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Winners of the Signature Awards 2025 London are announced

The Signature Awards 2025 London returned in spectacular style on Thursday 26th September, hosted at the prestigious Hilton Park Lane Hotel. Bringing together over 500 entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators, the event celebrated excellence, ambition, and leadership — honouring those shaping the future of business in the UK and beyond.

Delivered by Nachural, the Signature Awards have become one of the UK’s foremost platforms for recognising success and entrepreneurial vision. Supported by Fraser Stretton as headline sponsor, this year’s London edition captured the awards’ defining spirit of innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

Guests were treated to an inspiring keynote from Surinder Arora, the visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist behind one of the UK’s most successful hotel and property groups. His story of perseverance and purpose set the perfect tone for an evening dedicated to celebrating determination and excellence in business.

The highlight of the evening came as the winners of the Signature Awards 2025 London were announced — each representing outstanding achievement and impact within their respective industries.

Award Winners – The Signature Awards 2025 London:

Global Impact Award – Shekar Natarajan
Entrepreneur of the Year – Parminder Singh Dhandwar
Excellence in Real Estate/Architecture – Westcombe Group
International Business of the Year – Currencies 4 You
Enterprise of the Year – Greystone Solicitors
Business Person of the Year – Shilpa Chedda
Business Woman of the Year – Reena Popat
Community Excellence – London’s Community Kitchen
SME of the Year – Samartin & Friends
Excellence in Innovation – Sigcare Pharmacy
Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion – Bae HQ
Excellence in Financial Services – Lawrence Grant
Excellence in Legal Services – Harold Benjamin
Business Start-Up of the Year – Diamond Lab
Excellence in Technology – CurvUp
Excellence in Customer Service – HiveRisk
Business of the Year – London Town Group

The Global Impact Award was presented to Shekar Natarajan, Founder and CEO of Orchestro.AI, for his transformative contributions to global logistics and supply chain innovation. Having held senior leadership roles at Walmart, Disney, Target, and PepsiCo, Natarajan has been instrumental in revolutionising the way global trade functions. At Orchestro.AI, his vision for an open, AI-driven logistics network is reshaping how businesses connect, exchange data, and optimise global operations — creating smarter, more sustainable supply chains worldwide.

Among this year’s standout winners was Reena Popat, Founder and Managing Partner of Carter Bond Solicitors, who was honoured as Business Woman of the Year. With over 15 years of corporate commercial experience, Reena has worked on a wide range of major UK and international M&A transactions. Since founding Carter Bond Solicitors in 2014, she has built a thriving practice rooted in quality advice, client trust, and long-term business relationships.

Her expertise spans acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and investment strategy, advising clients across sectors such as retail, technology, and pharmaceuticals. Reena’s commercial insight and entrepreneurial acumen have made her a trusted advisor to businesses and investors alike. Her previous recognitions include a shortlist in the Law Society Excellence Awards (2018) and a nomination for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the inaugural London Asian Business Awards (2017).

The International Business of the Year award went to Currencies 4 You, a leading global payment provider that simplifies international transactions for businesses and individuals. Their bespoke service combines competitive exchange rates with dedicated personal support, offering a seamless and cost-effective experience for international transfers.

Currencies 4 You’s approach centres on flexibility and transparency — offering a range of tools such as forward contracts, spot contracts, and market orders to help clients navigate currency fluctuations and secure the best rates. Their innovative use of financial technology ensures that payments are fast, secure, and tailored to client needs, with same-day settlement available for most major currencies.

The company’s dedication to service and innovation has positioned it as a trusted partner in international finance, empowering clients to manage global payments with confidence and ease.

Beyond individual awards, The Signature Awards 2025 London reaffirmed Nachural’s mission to recognise achievement and inspire collaboration across industries. Entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across the UK gathered to share ideas and celebrate collective success.

Ninder Johal DL, Founder of Nachural, reflected: “The Signature Awards 2025 London once again highlight the resilience, creativity, and excellence that drive our business community. Each winner and finalist represents the very best of British enterprise.”

As the evening drew to a close, the Signature Awards 2025 London stood not only as a night of recognition but as a powerful reminder of the ambition, innovation, and leadership shaping the UK’s economic future.

Tortilla is teaming up with the sauce shop® to bring Buffalo chicken to the menu!

