Champions Speakers Named as Winner in The Department for Business and Trade’s 2025 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards

Champions Speakers recognised among UK’s top 12 exporting SME businesses by the Department for Business and Trade.

Beating off an estimated 5.49 million other SME’s in the UK, Europe’s leading international keynote speaker agency, was selected as a winner in the Consultancy & Professional Services category

Champions Speakers was recognised for its remarkable 122% export growth over the past two years and for delivering outstanding global reach – which has seen them offer their services in 66 countries, and the first keynote speakers bureau to win this award. 

Now in their third year, the awards celebrate outstanding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have achieved remarkable success in international markets. 

The award is a significant moment in the growth of the revered Global Keynote Speakers Agency. 

Commenting, Jack Hayes, Director of Champions Speakers, shared his pride in the award: “Winning this award is an immense honour for the entire team at Champions. Over the past few years, we have committed ourselves to building a truly global service, and being recognised by the Department for Business and Trade in this way is both humbling and affirming.” 

Hayes was appointed director in 2012 becoming one of the youngest directors in the UK. A year later, Jack became a founding member of the European Association of Speakers Bureaux (EASB), collaborating with other speaker agencies to create a code of ethics and regulations for the industry. Jack is also a member of The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, a Livery Company in the City of London. Earlier this year he was appointed to the prestigious Forbes Business Council.

“This achievement is a testament to our relentless focus on quality, innovation, and relationship-building with clients and partners worldwide,” he continued. “Whether we’re delivering high-impact keynote speakers for a Fortune 500 conference in New York, organising thought leadership forums in the Middle East or arranging a showpiece event in London, our mission remains the same: to connect ideas, stories and talent across borders.

“Exporting is not just a part of our business, it’s part of our identity. We’ve grown our global footprint by understanding cultural nuance, adapting to new markets, and investing in talent and technology that scales internationally. I want to thank our brilliant team and loyal clients for helping us achieve this milestone. We’re proud to represent the best of British services abroad and this is just the start of our story.”

Champions Speakers, and all the 2025 winners were selected from thousands of entries across 12 categories.

This year judges placed special emphasis on the UK’s excellence in sustainability and digital innovation.

Each winner receives a tailored promotional package including industry recognition, mentoring opportunities, and a winners’ reception in London.

The Government hopes the success stories from these awards will inspire more UK businesses to explore global markets and take full advantage of international trade opportunities.

Commenting Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, said: 

“The innovation and entrepreneurship shown by the businesses entering the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards demonstrate the best of British business.  When small businesses export, the whole economy benefits. By celebrating the outstanding international trade achievements of UK SMEs, we hope to encourage more businesses to get on the exporting ladder and take the best of Britain to markets around the world.   

Notes to editors: 

About Champions Speakers:  

Recognised in the Consultancy & Professional Services category, Champions Speakers is a leading speaker bureau in the UK and Europe, boasting a network of over 8,000 of the best keynote and motivational speakers. Serving 66 countries and organising over 5,000 events annually, Champions Speakers provides expertise and a diverse range of talent to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.  

Founded in 2003, the business continues to build its bureau of dedicated keynote speaker agents who provide bespoke speaker selections, including placing board, executive and c-suite speakers for government and private organisations, in addition to celebrity influencers for brand campaigns. The decision to take the business to multiple markets has reaped dividends with rapid 122% growth from £13.6 million in 2021 to £30.1 million in 2023, while in 2024 Champions Speakers’ turnover was £31.4m. 

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 2025 Winners of the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards: 

Advanced Manufacturing & Construction – Avon Specialty Metals (Gloucester): Selling to 20+ countries with exporting accounting for 31% of revenue from sustainable alloy/metal recycling and AI-driven processing 

Agriculture, Food & Drink – Gerald McDonald and Company Ltd (Basildon, Essex): World’s largest supplier of premium Japanese yuzu juice, exporting to 4 continents 

Consultancy & Professional Services – Champions Speakers (Loughborough): Exporting to 66 countries, 122% growth in two years 

Creative Industries – Luminous Show Technology (Exeter): Special effects hardware used in Harry Potter and the Commonwealth Games, with 35% export revenue 

Digital & Technology – Porotech (Cambridge): 90% export revenue; cutting-edge AR and AI display tech 

Education & EdTech – Twin Science & Robotics Ltd (London): STEM tools used in 40+ countries, 93% export revenue 

Financial Services & FinTech – Ozone Financial Technology Ltd (London): Exports to 15 countries; 77% of revenue from international markets 

Healthcare – LIMB-art (Conwy, Wales): Stylish prosthetics sold in 10 countries; 30% of revenue from exports 

Infrastructure & Engineering – Maritime Developments Limited (Aberdeen): 92% export revenue from offshore energy tech 

Low Carbon Energy – Osbit (Riding Mill, Northumberland): Bespoke offshore wind equipment exported to 9 countries 

Retail & Consumer Goods – Jenolite UK Ltd (Biggleswade, Bedfordshire): Iconic rust removal brand exporting to 50+ countries, with £2.9M in export revenue 

Export Services – ubloquity (Scarva, Northern Ireland): AI, blockchain and digital identity solutions empowering businesses to scale globally