RSK Group and its CEO shortlisted in British Business Awards

RSK Group has made the shortlist for two British Business Awards this year, with Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder in line for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the business recognised for its growth strategy in a second award shortlisting.

More than 300 companies entered the British Business Awards, which are being presented in association with NatWest. Each entry has been evaluated and judged by an independent shortlisting panel that examined the business’s positive impact on its workforce and sector and overall contribution to the British economy. The shortlist will now go forward to the main judging panel comprising 18 independent judges, all key figures from British industry, including Vinodka Murria OBE, Phil Urban, Chief Executive Officer of Mitchells & Butlers, and Emma Crystal, Chief Executive Officer of Coutts Bank.

RSK Chief Operating Officer Nigel Board said: “At RSK, we are proud of our achievements and the colleagues who helped us to build the impressive multi-sector business we have today. RSK is a truly global company, which started life in the UK in 1989 and has retained its headquarters here, contributing to this economy and, of course, the economies of 40 countries on six continents around the world. We are pleased to participate in an awards ceremony that recognises the contribution of British businesses while ensuring that this celebration raises vital funds to support some of the most vulnerable in society.”

Of Alan’s award shortlisting, Nigel said that he had worked with Alan for nearly 25 years and had seen his leadership style evolve over this time. “Throughout, he has always been very prepared to counsel the opinion of others and to take people along on the journey with him. He has a very open communication style and engagement with people throughout the business, not just his senior leadership team; he consequently enjoys the respect of colleagues throughout the organisation who consider him to be not only a highly effective entrepreneur but approachable and personable too.”

The awards will see 143 companies across 18 awards vying for the top spot at the ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday, 24 April 2025. The awards are raising funds for beneficiary homelessness charity Social Bite, with a target of raising £1 million through the event and a fundraising lunch happening earlier in the day being organised with Gleneagles Hotel. Up to 2000 business leaders are set to attend, making it the largest business dinner in the UK.

Judging panel chair and former Unilever Chief Executive Officer Alan Jope said: “In spite of the economic headwinds facing British businesses, our incredible shortlist shows that leading British companies are thriving and in turn are powering the economy and job creation through their hard work and resilience. It came across loud and clear from the hundreds of entries we received for the awards that businesses are having to innovate and adapt like never before. It’s been inspirational to see the incredible work that’s going on behind the scenes in companies of all shapes and sizes across the UK.

“The 2025 shortlist reflects the hugely diverse range of businesses we have in this country, and I know our judges are going to have some tough decisions on their hands when it comes to determining our winners.”

NatWest Group Head of Business Banking and International Retail James Holian said: “It’s wonderful to see such a high calibre of entries to the British Business Awards. The UK is full of entrepreneurial, creative and innovative businesses, and we’re seeing those at the forefront of the UK’s economy through this process. Seeing the high level of commercial excellence across multiple sectors makes me extremely confident about the future of British business.”

Founding Partner and Event Director of the British Business Awards Josh Littlejohn MBE said: “We are so excited to see the event bring together some of the most successful and economically influential people in the UK to celebrate their success, while at the same time raising funds for some of the most vulnerable people in society. Thank you to all the companies participating in the awards this year.”