Serving up delicious burritos, tortillas, rice bowls, salad bowls and more, with some of the softest, richest meat and freshest salad – it is no surprise why Tortilla is the UK’s most loved Mexican restaurant.

And for those of you who love this high-street staple, they have just unveiled an exciting new flavour-packed collaboration which is guaranteed to get your tastebuds tingling.

For a limited time only, Tortilla is joining forces with Sauce Shop® to launch the legendary Buffalo Hot Chicken.

This oven-roasted chicken addition, will be drenched in Sauce Shop®’s multi-award-winning Buffalo Hot Sauce, delivering a fiery, tangy, irresistible new menu item… and is already shaping up to be the must-try collaboration of the year.

This best-selling sauce is crafted with their signature fermented jalapeños, to establish a punchy balance of heat, tang and depth, and this mastered recipe has earned them a 3-star Great Taste Award.

Sauce Shop®, founded in a Nottingham home kitchen in 2014, was born out of frustration with bland, mass-produced sauces. Today their 50-strong team is producing hundreds of thousands of bottles each week, but their mission hasn’t changed – to make sauces with bold flavour and real ingredients that elevate every meal. Sauce Shop® products are available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose and online.

Al Porter, Sauce Shop® Marketing Director, said: “We’re thrilled to see our Buffalo Hot Sauce bringing the heat at Tortilla. It’s bold, it’s fiery, and made with fresh, punchy ingredients that perfectly complement their vibrant, flavour-packed menu. This is what great partnerships taste like.”

This introduction does not end here though. Completing the buffalo experience, two exclusive new toppings will also be joining the menu: pickled celery and avocado ranch.

These will add the perfect combination of a tangy and crunchy snap with a smooth and creamy sauce, made with lime, coriander and jalapeños – the perfect cooling richness.

Putting this trio of the Buffalo Hot Chicken, pickled celery and avocado ranch together creates the ultimate combination of spicy, tangy and indulgently creamy – a classic buffalo flavour, all in one tortilla.

Director of Food at Tortilla, James Garland, said: “We’re really excited to be teaming up with Sauce Shop® on this launch. Their Buffalo Hot has landed a 3-star Great Taste Award, and for good reason – it’s bold, fiery and seriously tasty. Pairing it with crunchy pickled celery and our smooth avocado ranch gives that classic buffalo, celery and ranch combo a Tortilla twist – big flavour, fresh ingredients and sure to be a crowd pleaser.”

As always, everything at Tortilla is made fresh to order in under 90 seconds – with ingredients prepared from scratch every single day, often twice. F rom hand-smashed guacamole made with ripe Hass avocados to grass-fed British Isle brisket used in the barbacoa, the focus remains firmly on quality, flavour and choice. Over 70% of the menu is plant-based and Vegan Friendly accredited, and every meal is fully customisable meaning the new Buffalo Hot Chicken can be enjoyed in whatever way suits your cravings or lifestyle.

The Buffalo Hot Chicken upgrade is available across Tortilla restaurants nationwide, with the exception of select university sites, travel hubs and delivery-only kitchens.

Customers can also enjoy it as part of Tortilla’s high-protein pots for £6, making it a great option for a post-gym refuel. Buffalo Hot Chicken is available for dine-in, takeaway, through Uber Eats, and via Order Ahead on the Tortilla app, with Burrito Society members receiving a free upgrade during launch week when ordering through the app.

Whether it’s a juicy burrito, a refreshing salad, tacos or a high-protein Protein Pot, Tortilla continues to offer fully customisable meals to suit all diets, cravings and lifestyles. Inspired by the taquerias of San Francisco, each Tortilla location delivers that same relaxed vibe with neon lights and feel-good tunes – perfect for casual meals with friends, family or colleagues.

Tortilla is proud to use 100% renewable electricity and source only the best ingredients, including grass-fed British Isle brisket for their barbacoa. With over 80 UK locations, 27 in France and 10 franchise sites in the Middle East, they remain Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican brand and the UK’s most loved.

So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy!

For more information, click here.

Amalfi Ristorante Brings the Stylish Italian Riviera to the City with the Grand Opening of its new St Paul’s flagship

Amalfi Ristorante has announced the grand opening of their new restaurant in the heart of the City of London.

The highly anticipated opening in the new St Paul’s venue is bring the romance of the Italian coastline to one of it’s most glamorous addresses yet – steps away from the magnificent dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.

