COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARDS UK 2026 WINNERS
Honoring Innovation, Leadership, and Strategic Excellence Across the United Kingdom.
The Excellence Awards are proud to announce the recipients of the Company of the Year Awards UK 2026, recognizing outstanding organizations that are shaping the future of business through innovation, strategic thinking, and measurable impact.
These awards celebrate companies that move beyond conventional business models and demonstrate the ability to adapt, evolve, and lead in increasingly complex and competitive markets.
The United Kingdom continues to hold a unique position as one of the world’s most influential business environments.
From finance and technology to education, healthcare, sustainability, and creative industries, organizations across the UK are navigating rapid transformation driven by digitalization, artificial intelligence, and global market shifts.
In this environment, business excellence requires more than growth alone.
It requires resilience, adaptability, responsible leadership, and the ability to make strategic decisions in uncertain and fast-moving conditions.
The Company of the Year Awards UK 2026 recognize organizations that successfully combine innovation with long-term thinking, and operational excellence with strategic clarity.
Today’s leading companies are not simply those that grow quickly — but those that remain adaptable while building sustainable and future-oriented business models.
“True business excellence emerges when innovation is combined with clarity, adaptability, and responsible leadership.” — Dr Yasemin Yazan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Excellence Awards.
Selected for their exceptional contribution, measurable impact, and commitment to excellence within the Pro Wrestling and Charity sectors. Kingdom Wrestling was nominated and selected through a merit-based evaluation process conducted by the Excellence Awards Nominations Team, taking into account innovation, leadership, ethical standards, market impact, and long-term strategic potential.
“Winning this award from the Excellence Awards is a profound honour that validates our entire mission at Kingdom Wrestling. We set out to break down barriers, using the power, storytelling, and spectacle of professional wrestling to bring communities together and share a message of hope, faith, and transformation. This recognition doesn't just belong to me; it belongs to our incredibly dedicated team, our athletes, and every single person who has supported our journey from a small seed of an idea into a unstoppable movement. It inspires us to keep pushing boundaries, changing lives, and showing that no matter where you start, redemption and purpose are always within reach.” says Gareth Thompson, CEO of Kingdom Wrestling.
About Gareth Thompson & Kingdom Wrestling
The Leader: Gareth "Angel" Thompson is the founder and CEO of Kingdom Wrestling. He is an accomplished UK professional wrestler who performs under the moniker Gareth Angel.
Award Selection Criteria: Thompson was selected for this award due to his pioneering leadership in social innovation and community healing. After personally overcoming youth trauma and homelessness, he built a platform that tackles male mental health, supports expelled pupils, and promotes positive masculinity. The judges specifically recognised his ability to scale a grassroots idea into an award winning charity that has successfully baptised dozens, created local youth training academies, and broken traditional barriers to community support.
The Mission: Thompson pioneered the "Wrestling Church" concept, transforming his faith ministry into a registered charity. The group uses live wrestling events as a dynamic storytelling medium to unpack messages of hope, resilience, and faith.
Real-World Impact: Kingdom Wrestling focuses heavily on community outreach, including youth work, addressing male mental health, and promoting positive masculinity. Their unique approach has been widely featured by major media outlets, including BBC News and Sky TV.
About the Excellence Awards
The Excellence Awards, hosted by Dr Yasemin Yazan LLC, recognise professionals and organisations across the world whose work exemplifies excellence, innovation, and impact. With a global reach and local relevance, each awards round focuses on specific regions and industries.
To learn more about the awards and view past recipients, visit: www.excellenceawards.global
