The Welsh business community gathered on Friday, 18 September, to celebrate outstanding commercial talent and enterprise at the prestigious 2026 South Wales Business Awards.
With over 250 guests in attendance, the 18th annual awards ceremony marked its biggest
celebration to date. Hosted by one of Wales’s most popular broadcasters Sara Edwards at the Hilton in Cardiff, the black-tie gala honoured exceptional achievements across 21 diverse categories, culminating in the presentation of the overall 2026 Business Champion title. The evening showcased resilience, leadership, and Welsh innovation, recognising micro-businesses, scale-ups, and established enterprises driving the economy forward.
The winners are as follows:
Business Services Business of the Year
- Winner – The Independent General Practice (IGP)
- Silver Award Winner – Howells
Business Services Business of the Year (SME)
- Winner – So.Social Media
- Silver Award Winner – Praise Healthcare
Business Services Business of the Year (Micro Business)
- Winner – Porth Design
- Silver Award Winner – Mckenna Pahang Digital Marketing Strategy
Community Interest Company of the Year (CIC)
- Winner – Ride Like a Gril (CIC)
- Silver Award Winner – Therapeutic Activities Group CIC
Family Business of the Year
- Winner – Castle Plumbing Supplies
- Silver Award Winner – Pyle Garden Centre
Family Business of the Year (SME)
- Winner – Cardio Core/Little Legends Play Hub
- Silver Award Winner – FP Lead Gen
Female Entrepreneur of the Year
- Winner – Michelle Evans – Fablas Ice Cream
- Silver Award Winner – Jennine Gill – Little Inspirations
Female Entrepreneur of the Year (SME)
- Winner – Hannah McCartan – Hannah McCartan Consultancy
- Silver Award Winner – Finola Wilson – Impact Wales
Female Entrepreneur of the Year (Micro Business)
- Winner – Jessica Williams – Spuddy Lovely
- Silver Award Winner – Victoria Isaac – Little Bit Different
Financial Services Business of the Year
- Winner – Quote Detective
- Silver Award Winner – Chris Hopkins Independent Financial Advisor
Green Business of the Year
- Winner – Get Zero Ltd
- Silver Award Winner – ULEX Energy
Retail Business of the Year
- Winner – Pyle Garden Centre
- Silver Award Winner – Vale Wellness
Retail Business of the Year (SME)
- Winner – Mor a Sawna Ltd
- Silver Award Winner – Little Bit Different
Retail Business of the Year (Micro)
- Winner – R&L Rugs
- Silver Award Winner – AJ Wardrobe Edit
Startup of the Year (Ltd)
- Winner – South Wales Safety
- Silver Award Winner – Ladies Who Travel
Startup of the Year (Sole Trader)
- Winner – Mckenna Pahang Digital Marketing Strategy
- Silver Award Winner – Larry’s Coffee
Technological & Innovative Business of the Year
- Winner – Navitas Solutions Group Ltd
- Silver Award Winner – Learna
Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
- Winner – Cardiff Airport
- Silver Award Winner – Fablas Ice Cream
Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year (SME)
- Winner – Gower Golf Getaways
- Silver Award Winner – Banc Coffee & Records
Workplace of the Year
- Winner – Little Inspirations Ltd
- Silver Award Winner – Howells
Workplace of the Year (SME)
- Winner – AD Marketing Group Ltd
- Silver Award Winner – Mor a Sawna
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Winner – Sam Jones – Blue Heart Care Group
- Silver Award Winner – Will Coughlan & Aaron Wainwright – Banc Coffee & Records
South Wales Business Awards Champion 2026
- Navitas Solutions Group Ltd
Navitas Solutions Group Ltd Managing Director William Winter said:
“To take an idea that started in a garage and build it into a national business from the heart of South Wales has taken an incredible amount of hard work, grit, passion and sacrifice. We have an incredible team around us, amazing customers and partners who have believed in what we are building, and families who have supported Jay and me through everything it has taken to get here.
:Nothing worthwhile comes without sacrifice and hard work, which is why winning Technological & Innovative Business of the Year and then being named South Wales Business of the Year means so much to us. We are genuinely grateful for the recognition and incredibly proud of everyone who has been part of the journey. Hopefully it shows what can be achieved when you believe in an idea, surround yourself with great people and refuse to give up on it.”
Reflecting on the success of the evening, awards founder Wesley Skene commented:
“The 18th South Wales Business Awards has once again demonstrated the extraordinary depth of talent, ambition, and resilience across our business community. To celebrate our biggest event yet with over 250 leaders and innovators in attendance is a testament to the strength of the Welsh economy. Every finalist and winner represents the very best of
:Welsh enterprise, and I want to congratulate Navitas Solutions Group Ltd and all our award recipients on their remarkable achievements.”
The awards couldn’t have happened without the support of our tremendous sponsors, Bevan Buckland – Feature Sponsors, and Event Sponsors Swansea Building Society & University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