From the moment guests step into this flagship restaurant, they will be transported to the sun-drenched sophistication of the Amalfi Coast.

Designed with exquisite marble mosaic floors, deep banquette seating and a sweeping bar, stocked with premium wines and rare spirits, the restaurant embodies Italian elegance with a distinctly cosmopolitan London edge.

The restaurant has been crafted as a versatile sanctuary for everything from breakfasts and long client lunches to romantic evenings and celebratory – with the capacity to accommodate up to 170 guests, with a private dining room for more intimate gatherings.

The space has views of the Sir Christopher Wren’s 17^th century St Paul’s Cathedral masterpiece and is accompanied by a menu that embodies a love letter to the food of Italy’s coast. Created with the finest signature produce and Amalfi’s signature flair, it has the whole package – making every occasion feel like a moment worth remembering.

Guests are invited to indulge in the elegance of fresh oysters or to sample the house signature lobster pasta – a dish of rich indulgence that already defines the Amalfi dining experience.

From handmade pasta, stone-baked sourdough pizzas and refined seafood and steak plates, the kitchen blends authenticity with contemporary finesse to execute the perfect menu – with each dish being a celebration of conviviality, luxury and the sensory pleasure of dining.

Amalfi St Paul’s has curated a wine list of rare depth, showcasing vintages from Italy’s finest vineyards and celebrated producers across the world. The cocktail programme captures the spirit of the Italian aperitivo with spritzes and Campari-led signatures that balance sophistication with a sense of dolce vita playfulness.

Amalfi has also partnered with Della Vite Prosecco – the luxury sparkling wine brand founded by Cara, Poppy and Chloe Delevingne – a collaboration which will deliver a bubbly welcome for guests at the restaurant’s exclusive launch party on the 14^th October.

Here, VIPs will raise a glass of Della Vite to the sounds of a live DJ and enjoy the little bit of Italy that has been brought to the bustling capital city.

From opening night onwards, diners booking through the Amalfi website will be able to enjoy a complimentary glass of Della Vite, ensuring every visit begins in style.

An Amalfi Ristorante spokesperson said: “St Paul’s is one of London’s most iconic and historic locations, and we wanted to create a restaurant worthy of its surroundings. Amalfi St Paul’s captures the glamour of the Italian Riviera while celebrating the spirit of the City. From the marble floors to the lobster pasta and the first sip of Della Vite Prosecco, every detail has been designed to make dining here feel like a special occasion.”

Amalfi St Paul’s marks not just the arrival of a new restaurant, but the unveiling of a new landmark in London’s luxury dining landscape a place where the glamour of the Italian Riviera meets the cultural grandeur of the City. With its extraordinary location, elegant design, star-studded partnerships and unforgettable food, Amalfi St Paul’s is set to redefine Italian dining in the capital.

The rise in fake review scams are costing UK businesses millions: here’s what to do

If a review on something you were considering buying suggested that it was a terrible, low-quality product – would it stop you from buying it?

At one time or another, I think we can all admit that we have fallen victim to being so close to purchasing something that we want, before completely changing our minds after seeing a single, negative comment.

UK shoppers are now increasingly turning to online reviews to base their purchasing patterns on, trusting information from those they have never met before, over that of retailers, magazines, and sometimes even family and friends.

The Government have found that reviews influence an estimated £23 billion of UK consumer spending annually – making them one of the most powerful trust signals online – so with the recent rise of fake and spam reviews being published, it is no mystery why small businesses across the UK are struggling.

After conducting their survey in 2023, the Government further published that fake reviews on products alone can cause an estimated £50 million to £312 million in total annual harm to UK consumers, with up to 30-35% of online reviews possibly being fake across major platforms, and this is taking its toll on SEOs.

The London-based SEO agency, Ignite SEO, was recently targeted by this behaviour, and know first-hand what the impact of fake reviews can be. Adam Collins, CEO of Ignite SEO has commented: “We woke up to a string of one-star reviews posted in the middle of the night. A few hours later I even had a spammer messaging me directly on WhatsApp. It’s a coordinated attempt to shake trust and it shows just how far these scams go,

“For small businesses, even a handful of fake reviews can damage rankings, scare off new clients, and create real financial loss.”

There are ways to spot fake and spam reviews online, where spikes in activity or generic language can be a big giveaway. If you see several negative comments being uploaded in quick successions to one another, with very vague and undetailed complaints – you can commonly assume that this is not real.

Additionally, if an account uploading them has no history or negative activity alone, and the timings that they are posting are suspicious (such as in bulk, overnight), these are all clear signs.

To combat these occurrences, business can take different measures themselves, to fight against the fake reviews made. Firstly, it is important to always remain calm and respond professionally in these situations – reporting and flagging the comments on Google, Trustpilot and other platforms that have formal removal processes.

Keep evidence of this as well – screenshotting comments can be very useful in removal requests and legal escalation. It is also smart to collect genuine feedback from valued customers and encourage those who are satisfied with your services to leave reviews regularly.

Finally, it is important to know the law around these scams.

The Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer Act (DMCC Act) was passed into law in 2024, to add extra protection to consumer regulation. Through banning the practice of submitting fake reviews and legally prohibiting companies from commissioning or hosting fake reviews, the CMA now has enforcement powers which are reducing the risk.

To conclude, Adam Collins, said: “Fake reviews aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re an attack on your shop window. If someone vandalised your storefront, you’d clean it up quickly. Online reputations deserve the same care. The good news is the law is catching up, but SMEs need to stay alert and proactive.”

What if I’m the victim – as a consumer?

It is important to know that this can go the other way also – where companies fake reviews themselves to boost sales. It is very easy for people in positions of power to buy and sell fake reviews as a way of drowning out negative feedback, and prey on buyers to purchase something which is not what they think it is!

This is illegal. If you suspect someone of doing this – and are victim of falling for a fake review scam – you can report it to the platform where you found them. Whether a product turns up not as you were expecting it, broken/faulty or overall wrong, this is a scam – and for the sake of others and the reputation of businesses, it is critical to flag this.

You can also report them to your local Trading Standards office. If you made payment on a credit card or PayPal, you can claim this back if the product is not up to scratch, and additionally on payments made on a debit card up to £100, this can usually be claimed back via ‘chargeback’.

If you fall victim to these lingering scams, do not panic – there should be a chance to get your money back!

Southside Shopping Centre Appoints New Centre Director

Shannon Reed has been appointed as the new Centre Director of Southside Shopping Centre.

Bringing a wealth of experience in the retail landscape, Shannon previously lead operations for brands and franchise partners across Australia, Ireland, Kuwait, Oman, and in the UK.

Stepping into her new role, Shannon is passionate about continuing to transform Southside into a vibrant, community-focussed destination, and wants to ensure that the Wandsworth-based shopping centre will operate with the community at its core.

The role will blend strategic leadership, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement to drive the centre’s commercial and cultural success, and Shannon has commented: “Southside is brimming with potential, and we’re embarking on an exciting new chapter. Our recent enhancements, including new customer entrances, branding, and lighting that pays tribute to the site’s greyhound racing heritage, have made huge differences to the shopping experience for guests.

“We’re committed to continuing to invest in the centre and are delighted to be updating our retail mix to bring sought after brands to the heart of Wandsworth, which will keep our guests returning, time and again. We look forward to sharing more details around the centre’s plans in due course.”

This appointment follows the recent completion of a multi-million-pound refresh which has made significant enhancements to both the interior and exterior of the centre. The works will combine modern aesthetics with community heritage, and will include a remodelling of each of the centre’s entrances as well as the installation of integrated seating and improved lighting inside the centre.

Vape spiking crackdown launched with new police detection kits

Police have launched a crackdown on vape spiking in London, using new detection kits in bars, clubs, schools and even on the River Thames.

The Metropolitan Police said the move comes after a case in south-east London where children as young as 14 were taken to hospital after cannabis products were placed in their vapes.

The new technology allows rapid testing of devices suspected to contain drugs such as THC or spice. Officers say it is already being used at festivals, concerts and nightclubs, and has now been rolled out more widely.

Vapes are often shared among young people or distributed in social settings, raising fears that tampered devices are being used to target victims. Police say this makes detection vital.

Alongside the vape kits, officers are also using near infra-red detectors which can identify powders and tablets. The equipment links to a mobile phone app to give quick results.

The crackdown has extended onto the river. The Marine Support Unit led a patrol at Westminster Pier alongside Home Office minister Jess Phillips, targeting party boats popular with students during Freshers Week.

