LoveReading4Kids applied for the HSBC x Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Growth Awards, Community - and last night we won the London category.

The FSB Small Business Growth Awards are all about recognising the real engines of the UK economy - small businesses that are not only growing, but doing so with purpose. They celebrate founders and teams who are building something meaningful: creating jobs, innovating in their sectors, and making a tangible difference in their communities. It’s not just about turnover or scale, but about impact - the kind that ripples out far beyond the business itself.

What makes these awards stand out is the focus on people and place. Each region highlights the businesses shaping their local communities, before winners go on to represent their area at a national level. From sustainability pioneers to community champions, the awards bring together a diverse mix of entrepreneurs who are all united by one thing: a belief that business can be a force for good.

These awards shine a spotlight on businesses driving innovation, growth and impact across London and the wider UK.

There were connections. Tears. Hugs. And a room full of some of the most inspiring business owners I’ve ever met, all gathered at 34 Mayfair.

This one means a lot. Because reading changed my life. And that belief is the foundation of LoveReading and LoveReading4Kids - that reading matters, and books change lives.

But the reality today is tough. Reading for pleasure is at a 20-year low. Schools are under huge financial pressure. And access to books isn’t something every child can take for granted.

So we asked a simple question:

What if buying a book could do more than just deliver a story? That question shaped everything.

We’ve built the digital rails that enable communities to rally behind schools - turning everyday book buying into meaningful impact. Together, we’ve already delivered over £120,000 worth of books into UK classrooms.

But this award isn’t just about business growth. It’s about the growth of a community. A community of schools, families, partners and readers - all coming together around something that truly matters.

We are a small team. A tiny team, in fact. With a very big heart. I couldn’t be prouder of them - their passion, creativity, and unwavering belief in what we’re building is what makes all of this possible.

Thank you to them. To the schools who trust us. To our partners who support us. To every single person who has bought a book from us, shared a recommendation, or helped spread the word.

And thank you to the judges for recognising that community isn’t just something you serve - it’s something you build. Next step: the London Final.

We’re just getting started. We want to support thousands more schools, reach millions more children, and keep reading for pleasure alive in this country. Because when a child finds the right book at the right time - it can change everything. I’m living proof of that.

#TheSmallBusinessGrowthAwards

www.lovereading.co.uk

www.lovereading4kids.co.uk