The Cardiff Business Awards have revealed the shortlist for 2025, celebrating the very best of the capital city’s businesses and entrepreneurs.
Now in their 11th year, the awards recognise excellence across 18 categories, with 74 companies and individuals making the shortlist. Winners, including the highly sought-after Cardiff Business of the Year, will be announced at a black-tie gala on Friday 14 November at Holland House, Cardiff.
The judging panel is chaired by Jessica Leigh-Jones MBE, engineer, entrepreneur and founder of iungo Solutions, who will be joined by sponsors and business leaders from across Cardiff.
Liz Brookes of Grapevine Event Management said:
“We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the 11th Cardiff Business Awards. The support for this year’s awards has been outstanding, and for over a decade we have celebrated the incredible talent and achievements of Cardiff’s business community. This year’s shortlist is exceptional, and we look forward to meeting the entrepreneurs and business leaders at the upcoming judging interviews.”
Chair of Judges, Jessica Leigh-Jones MBE, added:
“We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the businesses that entered the Cardiff Business Awards and for the effort they put into their applications. We are immensely impressed by the calibre of entries this year, which made it very challenging for us to determine the shortlist. We look forward to meeting the shortlisted applicants during the judging process and celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony in November.”
Headline sponsor Gareth Kloet, Director of Partnerships at Go.Compare, commented:
“It has been a real privilege to be involved with the shortlisting process for the Cardiff Business Awards. With so many excellent businesses to celebrate, narrowing these down has been difficult. The quality of the nominated businesses is truly outstanding, and the awards are a great opportunity to showcase their brilliant work. We are excited to help shine a light on their achievements and look forward to the announcement of the winners.”
The 2025 Cardiff Business Awards shortlist
Construction Business of the Year
- BESL trading as CMB Engineering
- Goldbeck Construction Ltd
- EBD Steel Doors
- The Cadmen Ltd
Creative Business of the Year
- Cardiff Theatrical Services
- DEPOT Group
- Do Digital Agency
- Great Point Studios
Digital Business of the Year
- Cavefish
- The Cadmen Ltd
- Shipshape.VC
Employer of the Year
- All Clear Travel Insurance
- Ceaton Security Services
- Hoop Recruitment
- Rocket Science Group
- WCS Group
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Jarrad Morris – PLUG Charging
- Giovanni Malacrino – Giovannis Restaurants Group
- Cristina Grilo – We are Optimo
- Simone Smith – Studio Tarw
Family Business of the Year
- AG Meek
- Streetwise Driving School
- TB Davies
- Vegetarian Food Studio
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
- All Clear Travel Insurance
- Delio
- Hoop Recruitment
- Pure Property Finance
Green Business of the Year
- Boomerang Cardiff
- CatSci
- FleetEV
- Voco St David’s Cardiff
- Wolf Studios Wales
Innovation Business of the Year
- 4 Real Creative
- A1 Diagnostics
- Cansford Laboratories
- Excelerate Technology
International Business of the Year
- BCB International
- CatSci
- GCRS Global
Leisure & Hospitality Business of the Year
- DEPOT Group
- Giovannis Restaurants Group
- Marriott Hotel Cardiff
- Park Plaza Cardiff
- Tom by Tom Simmons
- Voco St Davids Cardiff
Manufacturing Business of the Year
- BC International
- EBD Steel Doors
- Lunia 3D
Retail Business of the Year
- AG Meek
- Cardiff Gold
- River Island Cardiff St Davids
- Storage Giant
- The Television and Movie Store
SME of the Year
- Body and Soul Autoworks
- Cansford Laboratories
- Ground Bakery
- Hiraeth Architecture
- IGP
Start-Up Business of the Year
- Cardiff Lovelist
- Meritus
- PharmaFootpath
- Romodels
- Umbrella Faith
Technology Business of the Year
- Excelerate Technology
- Lunia 3D
- Rocket Science Group
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
- Autism Puzzles T/A AP Cymru The Neurodiversity Charity
- Boomerang Cardiff
- Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative
- HDA
- Latch Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity
- Screen Alliance Wales
Young Business Person of the Year
- Jake Appleton – Meritus
- Morgan Wilce – Birchwood Motors
- Haydn Wakeling – Black Swan Productions
- Finlay Aston – Complete Business Solutions
The awards are sponsored and supported by Go.Compare, Cardiff Gold, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dale Maintenance, FleetEv, Landsec, Redkite Solicitors, Premier Asset Finance, Swansea Building Society, Visit Cardiff, Stills and Business News Wales.
Funds raised on the night will support City Hospice, and the awards are organised by Grapevine Event Management.
Tickets for the Cardiff Business Awards are now on sale, with an Earlybird rate available for a limited time, at cardiffbusinessawards.com.
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