Police carried out safety checks, engaged with party-goers and deployed the new vape-spiking equipment.

The Met recorded more than 2,000 allegations of spiking between March 2024 and March 2025. But officers believe the true scale is higher, with many incidents going unreported.

The crime disproportionately affects women and girls. In August 2025, 66% of victims were female. Many reports were linked to Westminster and the West End, where nightlife is busiest.

The operation formed part of Spiking Intensification Week, a national initiative supported by the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell said: “Spiking is an abhorrent crime that we are tackling head on, whether it takes place in a nightclub, a private venue, or on the Thames. The ongoing trial of new vape-spiking detection kits is just one example of how we are innovating to get ahead of offenders and better protect the public.”

He urged victims to come forward, adding: “Being spiked is never your fault, it’s always the fault of the perpetrator. The sooner we know, the more we can do to support you, collect evidence and stop dangerous offenders from targeting others.”

Mr Russell also highlighted a “shocking” case where children were hospitalised, saying schools had asked the Met to test confiscated vapes.

The issue has also been identified by academics. A University of Bath study in 2024 found one in six vapes seized from schools contained spice, a synthetic drug linked to serious health risks including cardiac arrest.

Researchers said teenagers often believed they were buying nicotine or cannabis products when in fact the vapes had been laced with other substances.

Jess Phillips, the Home Office minister, said the government was determined to tackle spiking in all its forms.

She said: “As students across the country enjoy Freshers Week, we are funding a national Spiking Intensification Week to raise awareness, support police forces to use innovative tactics, and encourage victims to report this crime. We are also working with bars, pubs and clubs to roll out specialist training for staff and introducing a new criminal offence for spiking to bring more perpetrators to justice.”

Former Love Island contestant Sharon Gaffka joined the operation, describing her own experience of drink spiking five years ago. She said she welcomed the new technology, warning that spiking methods were evolving quickly from drinks to needles and now vapes.

“If we’re not doing anything, it’s going to keep moving faster to the point where we can’t keep up with it,” she said.

The crackdown, police say, is aimed not only at identifying offenders but also reassuring the public that measures are being taken to make nightlife safer.

UK Small Business Saturday ‘Roadshow’ to champion impact of local small businesses

On a tour to celebrate the nation’s vibrant small business community, Small Business Saturday has announced that they are returning to embark on a month-long UK roadshow.

Launching this autumn in Scotland, ‘The Tour’ will be visiting over 20 towns and cities across the country to spotlight some of the UK’s most inspiring local businesses. The nationwide journey will then continue across the rest of the UK throughout November, visiting towns and cities including Belfast, Manchester, Durham, Preston, Carlisle, Derby, Grimsby, Wrexham, Hereford, Newport, Plymouth, Salisbury, Cambridge, and London.

The road show is being backed by BT and aims to recognise the vital role of small businesses in boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting communities. In the lead up to starting off in Lossiemouth, ‘The Tour’ will showcase business owners, their stories, and the incredible local communities at the heart of the UK’s 5.45 million small businesses, celebrating their critical contribution to the economy.

Planned stops include visiting a range of small businesses, from a cycling adventure firm in Scotland and luxury handmade chocolatier in the North of England, to bakeries in Wales, and a shoe repair business in the South.

“Being part of the Small Business Saturday Tour 2024 was such a fabulous experience! We loved welcoming the team, giving our brand more exposure and meeting so many other inspiring small businesses along the way,” said Carol Jackson, Owner of ELJ Drinks Ltd.

“The Tour is a fabulous celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in Small Business Saturday and we can’t wait to be part of the magic again in 2025! If the tour is heading your way, don’t miss it. Get involved, show up, and soak up the support, energy and wider community. You’ll love it!”

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support businesses in their communities.

Now in its thirteenth year, Small Business Saturday has engaged millions of shoppers and helped generate billions of pounds in spending at small businesses across the UK. This year it is taking place on 6^th December, and is backed by principal support: American Express.

Alongside the show, the campaign will also feature a full month of free online support for small businesses all over the UK – including daily workshops, mentoring sessions, and insight events featuring small business owners and industry experts.

“Small Business Saturday is all about championing the incredible entrepreneurs who bring passion, innovation, and heart to communities across the UK,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK.

