Great British Brands 2026 Awards: Who Are The Winners?

Now in its 11th year, the Great British Brands Awards continues to celebrate brands that champion craftsmanship, innovation and a commitment to sustainability. With three new categories added to the lineup for 2026 – Best Experiential Activation, Best Storytelling and Best Collaboration – here are the brands that stood out to our esteemed panel of GBB judges.

Sponsored by Rathbones

Great British Brands Awards 2026: The Winners

The Judging Panel

As ever, we gathered some of the most authoritative voices in British business, luxury and culture to closely and carefully go through all the award entries. We then met up in person for a collaborative final decision-making session. 

Caroline Rush

Chief executive of the British Fashion Council 

Caroline Rush is a prominent fashion executive and cultural advocate recognised for shaping the landscape of British fashion.

Beverley Knight

Actress and singer-songwriter

A true icon of British music, Beverley Knight is a pioneering soul artist and celebrated West End leading lady.  

Dylan Jones

Journalist and author

A leading figure in British media, Dylan Jones is an award-winning editor, author and long-standing commentator on culture and style.

Philip Colbert

Artist

Pop artist Philip Colbert is famous for his cartoon lobster alter ego that fuses historical art with modern digital culture

José Miguel Sokoloff

President, MullenLowe Global Creative Council

José Miguel Sokoloff is celebrated for advertising campaigns that have influenced global conversations.

Dr Nicola Hodson

Chair and chief executive, IBM UK & Ireland

Nicola Hodson is leading the tech giant IBM’s strategy across innovation and responsible AI.

Simogetta Rigo

Chief client officer, Rathbones

Simonetta Rigo has 30 years of experience across global and UK financial services.

Who Are The Great British Brands 2026 Award Winners?

BEST EMERGING BRAND

This award recognises an exciting newcomer making waves in British luxury. 

Winner: Town Hall by Bottaccio

This building in King’s Cross redefines the modern town hall as a space built for the purpose of connection and cultural exchange. Judges praised its originality and ambition – a multi-layered destination where art, ideas and community come together. Still evolving, it offers London a new civic hub, with programming that welcomes everyone. townhall.co.uk

Highly commended: Avalon by Loomah

This handmade rug brand impressed judges with its clarity, craft and strong emerging identity. Beautiful collections and a coherent design ethos make it instantly recognisable, while its presence across design-focused media signals real creative momentum. avalonbyloomah.com

 

BEST EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVATION

One of this year’s new categories, this recognises the most creative and impactful brand experience – physical or digital – that engaged audiences and left a lasting impression.

Winner: Chelsea in Bloom by Cadogan

Chelsea in bloom won unanimous praise for its extraordinarily executed experience. Judges highlighted the sheer beauty of the installations, the inclusivity of an event open to everyone, and the staggering number of visitors it attracts each year. It is truly original and transforms the streets into a celebration of creativity and community. cadogan.co.uk/event/chelsea-in-bloom

Highly Commended: Christy x Wimbledon

The judges were impressed by its authenticity and deep alignment with the tournament’s heritage. The iconic towel – already synonymous with Wimbledon – was brought alive in its Pavilion space to show off its craftmanship and design legacy. Judges loved how true it felt to the spirit of the championships. christy.co.uk

Shortlisted:

• Elemis Skin Spa
• Really Wild

BEST COLLABORATION

Winner: Barbour x Farm Rio

Barbour’s collaboration with Farm Rio caught the imagination of the judges for its originality, cultural richness (bringing the British countryside together with Brazilian vibrancy!) and beautifully crafted product. They loved how Barbour immersed itself in its partner’s world, creating a collection that delved deep into the DNA of both brands. barbour.com/gb/womens/collaborations/barbour-farm-rio

Highly Commended: ELEMIS x Aston Martin F1

Celebrated for its bold strategic leap, judges admired the partnership’s recognition of the rapidly growing female and youth audience within Formula 1 and the ambition to meet that shift head-on.
uk.elemis.com

Shortlisted:

• Fairfax & Favor x Lydia Millen
• Wiston x Simon Rogan Rosé Sparkling Wine
• Westley Richards x Tito West x Royal African Safaris

COMMITMENT TO CRAFT

Celebrating brands that keep heritage techniques alive or elevate craftsmanship into contemporary art forms.

