We’re absolutely over the moon to share that BOTL (aka One Green Bottle) is in the shortlist for the British Business Awards 2026!
BOTL is a small, women‑built, proudly B Corp business that has rooted its entire mission in ethics, sustainability, and doing the right thing. Standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with some of the biggest and most recognisable brands in the UK feels truly extraordinary.
Ethical, Sustainable, Responsible: BOTL’s Mission Recognised
This year, we’re finalists in the Socially Responsible category, going up against household names like Dishoom and Nando’s. For a small team like ours, this recognition means everything. It shows that our commitment to reducing single‑use plastic, championing sustainable materials, and building a business that prioritises people and planet really does make an impact.
Shortlisted companies also form the inaugural British Business Leaders List. A new designation celebrating organisations shaping the future of modern, responsible enterprise in the UK. To even be included in this conversation as a small ethical business is something we’re incredibly grateful for.
Sustainable Brighton Business Competes with Major Household Names
This year’s awards are bigger than ever. Featuring finalists from global icons such as Iceland, Warburtons, and Holland & Barrett, through to family businesses, scale-ups, and SMEs from across the country. Over 400 companies entered, with finalists independently assessed across business performance, innovation, culture, customer impact, and contribution to society.
BOTL is amongst those who achieved the highest combined performance across these metrics, securing our place on the shortlist. The strongest performers now go forward to the independent judging panel, comprising 18 key figures from British industry, chaired by the former CEO of Unilever Alan Jope CBE and Emma Crystal, CEO of Coutts Bank.
We are joining the celebrations on 30th April 2026! The award ceremony is at Edinburgh International Conference Centre, with special guest George Clooney, keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof, and hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith. The event supports Social Bite, helping raise vital funds to tackle homelessness across the UK.
Rick Haythornthwaite, NatWest Group Chair, says: “As Britain’s biggest bank for business, we are proud to once again sponsor the British Business Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses across all sectors and every part of the UK. Businesses like these are central to our economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting communities. We look forward to celebrating the ambition, creativity and excellence that is at the heart of so many great British businesses in Edinburgh next month, whilst also taking the opportunity to support Social Bite and its vital work tackling homelessness.”
A Message From Heather Nicholson, Founder of BOTL
I started this business nearly 20 years ago because I wanted my son to have a safe, eco‑friendly bottle. I never imagined that small beginning would lead us here, standing alongside some of the UK’s biggest brands. As a women‑built B Corp grounded in ethics and sustainability, being recognised at this level means so much and supports us on our mission of helping people make easy eco-friendly choices.
We’ve hit some incredible milestones since 2006, including our bottles featuring on Big Brother and Love Island, supplying water bottles to Team GB at the Olympics and Paralympics, and working with some iconic brands on corporate bottles including L’Oreal, Bloomberg and BSI. Most recently we’ve launched our first licensed products with The Gruffalo and Zog. Being shortlisted for the British Business Awards is definitely added to the list!
All of us here at BOTL would like to thank EDF Small Business for choosing to nominate us!
