Last Thursday evening (12th November 2025) proved to be an unforgettable milestone for Team UKREiiF as we took home not one, but two coveted accolades at the Yorkshire Post Business Awards. What began as an exciting evening of anticipation turned into a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and passion that our small but mighty team brings to UKREiiF year-round.

Business of the Year: A Win for the Whole Team

Of the two awards, the most meaningful for us as an organisation was being named Small Business of the Year in the 10–50 staff category. With just circa 18 employees delivering UKREiiF across the full calendar year, this achievement is a testament to the commitment and creativity that each person brings to the table.

What particularly resonated with the judges was our deep-rooted focus on Social Value, an area we have worked tirelessly to embed into the heart of everything we do. Hearing that this emphasis played a role in winning the award made the moment all the more special.

Our reason for entering was simple: to give the team the recognition they truly deserve. Every success story, every milestone, every challenge overcome, it’s a reflection of the people who make UKREiiF what it is. This award belongs to all of them.

A Personal Honour: Yorkshire Business Leader of the Year

The second award of the night came as a personal surprise to our Managing Director, Nathan Spencer: being named Yorkshire Business Leader of the Year. Sponsored by S&W and presented by Vanessa Lee, this honour was completely unexpected given the strength of the field. Among the talented finalists was Benjamin Campbell of the Royal Armouries Museum, someone Nathan himself would have happily cast his own vote for, and much of our team would have done the same.

Entering this category was done with the modest hope of simply securing a shortlist position to support some positive PR and personal branding for Nathan. Walking away with the win was an incredible bonus!

A Night of Purpose: Supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research

Beyond the awards, the evening served an important purpose: raising funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research. While the final total wasn’t announced on the night, the atmosphere was filled with generosity and goodwill. The event struck a superb balance between celebration and charitable impact, weaving together recognition and fundraising with real class.

Highlight of the Night: Dame Linda Pollard

One of the standout moments came early in the evening when our table spotted Dame Linda Pollard. Someone proclaimed, “She’s a legend, she definitely deserves the Lifetime Achievement Award.” And in perfect alignment with that prediction, she indeed took home that honour in the night’s final award presentation.

Small Team. Mighty Impact.

Our team may be small, but they are nothing short of extraordinary. Their energy, resilience, and commitment are the driving forces behind UKREiiF’s growth and success. The evening was a reminder of what a group of passionate individuals can achieve together.

Well done Team UKREiiF! Mighty doesn’t even begin to cover it.

And congratulations to all the finalists, highly commended nominees, and fellow winners. We’ll be celebrating alongside you.