Ross Bliben, Sales Director of Bathroom Spare Parts, has been named a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2026 in the Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year category for the East of England region.
The Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year award celebrates founders and leaders who are successfully growing family-run businesses while creating a lasting legacy for future generations. Ross has been shortlisted in recognition of his role in evolving Bathroom Spare Parts into the UK’s leading supplier of bathroom components and replacement parts, combining the values and expertise passed down through his family with an ambitious vision for future growth.
Having joined the family business in 2011, Ross has helped drive significant growth by combining deep industry knowledge with a forward-thinking commercial approach. Building on a family legacy that spans generations, with both his father and grandfather working as plumbers, Ross continues to lead the company’s expansion with an ambition to scale the business to £50 million.
Speaking on the finalist recognition, Ross said:
“I am incredibly proud to be a finalist in the Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire Bathroom Spare Parts team, as well as the strong foundations built by previous generations of my family.
As a family business, we’ve always been passionate about delivering exceptional service and expertise to our customers. To be recognised alongside so many inspiring entrepreneurs is a real honour, and we’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow.”
Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, also said:
“When we launched the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2012, we set out to back the businesses that get on and build, the ones that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. More than a decade on, over 5,000 applications tell me we were onto something. This year’s cohort represents billions in turnover and tens of thousands of jobs, but what I’m proudest of is the determination behind those numbers. These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year, and championing them is exactly why we do this.”
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are proudly supported by Allica Bank.
Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica, added:
“What stands out this year is the optimism and ambition that continue to define the UK’s established business community. Having run my own business, I know the resilience, creativity and sheer determination it takes to build something that lasts, especially in challenging times.
“Established businesses are the real economy, making up a third of the UK’s GDP and employment, and represented in every town across the country. At Allica, we’re proud to support and celebrate their contribution through the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.”
Often referred to as the ‘Grammys of Entrepreneurship’, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the UK’s most exceptional entrepreneurs and business leaders. Winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on Monday 16 November 2026 at The Great Room, Grosvenor House, London, attended by more than 1,500 guests from across the UK’s entrepreneurial community.
The full 2026 shortlist can be found here:
