Wokingham's Top Business Leaders Celebrated for Growth and Resilience

From 260% revenue surges to inspiring comebacks, these businesses proved resilience pays off. Discover the stories behind their record-breaking success.

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2026 May 25 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

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Wokingham's Top Business Leaders Celebrated for Growth and Resilience

A prestigious awards ceremony took place in December at Easthampstead Park Hotel in Wokingham. The event recognised business owners for their hard work, resilience, and contributions to job creation and economic growth. Several companies and leaders were honoured for their outstanding achievements over the past year. The evening celebrated businesses that demonstrated remarkable growth. Vacant Events won the Scale Up Growth award after achieving a 260% increase in revenue over the last 12 months. Progressive Sports also stood out, securing the Scale Up Acquisition award by doubling their turnover from £2 million to £4 million in 2023 through a key purchase.

A fast-growing HVAC company took home The 1% Club award for reaching a £15 million turnover in 2023. Meanwhile, Shorade UK was named Grown-Up Business Of the Year after scaling beyond £10 million and completing multiple acquisitions. Céline Aolé, CEO of UKLC, received the Scale Up CEO of the Year award for expanding her business to over £7 million in just a few years, following the challenges of Covid.

The ceremony also featured a keynote speech by Claire Lomas MBE, who shared her inspiring journey of overcoming paralysis to achieve success. Organisers emphasised the role of business coaching and mentoring in helping companies scale and thrive. The awards highlighted the determination and innovation of business leaders across different sectors. Winners showcased significant financial growth, strategic acquisitions, and resilience in overcoming challenges. The event reinforced the value of support networks in driving long-term business success.