Deadline: 4 August 2025
SME News is delighted to announce the Southern Enterprise Awards; with the focus of recognising and rewarding the often-un-noticed efforts of SMEs from the region with the second highest annual turnover in the UK.
Now in its eighth year, the Southern Enterprise Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the dynamic and diverse businesses that power the South of England. This prestigious award celebrates the resilience, innovation, and excellence of enterprises across the region—championing those who drive economic growth, meet critical social needs, and help shape the South as a cornerstone of the UK economy.
Over the past year, new developments have highlighted the South’s enduring strength and adaptability. The rollout of green energy projects, regeneration of urban centres, and expansion of innovation clusters around cities like Southampton, Oxford, and Reading have positioned the region at the forefront of the UK’s economic transformation. With more to come—including smart city projects, transport upgrades, and support for high-growth sectors—the South is poised to lead in both business and quality of life. Several key sectors in the South are outperforming national trends, demonstrating exceptional growth and innovation. The tech sector continues to flourish, with cybersecurity firms, AI startups, and software developers creating cutting-edge solutions. The advanced manufacturing and engineering industries remain a backbone of productivity, supported by world-class research institutions. Meanwhile, the region’s green economy is thriving, with businesses in renewable energy, sustainable construction, and environmental consultancy setting new benchmarks for low-carbon innovation.
The Southern Enterprise Awards 2025 is dedicated to recognising the businesses—large and small—that make the South a vibrant and vital part of the UK. This award honours those who are not only succeeding commercially, but also enriching their communities, creating jobs, and delivering services that improve everyday life.
Benefits
- There are no compulsory costs in accepting a nomination or winning an award with SME News. They do offer a variety of paid additional benefits for their winners, but these are completely optional. To demonstrate their commitment to no mandatory fees, all their winners are offered a free of charge promotional package. Their company policy will always remain: regardless of budget, their clients should always be able to garner the full value of the award and their seal of approval. They offer a variety of promotional opportunities to their winners, as they have an extensive network and they know, more than anyone, the wider business benefits from promoting industry awards.
Eligibility Criteria
- Whether you’re a family-run firm rooted in tradition or a bold new startup making waves in your field, this is your opportunity to be celebrated. The Southern Enterprise Awards welcomes nominations from across all industries, highlighting the breadth and depth of talent that defines this extraordinary region.
- Nominations are now open for individuals and third parties. Their expert panel will assess each nominee based on innovation, impact, and excellence—ensuring a level playing field where merit speaks loudest. If you know a business that deserves recognition for its contribution to the South’s success, they encourage you to submit a nomination and ensure their achievements are honoured on this prestigious stage.
For more information, visit SME News.
