Emma McSkelly, founder of NCM Auctions named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Known as “The Grammys of Entrepreneurship”, the awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK. This year’s shortlist includes over 800 entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK, all recognised for their innovation, impact and resilience.

Past winners include the founders of BrewDog, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch, and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their entrepreneurial journey by the awards.

This year’s finalists:

• Employ over 25,000 people across the UK
• Expect to create more than 9,000 new jobs over the next year
• Generate a combined turnover of £2.25 billion
• Represent an average business age of six years

Talking about being shortlisted, Emma McSkelly added: “I’m proud to be named a finalist for Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year. Entrepreneur might be singular, but growing a business from £0 to £10 million is never a solo effort. I didn’t do it alone.

It takes a team that backs you and your mission to challenge the old rules of auctioneering and asset disposition and build something sharper, more sustainable and fit for modern business.”

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are proudly supported by Allica Bank, a champion of established SMEs across the UK.

Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica said: “At Allica, we're consistently inspired by the energy and strength of UK SMEs. This year’s finalists – from early-stage start-ups to established and family businesses – represent a vital force in the British economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and making a real difference in their communities. We’re proud to support the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the third year in a row, recognising these outstanding business leaders who are not only demonstrating resilience in a challenging business environment but are paving the way for future entrepreneurs to follow.”

Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, added: “We’re so proud to reveal this year’s shortlist, a truly remarkable group of founders who are changing lives and transforming industries. The quality of entries gets stronger every year, and it’s clear that the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK is more alive than ever.

Many of our finalists go on to become household names, and we can’t wait to watch what this year’s cohort achieves next.”

 

Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on Monday, November 17th 2025, held at London’s Grosvenor House, where over 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders will come together to celebrate entrepreneurial success.