Awards

Sophie Zienkiewicz and Alasdair Lumsden, founders of Carbon Neutral Fuels, named finalists in the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Written by:

Sophie Zienkiewicz

Read time:

min

Date:

30/7/2026

Manchester, UK. Sophie Zienkiewicz and Alasdair Lumsden, founders of Carbon Neutral Fuels, have been named a finalist in the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year category.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards is as much about the entrepreneur as the business, recognising the people behind the brand and the decisions, resilience and ambition that build companies that last.

Known as the Grammys of entrepreneurship, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK, recognising entrepreneurs from every nation and region for their innovation, impact and resilience.

Past winners include the founders of Simmer Eats, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their journey. The 2026 shortlist tells a story that goes well beyond a single celebration. Taken together, the Class of 2026 represents the real engine of the British economy.
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The 2026 shortlist in numbers:
● 5,000 applications received
● 740 businesses shortlisted
● £3.3bn combined turnover
● 17,700+ jobs supported
● 2,700+ new jobs being created
● 5,200+ years of combined trading
● 40% women-led businesses
● 10 UK regions and nations represented
● 50% already selling overseas

This is why the Great British Entrepreneur Awards exists. Not to celebrate the loudest voices, but the businesses quietly powering the UK economy.

“We've put so much into building Carbon Neutral Fuels, so to be recognised alongside some of the UK's most ambitious entrepreneurs is a real thrill. Huge credit to the team and everyone who's backed us.”

Sophie Zienkiewicz

Founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels

“When we launched the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2012, we set out to back the businesses that get on and build, the ones that don't always get the recognition they deserve. More than a decade on, over 5,000 applications tell me we were onto something. This year's cohort represents billions in turnover and tens of thousands of jobs, but what I'm proudest of is the determination behind those numbers. These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year, and championing them is exactly why we do this.”

Frankie James

Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are proudly supported by Allica Bank.

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“What stands out this year is the optimism and ambition that continue to define the UK's established business community. Having run my own business, I know the resilience, creativity and sheer determination it takes to build something that lasts, especially in challenging times. Established businesses are the real economy, making up a third of the UK's GDP and employment, and represented in every town across the country. At Allica, we're proud to support and celebrate their contribution through the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.”

Conrad Ford

Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica

About the Great British Entrepreneur Awards
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Launched in 2012, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and business owners across the UK. Often described as the Grammys of entrepreneurship, the awards have a remarkable alumni community including the founders of
Simmer Eats, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch and Unbiased.

Find out more at https://greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/
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The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are part of Ideas Community, the UK entrepreneurship ecosystem behind Ideas Fest, two days of ideas, connection and big thinking for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Find out more at https://ideasfest.uk/

About Carbon Neutral Fuels
For more about Carbon Neutral Fuels, visit https://www.carbonneutralfuels.com/.

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