Tusker has been recognised as one of the most innovative companies in the UK after being shortlisted in the Orange Innovation Award category of the 11th annual National Business Awards for its salary sacrifice car scheme, SS4C.

The National Business Awards are often dubbed the ‘business Oscars’ and celebrate business excellence, innovation and ethics from around the UK.

They cover a variety of categories including small to medium sized business of the year, start-up business of the year, employer award, growth strategy of the year and sustainability award, with over 150 of Britain’s leading businesses and business leaders being announced as finalists in the awards programme.

The Orange Innovation Award acknowledges firms which have taken extraordinary steps to develop innovation within an organisation, such as driving forward research and development in products, services or company processes.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to this year’s National Business Awards. “These awards really do show off the best of British. Category after category, celebrating outstanding achievements. The true pride of Britain and the true wealth creators in our economy,” he said.

David Hosking, Tusker chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to be nominated for this award. Innovation is very important to our business and has had a very positive impact on our company.”

Shortlisting judge Gideon Hyde, founder and director of Market Gravity, said: “Tusker has pioneered the salary sacrifice market with a pipeline of innovative features to deliver impressive business growth.”