2018 Evening Standard Business Awards: the shortlisted stars revealed

If you want to take the pulse of business in the capital, Guildhall in the City of London on June 27 will be the place to be. The Evening Standard’s third annual Business Awards promises to be a glittering occasion as businesses gather to find out who has scooped a coveted gong.

London’s businesses have had a lot to contend with over the past 12 months, from ongoing negotiations over Brexit to an interest-rate rise and squeezed consumer spending. Some companies have seen their stock-market valuations plunge and some well-known High Street brands have sadly shut up shop.

But the most entrepreneurial businesses, those able to adapt to the new expectations of customers and investors, have thrived.

Whittling down our fantastic longlist of companies and business leaders was challenging. Producing our shortlist of nominees, revealed today, entailed ferocious debate and compromises among our usually sceptical business team.

Everyone who made it to the long list, published last month, is doing something special. But to make it to the shortlist it was necessary to demonstrate activity, innovation and commitment out of the ordinary.

Congratulations to everyone who has made it this far. From next week until the awards we will give a weekly focus on each category and in-depth analysis of the businesses which have made the shortlist.

The Evening Standard Business Awards, in association with Esme, will be held at Guildhall on June 27