Winner: Purdey

Purdey impressed judges with its exceptional craftsmanship that is felt in every detail of its work. Its heritage, multi-generational skill and uncompromising commitment to excellence set it apart, with judges praising how the brand’s authenticity and artistry are notable across all its offerings. purdey.com

Highly commended: British Racing Motors (BRM Revival)

The panel were captivated by its bold resurrection of an iconic British racing brand. The meticulous reconstruction of the legendary V16 showcased impressive engineering craft and judges admired the technical brilliance and modern storytelling behind the revival. britishracingmotors.co.uk

Shortlisted: 

• Really Wild
• Vivienne Westwood
• Peter Harrington
• Pragnell

 

COMMITMENT TO PLANET

Recognising brands that champion environmental responsibility and embed sustainable practices at every level.

Winner: DEPLOY

DEPLOY impressed judges for having sustainability built into its business model, from zero-waste, on-demand production to local manufacturing and full transparency. With one of the highest B Corp scores in global fashion, the brand leads with purpose, empowering women and prioritising low-impact design. deployworkshop.com

Highly commended: Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd earned high commendation for its significant sustainability progress as a heritage brand. Judges admired the difficulty and ambition of retrofitting operations across a centuries-old business, from supply chain improvements to responsible delivery systems. Achieving B Corp certification, BBR shows how legacy brands can evolve with integrity. bbr.com

Shortlisted: 

• Boodles
• ELEMIS
• Carrier

 

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Honouring brands that go beyond profit to nurture people and place, building meaningful connections within local or global communities.

Winner: County Hall Kingston by London Square

London Square wins for its authentic and measurable approach to community-building. Judges praised its commitment to meaningful engagement, supported by strong KPIs and a clear sense of purpose. In a post-pandemic landscape, London Square stood out for investing thoughtfully in placemaking. countyhallkingston.co.uk

Highly commended: Town Hall by Bottaccio 

This town hall receives high commendation for its inclusive vision of community. Judges admired its ambition to unite paying members with students, locals and creatives, with an open and democratic space. Though newly launched, it shows exciting potential to support emerging talent and enrich the ever-evolving King’s Cross area. townhall.co.uk

Shortlisted: 

• Pragnell
• Boodles
• Sims Hilditch

 

BEST PRODUCT

For the product that captures the spirit of British luxury today – exceptional design, craftsmanship, and desirability combined.

Winner: Door locks by Banham

Banham redefines the everyday with a lock elevated into an object of craft and distinction. Judges praised its originality, engineering integrity and the delight of transforming something functional into something ‘that makes you feel safe’. With its tactile key design, the Banham lock stood out as unexpected and refreshingly distinctive. banham.co.uk

Highly Commended: Hand-woven carpets by Deirdre Dyson

These impressed the judges with their painterly artistry and exceptional craftsmanship. Each design begins as a fine artwork, translated into vivid, light-driven rugs woven by skilled artisans. The panel admired the originality and colour mastery of Dyson’s work. deirdredyson.com

Shortlisted: 

• Clothing by New & Lingwood
• Bedroom furniture by And So To Bed

 

BEST STORYTELLING

For the brand that has mastered the art of storytelling – through film, digital, social, print, live activation or a combination.

Winner: Holland Cooper

Holland Cooper wins for its bold and brilliantly British storytelling. Judges loved the unexpected casting in its Icons campaign – from Clare Balding to Mary Berry – which injected wit and warmth into the campaign. High visibility across print, digital and social demonstrated excellent brand communication. Women-led, Holland Cooper delivered a narrative that felt fresh and confident. hollandcooper.com

Highly commended: Purdey

Purdey’s Tweed campaign showed a natural brand extension brought to life with charm and character (literally), instantly conveying Purdey’s world of heritage, craft and rural elegance. Judges loved the campaign’s consistency. purdey.com

Shortlisted:

• Morris x Co. x The Huntington
• Turquoise Holidays
• PoB Hotels

GBB JUDGES’ AWARD

Awarded to a brand chosen at the judges’ discretion that exemplifies how a brand excels in every sphere.

Winner: Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd receives the Judges’ Award for its extraordinary blend of heritage, integrity and modern relevance. Judges praised its iconic brand universe – from the unchanged St James’s shopfront to its exquisitely maintained interiors – as well as its commitment to innovation, sustainability and craft. Berry Bros. & Rudd remains a benchmark of British excellence: a historic brand that is looking the future in the face, while staying true to its character. bbr.com