A local journalist of three decades is flying the flag for home-based businesses after celebrating being named a winner in this year's Small Business Awards UK.

Amanda Chalmers was listed eighth from hundreds of small businesses across the country in the 'Best Business From Home' category at the glittering ceremony at Birmingham's Eastside Rooms on Saturday (13 December).

The news coincides with the seventh anniversary of the launch of her PR agency, Chalmers News PR, in Warwick, which already has three national awards to its name.

Amanda spent 30 years working in the regional press, culminating with a stint in the Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald editor's chair between 2014 and 2018, before launching Chalmers News PR, from her home in Warwick, specialising in affordable cross-sector PR for small businesses and start-ups as well as charities and not-for-profits.

It is the latest accolade for her agency, winning the Ladies First Excellence In Media Award in 2023 and 2025 as well as the Woman Who Awards 'Achieves In Media' category gong in 2024.

Amanda Chalmers was listed eighth from hundreds of small businesses across the country in the 'Best Business From Home' category (image supplied)

The SBA judging panel consists of highly qualified industry professionals, each with a minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in their respective categories.

The Awards celebrate and support small businesses across the UK.

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The Best Home-Based Business category was introduced to highlight the growing impact of home-based enterprises and the important role they play in today's economy.

Director of the SBAs said: "This category celebrates entrepreneurs running successful businesses from home, recognising the creativity and drive it takes to thrive outside of a traditional workplace.

"Running a business from home takes vision, dedication, and resilience. We're proud to celebrate entrepreneurs across the nation who are redefining what modern business success looks like and home-based entrepreneurs are proving that with hard work and determination, it's possible to build a thriving business from anywhere.

He added: "The UK Small Business Awards celebrate the passion, innovation, and resilience of entrepreneurs across the country. Whether you're a startup or an established business, this is your chance to gain credibility, boost visibility, and connect with industry leaders. Stand out, get noticed, and let your success story inspire others.

"We raised the bar again this year with tougher entry criteria, so making it through, let alone being among the Top 10, is a real testament to the businesses' excellence, passion, and unwavering dedication."

The Awards celebrate and support small businesses across the UK (image supplied)

SBA CEO Sophie added: "This year we had a record number of entries for The UK Small Business Awards, there were so many excellent finalists for each category and the competition was extremely close. Businesses and individuals that placed on the night demonstrated exceptional quality and commitment through their submissions."

Amanda worked on newsdesks in and around Warwickshire, including the former Nuneaton Tribune and Rugby Advertiser, and, as deputy editor at the Daventry Express and Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser series before joining the Herald.

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She said: "There are a lot of business awards out there but very few which acknowledge the hard graft and discipline that go into running a successful business from home, so this is something I feel particularly pleased to have been a part of.

"I'm so proud to be named among the UK's Top 10 businesses from home from what must have been a very strong field. Being a solopreneur can have its challenges – it can feel lonely at times without someone to bounce off and there are a lot of extra skills you have to learn and a huge number of plates to spin.

"But the challenges are far outweighed by the rewards, which feel so much more personal - especially being part of the journey of success for my clients. Their wins also feel like my wins – and that's an incredible feeling!"

Visit Chalmers News PR here.

To learn more about the UK Small Business Awards and enter for 2026 visit here.

The SBA judging panel consists of highly qualified industry professionals, each with a minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in their respective categories (image supplied)