Business, Sport | Posted on March 17th, 2026 | return to news

Elite award for Hampshire business owner

Laceeze Defiance, run by Hampshire resident Emma Burke, triumphed at the recent Elite Business Awards, winning the Sage People’s Choice Award.

A Hampshire business has plenty of cause for celebration having won the Sage People’s Choice Award at the Elite Business Awards.

Not only that, but Laceeze and its sister brand Defiance have been ranked 40 overall in the Elite Business Top 100 for the second consecutive year.

Sports brand Laceeze Defiance is run by Emma Burke, a dedicated mother and business owner from Dorset who now lives in Hampshire, who appeared on BBC series ‘Dragon’s Den’ in 2025.

Burke said: “Everything we do is for our grassroots community, so this People’s Choice award isn’t really mine, it’s for everybody.”

Judges praised Laceeze Defiance for the strong community built around the brand, its innovative product-led solutions and the authentic grassroots spirit that sits at the heart of the business.

“Being part of the Elite Business 100 judging panel has been an incredible opportunity to witness first-hand the passion and innovation driving the UK’s SME sector. It’s inspiring seeing so many entrepreneurs turning their visions into reality,” said Simon Squibb, founder of HelpBnk.

“Laceeze Defiance is an innovator in the UK’s SME scene and has earned its well-deserved recognition from the Elite Business 100,” said Scott English, brand director of Elite Business. “This distinguished list spotlights the premier SMEs within the UK.”

This is the fourth year of the competition, with a dramatically increased number of applicants entering since its inception. Judges noted the impressive sales and growth figures, community spirit and engagement, and overall high standard of entries this year.

See Emma Burke’s interview on the Your Voice | Dorset Podcast to learn more about her experience on ‘Dragon’s Den’.