“The Tour gives us the opportunity to hit the road and engage directly with the nation’s favourite small businesses, celebrating their unique stories and the essential role they play in strengthening local economies. We’re excited to begin this next chapter and highlight the creativity and resilience that make small businesses the foundation of our communities.”

It is expected that ‘The Tour’ will cover around 3,000 miles using electric vehicles to reduce emissions and showcase the sustainable choices that many businesses are making on the journey toward net zero.

“Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, and providing entrepreneurs with the right support is crucial to their success,” said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT.

“The Tour offers a great platform to engage with small businesses across the country, delivering tailored advice and resources to help them grow and adapt. This is an important initiative that allows businesses to connect for good, strengthening local communities and fostering innovation and resilience across the economy.”

The Small Business Saturday tour will visit the following UK locations:

Monday 3rd November Lossiemouth
Tuesday 4th November Aberdeenshire
Wednesday 5th November Edinburgh
Thursday 6th November Belfast
Friday 7th November Preston
Monday 10th November Carlisle
Tuesday 11th November Durham
Wednesday 12th November Manchester
Thursday 13th November Grimsby
Friday 14th November Derby
Monday 17th November Wrexham
Tuesday 18th November Hereford
Wednesday 19th November Newport
Thursday 20th November Crediton
Friday 21st November Plymouth
Monday 24th November Salisbury
Tuesday 25th November Brighton
Wednesday 26th November Maidstone
Thursday 27th November Leighton Buzzard
Friday 28th November Cambridge
Monday 1st December London
Tuesday 2nd December London
Wednesday 3rd December London

For more information on Small Business Saturday and to get involved in The Tour, click here.

Spotlight on a finalist for the BBBAwards in the Consumer and Luxury Category: Nathaniel Wade

The Co-Founder of the UK’s leading platform that champions artisans of African and Caribbean heritage, Wakuda, has been named a finalist of the Consumer and Luxury Rising Star BBBAward.

With a background in engineering, property, and e-commerce, Nathaniel Wade is driven to empower underrepresented communities by creating conscious commercial impact and consumer movement – which Wakuda is missioned to achieve.

Wakuda is an online marketplace that spotlights Black-owned businesses, to connect underrepresented creatives with wider retail audiences, driving diversity and inclusion both online and in physical spaces.

Since co-finding the business in 2020, Nathaniel has played a pivotal role in building this award-winning, purpose-driven marketplace and has already supported over 500 Black-owned businesses, generating more than £250,000 in seller revenue.

Wakuda was born after recognising the lack of representation in mainstream retail, and understanding the need for a platform that connects consumers with culturally rich, high-quality products. Under Nathaniel’s leadership it has evolved into a thriving brand.

Nathaniel takes on multiple responsibilities within the company and is dedicated to building more opportunities for artisans to thrive, and for consumers to discover unique products that reflect and celebrate culture. Primarily, he leads on operations – working closely with sellers to provide hands-on support and ensure their products are well represented both online and at in-person events.

These ‘in-person events’ include running curated pop-ups in major UK shopping centres (such as Lewisham Shopping Centre and Southside Wandsworth) to build a loyal community of shoppers and entrepreneurs.

This is exactly what sets Wakuda apart – it’s unique ability to lead with culture and community, while serving a wide and inclusive customer base. Reflecting Nathaniel’s vision, the platform centres Black heritage, and is built for anyone who appreciates original, high-quality products with meaningful stories behind them.

Wakuda has received notable recognition already – including the Digital Star Award from Small Business Britain, and has secured several business grants – and Nathaniel has now been recognised as a finalist for this BBBAward, through his work in supporting over 500 Black-owned businesses gain national exposure, and connecting them with diverse audiences.

After speaking with him, Nathaniel told the Thames Gazette all about Wakuda, his hopes for the future, and what this award means to him, and it is evident that this is not just a brand but a passion.

He explains that Wakuda is a tool is displaying that diversity and culture are not a “niche” or gimmick, but instead belong in the centre of retail, where underrepresented founders should be included in high-footfall spaces, where consumers can purchase with meaning and impact.

“If we can normalise representation in everyday shopping, we’ve made a real shift.”

After leading impactful campaigns – most notably with Idris Elba – and building strategic partnerships with major organisations such as BT, Sky, Blue Light Card and Natwest, Nathaniel explained to us that collaborations strategically amplify their reach.

“Working with Idris Elba and major companies like Sky and BT shows the scale of what’s possible when big business backs diversity. More importantly, these partnerships create direct opportunities for our community of sellers – whether that’s increased visibility, access to new audiences or resources to grow their businesses.”

Now with the growing visibility of the brand being a main goal for him, winning the award would create a stage for the small businesses that they work with – showcasing their creativity, resilience, and incredible work.

He recollected a core memory during his time at Wakuda: “One of my favourite memories was walking through the shopping centre during one of our pop-ups and seeing the stalls buzzing and the genuine excitement on both customers’ and vendors’ faces. It felt like proof that we’d created a space where culture, commerce, and community all meet. One seller that stands out is a food brand that started with us online, gained confidence through our pop-ups, and is now stocked in a mainstream retailer. Watching that kind of growth – and knowing we helped make it happen – is why we do this.”

Winning this award would show that it is possible for purpose-driven businesses to thrive in this day and age, where passion can go hand-in-hand with commercial impact. Simply getting recognised for this award is a step in showing entrepreneurs that they can make it – even if the system feels closed off to them.

“This recognition isn’t about me alone. It’s about the individual business owners who make it what it is, and the community that keeps showing up. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

A huge good luck to Nathaniel!

For more information about Wakuda, click here.

For more information on the Black British Business Awards 2025, read here.

The Student Safety App is already making its mark nationwide

After its launch on the 15^thof September, the Student Safety App has already made its mark across different universities nationwide.

From attending a number of freshers’ fairs, to featuring on different TV and radio channels, to launching their very first bus campaign, the SSA team are working hard to expand the conversation around student safety and protect young people both on and off university campus.

Last week, the BBC released the results from the first sector-wide survey of sexual misconduct at universities in England, revealing that thousands of students have reported that they have been victims of sexual violence and harassment (including rape, attempted rape and unwanted touching) at university.

One victim who spoke out about her experience of harassment whilst studying, emphasised that the support she received was lacking when it came to her safety. This shows the urgent appeal of the Student Safety App.

The new app offers a discreet, practical way for young people to protect themselves and others on and around campus – with features including anonymous incident reporting (for concerns such as drink spiking, knife crime, etc), a “Track Me” and “Plan a Safe Route Home” tool, a Fake Call option to help users leave uncomfortable situations, and an SOS button that instantly shares a user’s live location with chosen contacts.

Additionally, with the app also being in line with the newly introduced OfS Condition E6 – which requires universities in England to take action to prevent and respond to harassment and sexual misconduct – it is working to effectively respond to the recent BBC findings.

This incredible initiative promises to be the subtle safety companion that students can download for free – to provide reassurance to both themselves and their parents.

Since its launch, the team have visited nine freshers’ fairs across the country to personally engage with students, exhibiting and demonstrating the app’s capabilities. For everyone who downloaded and signed up to the app, they were also given the chance to win an Amazon gift card amongst other prizes.

Feedback from these appearances showed the rewards section to be a fan-favourite amongst students – who were very excited for the discounts they could get on popular brands such as: MyProtein, Footasylum, World of Books, LG and so much more, when merely signing up to an app that is going to keep them safe.

The SSA have also featured on eleven TV and radio stations recently, with their supporters – former England, Leicester City and Liverpool footballer, Emile Heskey, and founder of the Barnaby Webber Foundation, Emma Webber – giving live interviews on the likes of GB News, LBC, Sky Sports News, Greatest Hits Radio (East Midlands) and more.

Giving an explanation of the app, what they think of it, and why they are in support of the campaign, got an incredible 9.12 million impressions, and all helped to secure over 1000 new signups to the app in such a short space of time.

The most recent SSA project to continue expanding its reach, is their new bus campaign based in Nottingham. Featuring on the ‘Double Deck Mega Rears’ on Routes 4 and 34 in Nottingham City Transport.

The Navy Line 4 (N4) bus follows a route from Nottingham City Centre to Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus, and the Orange Line 34 (including 36U and Night Buses N34 and N36) which follows a route from Nottingham City Centre to University of Nottingham University Park Campus and onwards to Chilwell.

This was made possible by a collaboration between bus advertising specialist, Outdo, and Nottingham City Transport (NCT), where local onlookers will clearly see the app’s features and a handy QR code to the Appstore, to download the app completely free.

This is all in a bid to continue the expansion of this purpose-driven initiative and keep more students safe when at university.