Club Hub Awards 2026 Winners Announced

On Saturday 9 May 2026, more than 270 children’s activity providers from across the UK gathered at the prestigious Macdonald Burlington Hotel for the highly anticipated Club Hub Event 2026 and Club Hub Awards 2026.

Hosted annually by Club Hub UK, the event brought together leaders, franchise owners, class providers, nursery specialists, sports coaches, performing arts schools and family-focused businesses for a full day of networking, learning and celebration within the children’s activities industry.

Club Hub Event 2026 Supports Growth in the Children’s Activities Industry

The Club Hub Event 2026 delivered a packed programme of expert-led workshops and business development sessions tailored specifically to children’s activity providers and family-focused businesses.

Attendees gained valuable insights into:

• Marketing strategies for children’s activity businesses
• Customer retention and parent engagement
• Working successfully with nurseries and schools
• Building strong systems and processes
• Personal branding and visibility
• Scaling and future-proofing a business
• Franchise growth and leadership development

The event continues to be one of the UK’s leading business and networking events dedicated solely to the children’s activities sector.

Club Hub Awards 2026

The event concluded with the prestigious Club Hub Awards 2026 ceremony, recognising excellence, innovation and achievement across the children’s activities industry.

The Club Hub Awards are the only national awards dedicated exclusively to children’s activity providers with:

• No public voting
• Application-form-only entry
• Independent expert judging panels
• Winners selected on merit, business performance and impact

Judges assessed businesses on areas including growth, innovation, customer experience, community impact, leadership, inclusivity and passion for the sector.

A huge thank you goes to all the judges who dedicated their time and expertise to reviewing applications from an incredible range of businesses across the UK.

Tessa Day Congratulates Club Hub Award Winners 2026

Tessa Day, Founder and Director of Club Hub UK, said:

“Huge congratulations to all our Club Hub Award Winners this year. It was fantastic to celebrate your achievements and see so many inspiring businesses

Attraction or Venue of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Your Video Team Ltd

Your Video Team empowers businesses with exceptional video content that captivates audiences and helps brands tell their story through powerful visual communication.

For a business in the children’s activities industry who has their own venue. This can include baby class leaders and gymnastics teachers who have their own premises, but also attractions, zoos and farms.

Winner: Dipti & Mitesh Pindoria – Inflata Nation Colindale

Biggest Growth of the Year Winner 2026

Designed with children’s activity providers in mind, Book That In is the online booking system that gives you powerful booking functionality at small business prices.

For a business in the children’s activities industry that has increased their number of bookings significantly or has shown they have made huge growth in their business in the past year.

Winner: Rajveer Maharaul – STEM Club UK

Community Champion of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Little Legs

Little Legs provides services supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood.

This award recognises businesses supporting their local community through events, fundraising or partnerships with schools and organisations.

Winner: Fixation Academy of Performing Arts Ltd

Entrepreneur of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Jigsaw Performing Arts

Jigsaw Performing Arts delivers high-quality singing, dance and drama classes across the UK, helping children build confidence, creativity and life skills.

For a person who has worked in the children’s activities industry for more than 3 years and shown exceptional entrepreneurial spirit.

Winner: Yousif Ahmed – Tots United®

Family Business of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Teddy Mountain

Teddy Mountain is the world’s leading make-a-bear supplier, helping activity providers create fun, interactive bear-building experiences for children.

For a business with two or more members of the same family running it.

Winner: Leonie Briggs – Amazelab

Franchise of the Year with up to 15 franchisees Winner 2026

Sponsored by Trustist

Trustist helps businesses collect and showcase their reviews in one easy place, helping customers quickly see which companies they can trust.

For a franchise with up to 15 franchisees that demonstrates a strong business model in the children’s activities sector.

Winner: Emma Gardener & Lorna Eccleston – Story Rangers Ltd

Franchise of the Year with more than 15 franchisees Winner 2026

Sponsored by SuperCamps

SuperCamps delivers exciting holiday activity camps for children across the UK, helping young people stay active, build confidence and have fun during the school holidays.

For a franchise with more than 15 franchisees demonstrating excellence across their network.

Winner: Faye Smith – Nature Makers Ltd

Franchisee of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Pink Lily Accounting

Pink Lily Accounting specialises in supporting children’s activity providers and franchise businesses with friendly, expert accounting and bookkeeping services.

For a franchisee who has built a successful business within their franchise network.

Winner: Isabel Reverter-Dominguez – Kidslingo Northampton

Inclusive Business of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Blackwells.Biz

Blackwells.Biz champions inclusion through initiatives like DanceSyndrome, founded by Jen and Sue Blackwell, which empowers people of all abilities to dream big and live happy, healthy and purposeful lives.

This award recognises businesses creating inclusive environments for children and families.

Winner: Reece Elbourn & Chris Kelly – Lets Leap Sports Academy Ltd

Independent Business of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by The Class Business Academy

Kristine Monaghan is the founder of The Class Business Awards and The Class Business Academy, supporting class-based business owners across the UK to grow profitable, sustainable businesses while celebrating excellence in the class industry.

For independent businesses in the children’s activities industry.

Winner: Reece Elbourn & Chris Kelly – Lets Leap Sports Academy Ltd

Leader of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by ThinkSmart Software

ThinkSmart Software provides powerful booking and management systems used by thousands of activity providers to manage classes, bookings and payments all in one place.

For a person managing a team in the children’s activities industry.

Winner: Anna Neville – Kidslingo

Non Profit Business of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Toddle About

Toddle About connects parents with baby and toddler activities through their website, magazines and community events across the UK.

For a charity, social enterprise or non-profit organisation supporting children’s activities.

Winner: Jo Haydon – 4 Community Trust CIC

Solo Star of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by STEAM Educators’ Staff Room

The STEAM Educators’ Staff Room is a multi-award-winning online community supporting educators and small business owners across science, technology, engineering, arts and maths to connect, collaborate and grow.

For someone running their children’s activity business completely by themselves.

Winner: Wesley Driskel – Not Just Sport

Start-Up of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by Daisy First Aid

Daisy First Aid provides practical, family-friendly paediatric first aid training, helping parents and children’s activity providers feel confident to handle emergencies.

For a business in the children’s activities industry less than 3 years old.

Winner: Elle Wilks & Kate Cooper – Fearless Girls Club CIC

Supplier of the Year Winner 2026

Sponsored by LoveAdmin

LoveAdmin is a booking and management platform built specifically for children’s activity providers, combining technology and real-world support to simplify admin and free up time.

For a business providing support or services to children’s activity providers.

Winner: Tim Freed – Book That In

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2026

Sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance

Morton Michel has supported the children’s activities sector for over 50 years, providing specialist insurance and support designed specifically for activity providers.

For a person who has worked in the children’s activities industry for more than 10 years and made a significant impact.

Winner: Aisha Walters – Benchmark Gymnastics

Why the Club Hub Awards Matter

The Club Hub Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the incredible businesses, leaders and organisations making a difference to children and families throughout the UK.

From sports academies and performing arts schools to STEM clubs, nurseries and inclusive activity providers, the awards celebrate the passion, innovation and resilience that drive the children’s activities industry forward.

To find out more about future events, awards and networking opportunities, visit Club Hub UK.