Business Leader of the Year 2026

Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative, and visionary individual, the Business Leader of the Year Award seeks to define the qualities of success – from drive, ambition, vision and tenacity to inspirational leadership, inventiveness and confidence. Held up as an example of what an enterprising individual can achieve in business, the winner of this award must demonstrate the highest levels of growth and financial performance and how they have achieved these through a culture of innovation, business awareness and operational efficiency.

Open to individuals operating in the private, public or third sector, this Award will go to an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate the following:

• Exceptional vision and effective leadership
• Identification of a market opportunity
• How staff and resources were applied to optimise the opportunity
• Strong commercial performance on financial results
• Significant growth or expansion
• Potential and plan for sustained growth
• Innovation in products, services, or processes
• Customer engagement
• An ethical approach to business