Aviramp shortlisted for major award

Graham Corfield, Aviramp CEO

Global aviation specialist Aviramp has been shortlisted for a major honour in one of the country’s most prestigious award schemes.

The Telford-based manufacturer of step-free boarding ramps is one of eight companies vying for the Business Innovation of the Year title at the British Business Awards.

The NatWest-sponsored awards will this year feature an appearance by Hollywood star George Clooney as well as Sir Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon and culminate in the biggest business dinner of the year for 2,000 guests.

Aviramp chief executive Graham Corfield said the nomination was a huge honour for the Telford-based company.

“We have enjoyed significant growth since the end of the Covid pandemic and to be in the running for such an illustrious award as this – against some first-rate companies – is the icing on the cake.

“As we told the judges, our sales are up 68 per cent in the past three years and our export performance has increased more than tenfold since 2021. We’ve more than doubled our headcount since 2022 and there are now more than 950 of our ramps in use around the world.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the difference our ramps and newly-launched ChairLifter are making to the passenger experience all over the world, and the way they make air travel safer, smoother and more dignified for everybody.”

Graham paid tribute to the entire Aviramp workforce which was helping drive the success.

“Without the team we have built here, none of this would be possible. Being nominated for an award such as this is testament to their hard work, innovation, enthusiasm and determination to make life better for all aviation passengers.”

The awards are set to be bigger than ever with the announcement of a special guest appearance and conversation with award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney, plus the return of keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof and co-hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith.

Special guest at the awards will be actor and humanitarian George Clooney

The award ceremony takes place at Edinburgh’s EICC on 30 April and aims to raise more than £1 million for homelessness charity Social Bite.

Alan Jope CBE, chair of the judging panel, said: “The calibre of companies on the shortlist is extraordinary, and our job as judges is simply to maintain the highest standards and ensure that truly outstanding businesses emerge as the winners. From global innovators like AstraZeneca and Moderna to much-loved brands such as Nando’s, Warburtons and Iceland, this year’s cohort represents companies that are truly shaping Britain’s economic future.”

Rick Haythornthwaite, NatWest Group chair, said: “As Britain’s biggest bank for business, we are proud to once again sponsor the British Business Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses across all sectors and every part of the UK.

“We look forward to celebrating the ambition, creativity and excellence that is at the heart of so many great British businesses in Edinburgh next month, whilst also taking the opportunity to support Social Bite and its vital work tackling homelessness.”

Aviramp is a current holder of the Queen’s Award for International Trade, was last year listed in both the Sunday Times 100 and the Manufacturer Top 100 lists and won two separate awards in the Shropshire Business Awards in 2025.

Aviramp boarding ramps and bridges are used when an aircraft is parked on a remote stand and offer a safe, dignified alternative to stairs and separate ambulifts for wheelchair users and those passengers with reduced mobility.

The company’s newly-launched ChairLifter is a pioneering solar-powered lift for Electric Mobility Aids such as mobility scooter and wheelchairs and will help dramatically cut the number being damaged in flight.