The Signature Awards London 2025 return this evening, Thursday 26 September, at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel. More than 500 leading entrepreneurs, executives and innovators are expected to gather at the black-tie ceremony.
The event has become one of the UK’s most influential showcases of business talent. It is a chance not only to celebrate success but to meet the people shaping the economy. Deals are often struck, collaborations begun, and reputations strengthened on nights like these.
For many, the awards are about far more than the trophies. They are about being in the room. They are about making the right introductions, renewing client relationships, and sharing insights with peers. Over half of attendees rebook year after year, citing the tangible business impact generated in the hall.
This year’s London edition promises to continue that tradition.
At the heart of the evening is the keynote address. It will be delivered by Surinder Arora, one of Britain’s most remarkable entrepreneurs.
Arora was born in Punjab, India, in 1958. His parents, displaced by the Partition, emigrated to Britain while he was raised by relatives. He re-joined his parents in the UK aged 13. That early upheaval shaped him. He often credits his mother’s ambition for instilling the drive that has defined his life.
His career began not in hotels but in sales. By the late 1980s he was working for Abbey Life, quickly becoming one of its top performers. In 1993 he left to set up a small bed and breakfast for airline staff near Heathrow. Within a few years, he had won a major contract with British Airways.
The rest is history. By 2004, he had secured the franchise for the Sofitel brand and invested £180m in a flagship hotel at Heathrow. Today his Arora Group operates more than 5,500 rooms, including properties under Hilton and Holiday Inn.
Despite being worth over £1bn, he has retained a reputation for loyalty and personal connection. He refers to staff as “family” and has achieved unusually low turnover rates in an industry often marked by instability.
Arora’s journey from modest beginnings to billionaire hotelier mirrors the ambition the Signature Awards exist to celebrate. His story, and his words tonight, are expected to resonate with every entrepreneur in the room.
The Signature Awards themselves are the creation of Ninder and Narinder Johal. Before their success in business publishing and events, they founded Nachural Records.
The label championed Asian dance music and found global success with Munde To Backhe. The track hit number one in nine countries, broke into the UK and US charts, and became one of the biggest-selling tracks in Japanese history. It later featured in films, Bollywood productions, and global advertising campaigns.
That instinct for creativity and for spotting cultural movements underpins everything Nachural does today. Through Business Influencer Magazine, the Johals provide a platform for thought leadership. Through their awards ceremonies, they celebrate ambition across sectors.
The result is a portfolio of sell-out events. Each one attracts over 500 people and generates millions of social media impressions.
The Birmingham edition of the awards earlier this year demonstrated the breadth of talent being recognised.
Skanska UK, one of the world’s largest development and construction firms, was named Business of the Year. With revenues of more than £13bn and projects ranging from HS2 to Mayfair developments, its scale is global. But the award also reflected its contribution to the UK economy and its commitment to sustainable practices.
Other winners included Allica Bank for financial services, Sydney Mitchell for legal excellence, Cordia UK for real estate, and CyberQ Group for innovation.
There was space too for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. Manny Athwal was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Michael Parinchy was recognised as Young Business Person of the Year. Elisabeth Lewis-Jones took the title of Business Woman of the Year.
Community and social impact also featured. Sandwell College received the award for Community Excellence, while Azets was recognised for promoting diversity and inclusion. Start-ups were celebrated, with Laser Skin taking home the prize for new business.
The full list of winners reflected the range of Britain’s business landscape — from global contractors to local innovators.
The London ceremony will follow a similar pattern. Guests will arrive on the red carpet, welcomed with an exclusive drinks reception. Live music will set the tone. A four-course menu, inspired by Indian cuisine, will accompany the evening. The glamour and entertainment are part of the experience, but the real value is in the mix of people.
More than 65% of the room will be C-suite executives, founders, or managing directors. For ambitious entrepreneurs, this is an unparalleled networking opportunity. For established leaders, it is a chance to share influence and perspective. For clients, sponsors and speakers, it is a platform to enhance reputation.
This year’s headline sponsor is Fraser Stretton, supporting what promises to be a memorable night.
What sets the Signature Awards apart is the combination of celebration and purpose. They are a showcase of ambition, but also a forum for learning and collaboration. Keynote speeches, like the one delivered tonight by Surinder Arora, provide inspiration rooted in real experience.
The awards are also an opportunity to reflect on the wider business landscape. Britain faces a post-Brexit era of uncertainty and opportunity. Growth depends on innovation, resilience, and global outlook. Bringing together the people who drive that growth is not just a social occasion but a statement of intent.
Connections made here can translate into contracts, investments, or partnerships that shape the future of industries. Testimonials from past attendees consistently underline the high level of business placed in the room.
The awards also extend influence internationally. Each event generates millions of impressions online, amplifying the profile of winners, sponsors, and speakers far beyond the walls of the venue.
As the evening unfolds in London, the spotlight will fall on businesses and individuals across multiple sectors. Some will walk away with trophies, others with new partnerships or fresh inspiration. All will leave having been part of an event that celebrates not just success but ambition itself.
From Birmingham to London, the Signature Awards have built a reputation for recognising talent, providing a stage for ideas, and celebrating the people who are shaping the future of the UK economy.
Tonight’s gathering at Hilton Park Lane is a continuation of that story. It is a chance for entrepreneurs to learn, for executives to connect, and for leaders to influence. And with Surinder Arora sharing his extraordinary journey, it is certain to be an evening that will inspire ambition long after the last champagne glass is set down.
