Scottish fintech GiftRound, named one of ‘Nation’s Favourite Businesses’ for 2026

With over 1.2 million people helped and more than £12 million contributed across 172,088 group collections since inception, GiftRound is recognised nationally as one of 100 small businesses celebrated ahead of Small Business Saturday

A Scottish business that helps people collect money for group gifts, completely free of fees has been named one of the ‘Nation’s Favourite Businesses’ for 2026 by Small Business Saturday UK.

GiftRound, based in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, Scotland, with team members based across Scotland and Cornwall, has been selected as part of the national campaign, which celebrates and champions small businesses across the UK, ahead of Small Business Saturday on 5 December.

Founded by Craig Forsythe in 2018, GiftRound makes it easy for groups to organise collections for gifts and special occasions, from leaving gifts and birthdays to teacher gifts, new babies, weddings, retirements and simply showing someone you care.

The national recognition comes as Small Business Saturday launches its 2026 campaign to showcase the ‘Nation’s Favourite Businesses’. This is a new format replacing the long-running SmallBiz100.

The businesses selected this year range from independent food and hospitality to makers, service businesses and innovative companies, reflecting the diversity of the UK’s small business community.

Craig Forsythe, Founder and CEO of GiftRound, says: “Being named one of the ‘Nation’s Favourite Businesses’ is a huge honour for GiftRound. As a small team of four, we’ve built the business quietly with plenty of determination and a genuine belief that bringing people together to show they care should be simple, joyful and free from any fees. This recognition feels like a wonderful vote of confidence in that vision, and we’re incredibly proud to represent Scotland’s thriving small business community on a national stage.”

GiftRound has recently expanded its ability to support group collections for local gift cards, working with Town & City Gift Cards across more than 90 UK towns and cities.

Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, continues: “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy.

“This year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. From independent, family-run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community. We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, concludes: “Small businesses bring energy, innovation and character to our high streets and local economies. That’s why American Express is proud to have founded Small Business Saturday and why we continue to back small businesses to help them thrive.

“This year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses are a brilliant showcase of the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re delighted to be providing grant funding that will help two of these inspiring businesses invest in their next chapter of growth.”

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign which celebrates small businesses and encourages consumers to support them, originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010 (the principal supporter in the UK) aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.

The 2026 campaign will culminate on Saturday 5 December, with the campaign highlighting small businesses across the UK through social media, PR and its nationwide activity.

Small Business Saturday is the UK’s most successful small business campaign. A nationwide tour is planned for November, visiting towns and cities across the UK.

GiftRound is one of the fintechs in the FinTech Scotland community.