John Pye Auctions Shortlisted for Family Business of the Year at British Business Awards 2026

Nottingham-headquartered John Pye Auctions is set to compete alongside nearly 150 UK businesses at this year’s British Business Awards, taking place in Edinburgh on 30th April 2026. The ceremony will feature a special guest appearance from George Clooney at what is expected to be a high-profile evening for the UK business community.

John Pye has been shortlisted in the Family Business of the Year category, joining a competitive line-up that includes well-known names such as Albert Bartlett, Bettys & Taylors Group, Border Biscuits, Laing O’Rourke, Walker’s Shortbread and Warburtons.

A multi-award-winning, ISO-accredited, independent family-run business, John Pye is widely recognised as the UK’s leading commercial auction house network. Operating from 21 sites across the UK and Europe, the business employs more than 750 people and oversees over 30,000 valuations and 1.5 million items each year, across more than 2,500 online auctions.

The 2026 shortlist reflects a broad cross-section of British industry, with global players such as AstraZeneca and Moderna appearing alongside consumer brands including Iceland, Nando’s, Dishoom and Holland & Barrett. The shortlist also highlights a strong presence of high-growth scale-ups, family-owned firms and SMEs from across the UK.

All shortlisted companies will be included in the inaugural British Business Leaders List, a new recognition for organisations demonstrating strong performance and influence within modern UK enterprise.

This year saw a record-breaking 400+ entries, with businesses assessed across five key areas: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact and contribution to society and the wider economy. Those achieving the highest combined scores progressed to the shortlist and will now be reviewed by an independent judging panel made up of senior figures from across British industry.

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 ceremony is set to return on a larger scale this year, with keynote contributions from Sir Bob Geldof and hosting duties shared by Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith.

Taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the event is expected to welcome up to 2,000 business leaders. As in previous years, the awards will support Social Bite, with a fundraising target exceeding £1 million. A separate fundraising dinner will also be held at the Gleneagles Hotel the evening before the awards.

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, Chair of NatWest Group, added: “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 details and to view the full shortlist, visit the British Business Awards website.

Find out more about John Pye Auctions.