21st November, London — Natalie and Adam Bamford have been awarded Start Up of the Year for The Midlands at The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Recognised annually as one of the most prestigious accolades in the entrepreneurial world, The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards received over 5,000 applications this year alone.
A Triumph in a Highly Competitive Field
Making the shortlist is an achievement in its own right given the calibre of competition, underlining the significance of Colleague Box's win.
Previous winner James Watt, founder of BrewDog, said that winning was "better than winning the World Cup." Steven Bartlett has gone as far as to dub the awards as "The Grammys of Entrepreneurship," highlighting the glamour and prestige associated with the event.
The judges commented:
Francesca James, founder of The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said:
“I am thrilled to witness the extraordinary achievements of this year's winners. Their success stories are a testament to the dynamic and innovative spirit that thrives within UK entrepreneurship. These inspiring entrepreneurs embody the creativity, determination, and passion that are at the heart of our nation's business success. Their accomplishments not only celebrate their own journeys but also light the way for future generations of innovators and business leaders”.
Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, commented:
“It has been a real honour to sponsor this year’s GBEA awards. Hearing the inspiring stories from this year’s winners really brings to life the important contribution British entrepreneurs make to our economy. At Allica, we couldn’t be more excited to see such a talented group of individuals making their mark in the business world and we'll be keeping a close eye on what they do next.”
About Colleague Box by Co-Founder Natalie Bamford
In April 2020, my husband and I created Colleague Box, which started by us sending gift boxes to our colleagues at the tech company where we both worked. Our aim was to bring some joy to people during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we realized there was a gap in the market. With the help of our boss, we turned our idea from our kitchen table into a successful business, generating a turnover of £1.3 million in just five months, and acquiring our first warehouse and workforce, all without any investments.
Today, we are proud to be a multi-award-winning, multi-million-pound family business with a high-end customer base and ambitious growth plans.
About The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards
The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate and champion entrepreneurs across the UK, building communities to support their endeavours at various stages of their journey.
With stiff competition and a history of recognising businesses that become household names, the awards are a beacon of excellence in the entrepreneurial landscape.
The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards are more than just an awards programme. Known as the 'Grammys of Entrepreneurship,' the awards have become a community that supports, celebrates, and champions entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey.
With more than 5,000 entries annually, the awards aim to discover and recognise the brilliance within the entrepreneurial business community across the UK.
Previous Winners
The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards have a strong track record of identifying exceptional entrepreneurs across nine nations and regions before they become household names.
Beyond those mentioned in the release, previous winners include Johnny & Pauline Paterson of Dr PawPaw, Hannah & Sophie Pycroft of Spectrum Collections, Philip Belmont of Zilch, Justin Basini of ClearScore, Lizzie Carter of Only Curls, and Dave Linton of MadLUG.
These entrepreneurs have been transformative forces in their respective sectors, paving the way for innovation and job creation.
Judges
The awards are judged by a panel of some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, including the founders of Specsavers, Poundland, and Innocent.
Final Words From co-founder Adam Bamford
"As a husband-and-wife team working from our spare room, winning the Start-Up of the Year award at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is an incredible honour.
This journey has been a labour of love, and we are beyond grateful for this prestigious recognition. It's a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that our entire team has poured into building Colleague Box.
This award not only validates our efforts but also inspires us to continue crafting meaningful, personalised gifts that bring joy to people's lives. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our story, and here's to the exciting chapters ahead!"
