most vulnerable people in society. Thank you to all of the companies participating in the awards this year.”
Guests at the British Business Awards are being treated to a fireside chat and a rare, unplugged music performance from the iconic musician and activist Sting. The evening will be hosted by comedian, presenter and TV star, Rob Brydon and feature a keynote address from the event’s patron Sir Bob Geldof, who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Band Aid in 2025.
