Help to Grow graduate named finalist in UK's leading business awards

NOSY Creative Agency has been shortlisted for the Social & Sustainable Impact Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026, recognising its commitment to combining commercial success with positive social and environmental impact. 

The agency, founded by Matt Greg, was among the first Isle of Wight businesses to complete the University's Government-backed Help to Grow: Management programme in 2022. Delivered by Portsmouth Business School, the 12-week course equips small and medium-sized business leaders with the skills, knowledge and confidence to grow their organisations. 

The Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards are widely regarded as the UK's largest business awards programme, with almost 200 finalists selected across 20 categories. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 10 November. 

Since launching eight years ago, NOSY has built its business around working with organisations that create positive social impact. Over the past year the agency has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 20 per cent while maintaining a 90 per cent client retention rate. As a member of 1% for the Planet, it has donated more than £12,000 to environmental causes and involved staff in projects including seagrass restoration. 

Closer to home, the business has also launched "Rubbish Networking", bringing together hundreds of professionals for litter-picking events that combine business networking with environmental action. The company also operates a 20 per cent profit-sharing scheme for staff and pays salaries significantly above the local average. 

Matt Greg, Founder of NOSY Creative Agency, said: "From day one, we wanted to prove that a creative business can be a genuine force for good. We deliberately partner with purpose-driven clients so that our work creates a 'multiplier effect', meaning the more we help them grow, the more positive impact we scale across our society."  

Dan Lodge, Business Support Programmes Manager at the University of Portsmouth said: “It’s fantastic to see one of our Help to Grow alumni achieving national recognition for building a successful business with sustainability and social purpose at its heart. 

"NOSY's success is exactly the kind of outcome the programme is designed to support. We work with ambitious business leaders to help them develop the skills, confidence and strategic thinking needed to grow resilient, innovative organisations that make a positive contribution to their communities." 

The recognition comes just weeks after the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, visited the University of Portsmouth to see how the Help to Grow: Management programme is supporting businesses across the South East. 

During his visit, the Business Secretary met business owners and the team delivering the Small Business Charter-accredited programme, which is backed by the UK Government to help SME leaders strengthen leadership, innovation and long-term growth. 

More than 270 businesses have now completed the Help to Grow course through the University of Portsmouth. Independent evaluation by Ipsos found that 92 per cent of participants reported greater confidence in leading and managing their business, while 86 per cent said the programme had improved their understanding of innovation. 

Speaking during his visit, Peter Kyle MP said: "The UK is a thriving hub of innovation and R&D, and when our world-class education system and industry combine it can really boost economic growth across our regions and communities. 

"The University of Portsmouth's work shows how this government is working to boost this exciting collaboration, creating new opportunities for SMEs across the country." 

The finalists for the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards will gather in London in November, where winners will be announced before an audience of more than 1,200 business leaders.