The Class Business Awards 2026 Finalists Have Been Revealed!
The wait is over. The finalists for the first ever Class Business Awards have officially been revealed!
What began as a conversation, a concept and an idea in September 2025 has now become a reality.
When I created The Class Business Awards, I wanted to build something that would properly recognise, celebrate and champion the incredible people behind the UK’s class-based businesses.
Since opening the doors, we’ve received more than 400 nominations and entries from business owners across the UK, an incredible response for an awards platform in its very first year.
Now, after months of entries, judging and anticipation, we’re delighted to reveal The Class Business Awards 2026 finalists.
Celebrating the people who backed themselves
Before we celebrate the finalists, I want to recognise every single person who entered.
Entering an award isn’t always easy.
It means taking time out of an already busy business, reflecting on how far you’ve come and putting your story, achievements and impact forward to be judged.
For some entrants, this was their first ever awards application. Others were more familiar with the process, but every person who entered made the decision to back themselves and recognise the value of what they’re building.
That’s a huge achievement in itself.
Across the UK, thousands of business owners are delivering classes, clubs, activities and learning experiences every week. They’re teaching new skills, building confidence, supporting families, creating jobs, improving wellbeing and bringing communities together.
Everyone who entered chose to step forward and share that impact with us.
Whatever the outcome, every entrant should be proud of the business they’re building and the difference they’re making.
The Class Business Awards 2026 Categories
The finalists have been recognised across 20 categories representing the breadth and diversity of the class business sector:
- New Business of the Year
- Emerging Business of the Year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Customer Excellence Award
- Content Marketing Award
- Community Impact Award
- Brand Excellence Award
- Service Innovation Award
- Strategic Partnership Award
- Strategic Leader of the Year
- Business Growth Award
- Team-Led Business of the Year
- Studio Business of the Year
- Tutor Business of the Year
- Adult Class Provider of the Year
- Children’s Activity Provider of the Year
- Powerhouse Business of the Year
- Scaling Business of the Year
- High-Performing Business of the Year
- Sales and Marketing Excellence Award
These categories recognise the many different ways a class business can succeed.
They celebrate businesses at every stage, from new and emerging providers to established brands scaling across the UK.
They also recognise the areas that can sometimes sit behind the scenes, including leadership, customer experience, partnerships, innovation, marketing, team development and long-term sustainable growth.
Most importantly, they celebrate the impact these businesses have on the people and communities they serve.
A rigorous and competitive judging process
The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, and the judging process was incredibly competitive.
Our judging panel spent hours reading applications, reviewing achievements and assessing the evidence submitted by entrants.
Each application was considered by three different judges, with the wider judging process supported by a panel of 20 experienced business leaders and industry experts.
The judging was coordinated independently by Emma Hewitt, who helped bring together an outstanding panel representing different areas of business, leadership and the class-based sector.
We’re enormously grateful to every judge who gave their time, experience and careful consideration to the process.
We’d also like to thank our headline sponsor, Book That In, as well as all our sponsors and partners who backed the vision for a brand-new awards platform and believed in the importance of celebrating class-based businesses.
Meet the Class Business Awards 2026 Finalists
Being named as a finalist is a significant achievement.
Behind every name on the finalist list is a story.
There are founders who started with one class and a handful of customers before building thriving businesses and communities.
There are independent providers earning recognition alongside established national brands.
There are businesses creating innovative services, developing talented teams and building partnerships that allow them to reach more people.
There are also organisations using classes to improve confidence, increase access, support wellbeing and create lasting community impact.
Today is about celebrating all of them and giving their work the national visibility it deserves.
View the full list of The Class Business Awards 2026 finalists here.
Congratulations to every business and individual who has earned their place as a finalist.
Watch the official Finalist reveal
The finalists were officially announced during a special live reveal!
Alongside revealing the finalists across all 20 categories, I shared more about the journey behind the Awards, the judging process and the exciting plans for The Class Business Live and Awards Dinner in October.
Watch The Class Business Awards 2026 Finalist Reveal on YouTube.
You’re a Finalist. Now it’s time to share the news!
If you heard your name announced, this is your moment to celebrate.
Your Finalists Portal contains everything you need for the next stage of the journey, including your official Class Business Awards 2026 finalist badge and graphics.
Download your badge, share your news with your customers and community, and let them celebrate this achievement with you. You can use your finalist graphics across your website, social media, email marketing, booking platform and promotional materials.
You’ll also be able to book your finalist podcast interview, giving you the opportunity to share your story, celebrate your achievements and shine a spotlight on the impact your business is making.
Keep an eye on your inbox for further updates, resources and important information as we build towards what is going to be an unforgettable night at The Class Business Live & Awards Dinner.
And don’t forget to tag The Class Business Awards when you share your news so we can celebrate with you.
Shining a spotlight on the sector
The Class Business Awards have always been about more than one awards ceremony.
From the beginning, the aim has been to create a platform that champions the sector throughout the year.
Since January, we’ve interviewed sponsors, judges, nominees and business owners, recording more than 60 conversations exploring their stories, knowledge and achievements.
We’ve travelled across the UK, built new relationships and spoken to entrepreneurs from different industries about the incredible work happening within the class business sector.
Finalists will now have the opportunity to take part in their own podcast spotlight interview between July and September.
These interviews will celebrate their achievements, share their stories and introduce more people to the businesses creating meaningful impact across the UK.
This finalist announcement is an important milestone, but it’s also just the beginning.
The Awards have grown, and so has the vision
The original plan was to bring finalists, sponsors and judges together for a business breakfast before the evening Awards ceremony.
But the Awards have grown arms and legs, and so has the vision.
That original breakfast has now become The Class Business Live, a full daytime business event taking place before the black-tie Awards Dinner.
The programme has been shaped around the needs class business owners told us mattered most:
- Visibility
- Marketing
- Sales
- Leadership
- Growth
- Partnerships
- Community
- Building a sustainable business
Throughout the day, attendees will hear from expert speakers, take part in focused mastermind conversations and connect with experienced business owners, suppliers and specialists who understand the realities of growing a class-based business.
There will be 20 expert-led mastermind tables covering subjects such as content that converts, email marketing, customer nurturing, events, local visibility and building a business that lasts.
This is no longer simply an awards event.
It’s a day designed to help class business owners learn, grow, build relationships and create new opportunities before coming together to celebrate the sector in style.
Join us at The Class Business Live & Awards Dinner
On Saturday 10 October 2026, finalists, nominees, judges, sponsors and ambitious class business owners from across the UK will come together at the National Conference Centre in Solihull.
The day begins with The Class Business Live, featuring expert speakers, practical learning, mastermind tables, exhibitors and opportunities to connect with people who understand what it takes to build and grow a class-based business.
In the evening, we’ll swap business conversations for black-tie celebrations as we recognise every finalist and reveal the first ever Class Business Awards winners.
There will be dinner, entertainment, a DJ and plenty of opportunities to celebrate everything that makes this sector so special.
You don’t need to be a finalist to attend.
The event is open to nominees, sponsors, judges and anyone who wants to grow their business, meet other ambitious business owners and be part of this landmark moment for the sector.
Your ticket gives you access to both the daytime event and the evening Awards Dinner, with a payment plan available.
Purchase your ticket for The Class Business Live & Awards Dinner here.
This is what The Class Business Awards are all about
This is about much more than winning an award.
It’s about learning, growing, building relationships, creating opportunities and celebrating the people who make the class business sector what it is.
On 10 October, we’re bringing the industry together to make some noise and show everyone exactly what this sector is made of.
Congratulations again to all The Class Business Awards 2026 finalists. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Solihull!
