Business Book Awards 2025
Business Book Awards 2025: Eight Years of Celebrating Wisdom, Words and the Power of Ideas
As Founding Partner of the Awards and the Founder and CEO of Thinkfest Ltd, which owns and manages the event, I’ve had the privilege of watching it grow from an ambitious idea into one of the UK’s most respected celebrations of business writing and leadership. From day one, our purpose has been clear: to recognise the courage and creativity of those who choose to share their ideas with the world. What began as a small gathering has become a national institution attracting international attention. This year’s ceremony saw over 300 entries, 114 books shortlisted, and 140 finalist authors gather to celebrate a shared belief – that words, when written with purpose, can change business for good.
The Overall Winner: Hyper Efficient by Mithu Storoni
The Overall Winner of the Business Book Awards 2025 was Hyper Efficient: Optimise Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work by Mithu Storoni – a work that perfectly captures the mindset of modern business leadership. In an age of information overload, Storoni’s book provides a science-led, deeply human guide to improving focus, balance and performance. It reminds us that true productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about thinking better. The judges praised Hyper Efficient as “a masterpiece of clarity and relevance, uniting neuroscience with practical leadership wisdom.” It is a book for everyone striving to perform at their best without losing sight of wellbeing – a message that could not be timelier.
The credibility of the Business Book Awards lies in the calibre of its judges – a distinguished panel of entrepreneurs, authors and publishing experts who bring fairness and insight to every decision. Among them this year were Martin Norbury, Penny Power OBE, and Nigel Risner – each a respected figure whose career has shaped how we think about leadership, learning and success. Their contribution ensures that the Awards recognise books not only for literary merit, but for the difference they make in the real world.
Judges Who Shape the Standard
Behind every award are the people who make it credible. This year’s Awards were guided by an extraordinary panel of 44 judges, representing publishing, entrepreneurship, media, and leadership. Their expertise, fairness, and insight ensure that every book is evaluated for its relevance, originality, and real-world contribution.
- Jacq Burns, Founder of London Writers’ Club, brings decades of experience helping authors turn ideas into publishable works. Her editorial eye and mentoring acumen add rigour to how we assess storytelling and structure.
- Hasan Kubba, Director of Success Decoded and co-author of previous winner of the Business Book Awards: The Unfair Advantage, Hasan offers a start-up and innovation lens, reminding us that business writing must be as entrepreneurial as the ventures it inspires.
- Minter Dial, Director of Mydial and international speaker on leadership and branding, contributes deep global insight into the intersection of culture, purpose, and personal leadership.
- Nadine Dereza, Media Director at Babaco Media, adds her sharp understanding of communication and clarity – helping ensure the Awards celebrate authors who can articulate ideas that resonate beyond the boardroom.
- David B. Horne, Founder & CEO of Add Then Multiply, brings financial and growth-strategy expertise, evaluating works that help businesses scale responsibly and sustainably.
Together, the 44 strong distinguished judging team elevates the Awards from an event to an institution – a trusted benchmark for business thought leadership in the UK and beyond.
As I said during my speech that evening: “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” It always draws a laugh, yet it captures a truth at the heart of every great business book. Knowledge gives us information.
Wisdom gives us judgement.
The best business books go beyond information transfer – they spark reflection and provoke meaningful action. They teach us not only what to think, but how to think.
Eight Years of Growth and Connection
Through our events business – Thinkfest Ltd, we’ve built more than an event – we’ve built a community. Over eight years, the Business Book Awards have become a home for conversation, collaboration and lifelong learning. What began as a celebration of authors has grown into a movement of readers, leaders and change-makers. Each year we see new voices emerging, new stories being told and new perspectives challenging old assumptions. That continual renewal is what keeps the Awards relevant and alive.
The futurist Alvin Toffler once wrote: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Every author recognised this year lives by that principle. Through their writing, they are helping businesses, teams and individuals adapt to a world where the only constant is change. Relevance today is not a destination – it’s a discipline.
Business Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities
As the Awards continue to grow, we invite organisations and brands to join us as sponsors and partners. Sponsorship is more than exposure; it’s alignment with purpose – a public statement that your organisation values leadership, learning and legacy.
Benefits include:
- Brand Association with Thought Leadership: Your logo alongside Britain’s top business authors and influencers.
- Content and PR Amplification: Appear across event coverage, media features and social campaigns.
- Values Alignment: Demonstrate a visible commitment to culture, education and enterprise.
- Long-Term Impact: Partner with an award now in its eighth year – an established legacy of credibility and influence.
Final Reflections: The Future of Thought Leadership
The 2025 Awards were more than a ceremony – they were a statement about the power of words to change the way we work, think and live. In a world that often confuses information with insight, thought leadership matters more than ever. It is not about self-promotion; it is about contribution. It’s about turning experience into something useful for others – a story, a model, a method, a mindset. When I look at the 300-plus submissions this year – spanning every corner of business life – I see a clear message: there has never been a shortage of good ideas, only of platforms to amplify them. The Business Book Awards exist to do just that.
Eight years on, our purpose remains unchanged: To recognise wisdom, reward courage, and remind the business world that learning is not a phase – it’s a lifelong practice. So to every author who entered, every judge who read, every guest who travelled through the Big Ben Challenge to be with us, and every sponsor who supported the cause – thank you. You are part of something that matters. You are part of a legacy that continues to grow.
Thank you
Safaraz Ali
Founding Partner of the Business Book Awards
