Small businesses may operate with leaner teams and resources, but their contribution can extend well beyond their size. The 2026 Small Business Awards recognise organisations that have developed thoughtful services, overcome difficult challenges and remained closely connected to the people they support. This year’s winners represent four very different businesses, each with a strong case for recognition.
2026 Small Business Award Winners
Named Small Business of the Year, Wookco (Thailand) Company Limited has developed a travel platform intended to connect international travellers more directly with local providers and community-led experiences. Its model combines an AI travel assistant with practical measures for participating businesses, including a zero-fee provider dashboard and payments processed within 24 hours of a completed service. The company’s emphasis on keeping more tourism revenue within local communities gives its technology a clear commercial and social purpose.
The Leadership Award goes to Lifetime Savings Ltd, recognising the direction behind a business rebuilt during a demanding period for both its leadership and the wider energy-efficiency sector. Since its formation in 2022, the company reports growing annual turnover from £1 million to £3 million while investing in compliance, customer communication and a bespoke quality-management system. That combination of resilience and operational discipline has enabled the business to expand without allowing growth to outpace its systems or service standards.
Community contribution is central to the work of Skylark Counselling Clinic, recipient of the Community Impact Award. The clinic has worked to reduce some of the practical and emotional barriers that can make accessing counselling difficult, offering free counsellor-matching calls, extended availability and support in six languages. Its partnerships have also enabled funded or pro bono counselling for First Nations clients, veterans, members of the RCMP and people supported through victim assistance programmes. This is a considered model of community care built around accessibility rather than expecting clients to navigate the process alone.
Our Rising Star Award winner, Hobby Stop, has grown from a small independent venture into a developing online retailer focused on making hobbies more accessible and affordable. Clear product information, competitive pricing and dependable service have formed the basis of its customer proposition, while close attention to trends and changing demand helps keep its range relevant. With stock management, sourcing and customer support handled through a lean operating model, the business has established a credible platform for further growth and the future development of its own branded products.
2026 Small Business Award Finalists
- Skylark Counselling Clinic – Small Business of the Year
- Wookco (Thailand) Company Limited – Leadership Award
- Life In…Magazines – Rising Star Award
- MYTAXDOC Accountants & Tax Advisors – Community Impact Award
The Wider Value of Small Businesses
The achievements recognised in this year’s awards show how small businesses can combine commercial development with a close understanding of the people they serve. Their size often allows them to identify gaps, respond quickly and build services around needs that larger organisations may overlook.
Across the winners and finalists, we have seen businesses improve access to support, strengthen relationships with local providers, invest in more reliable systems and build customer trust through clarity and consistency. These are practical achievements that create a firm basis for sustainable growth.
From all of us at Altaris Business Awards, congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Small Business Awards. Your recognition reflects the focus, resilience and care required to turn a small business into one capable of making a substantial contribution.
