A wellbeing company founded by a Blackburn entrepreneur is celebrating after being recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 SMEs. 

Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, founded Lee Chambers has been ranked 65th overall in the Elite Business 100 (EB100).

Mr Chambers and his team will celebrate the achievement at the awards evening on March 17 in London and will be included in the EB100 digital guide and online directory with a viewership of more than half a million people, alongside the likes of Cotswold Fayre, The Skinny Food Co and Powersheds.

Mr Chambers said: “It’s been a great start to 2023 and featuring in the Elite Business 100 is a real achievement given our size and still being a startup.

“The fact we are on both this list and the Startups 100 is something only a handful of companies have managed to achieve, and we have recognition from some of Britain’s best business minds that we are on the right track.

“We are proud to represent the best of Lancashire on the national stage and will continue to punch above our weight.”

The EB100 are the businesses to watch for the future. It recognises excellence in the SME community and ranks them across a broad range of criteria, from their longevity in the marketplace, year-on-year growth to how they embrace innovation and contribute to the community.

The SME industry contributes more than £2 trillion in turnover to the UK economy, employing 44 per cent of the British workforce.

The last 12 months have been challenging, with many SMEs navigating a landscape of hardship.

SMEs like Essentialise have demonstrated remarkable resilience to survive and thrive thanks to their robust infrastructure and proven business models.

Piers Linney, former investor on BBC's Dragon's Den and founder of small business service provider, Moblox, said: “The EB100 has shown that despite the everchanging economic climate, they haven't allowed it to hinder the overall performance of their businesses, and many have, in fact, thrived.”

Scott English, brand director of Elite Business said: “Mr Chambers and Essentialise are change-makers in the British business industry and deserve their place in the Elite Business 100.

“This definitive league table exemplifies the very best of SMEs in the UK”.

Despite being early in its journey, it was highly competitive, with judges commenting on the high standard of entries, impressive sales and growth figures and high-performing cultures.

The team at Essentialise are now hoping to continue their golden streak, as they have been shortlisted at the Red Rose Awards, the FSB Small Business Awards, and Mr Chambers himself is up for two categories at the Northern Leadership Awards.