Family Business Wins UK's Top SME Award from George Clooney

When George Clooney handed Champions Speakers the SME of the Year trophy at the British Business Awards, it marked the kind of moment most family businesses only dream about. But for this remarkable enterprise, it was recognition of years building something truly special together.

Champions Speakers is run entirely by one family: mom, dad, two sons, and three daughters all working side by side. Together, they've created a company that now delivers thousands of speaking events annually across 66 countries.

"Standing on that stage as a family and receiving SME of the Year was genuinely surreal," sales director Sophia Hayes told GB News. Meeting Clooney himself? "He was every bit as charming and welcoming as you'd imagine."

The company didn't reach the top overnight. Like most enduring success stories, Champions started with humble beginnings and a simple philosophy: deliver exceptional service, build strong relationships, and genuinely care about quality.

"It absolutely started one booking at a time," Hayes explained. "We've always believed that if you consistently look after your clients properly and genuinely care about quality, growth follows."

That approach sets them apart in an industry where speed and volume often win. Champions takes the opposite route, treating every client with the same care whether they're booking a global conference or a smaller corporate event.

Why This Inspires

The judges looked beyond just financial success. They evaluated culture, innovation, and wider impact. Champions scored across all three categories.

The family's resilience shone brightest during COVID-19, when an industry built on people gathering faced an existential threat. Instead of freezing, they quickly embraced virtual events and kept innovating when standing still would have been easier.

"That period really reinforced the strength of the business and the people within it," Hayes reflected. The pandemic became proof that their foundation was solid.

Brother Jack, who's led the speakers division for 13 years, saw his dedication recognized on a national stage. For Sophia, watching him receive the award made it more than a business win. "It felt like a family milestone."

The company's expansion tells its own story: international growth, technology investments, and specialist teams with deep sector knowledge. But at its heart, Champions remains what it's always been: a family working together to help others shine.

From one booking to thousands across the globe, their journey proves that caring deeply about people never goes out of style.