The Animal Focused Alliance has been chosen as a finalist for the New Business award at this year's Small Awards. 

Now in its tenth year the Small Awards is a nationwide search for the UK’s greatest small firms, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions and supports the nation’s 5.5 million small firms.

The Alliance was set up in 2025 to support pet businesses across the UK in raising standards and keeping business owners current, confident and compliant through updates, training and expert advice. 

It has been selected as one of just eight finalists for the New Kid on the Block Award for best business start-up, which commends businesses that started in the last 18 months and have demonstrated considerable progress to grow and develop.

The Small Awards celebrate the successes of Britain’s small businesses, with eleven different awards for small firms leading the way across everything from sustainability to digital adoption, and showcasing all types of small businesses including social enterprises, family owned businesses, sole traders and start-ups.

“We are so proud to be celebrating a decade of the Small Awards. The awards celebrate the very best of the UK’s small business owners, who make such a difference in their local communities and are a key driver of the nation’s economic growth,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain. 

“The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the success and contributions of so many small businesses, the Animal Focused Alliance is extremely deserving of being a finalist, and we look forward to celebrating together in May.”

Alliance founder Vicky Skinner commented: “To be recognised at a national level is incredible, and another significant milestone for the Alliance, which has already made a name for itself and formed a number of strategic partnerships within its first year of business. There are so many impressive new businesses in the UK, so it's a huge achievement to make the shortlist.”

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the winners of all categories, including the overall winner of the Small Business of the Year award, will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 21st May 2026.