LDC launches search to find the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in 2022

LDC has kickstarted its annual search to find Britain’s most exceptional entrepreneurs and is inviting mid-market business leaders from across the UK to enter The Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme.

Now in its fifth year, the programme will uncover the leaders behind some of the UK’s most exciting mid-sized firms. It will champion tales of ambition, inclusion, sustainable impact, innovation and international prowess.

Whether it’s creating jobs or more equitable societies, contributing to sustainability, expanding overseas, developing new products and services or actively putting purpose at the heart of what they do, LDC and The Times want to share these inspiring stories with the nation. All of The Top 50 and Ones to Watch will be profiled in The Times later this year and invited to celebratory events across the UK where individual award winners will be announced.

An expert panel of judges will come together to determine the award winners including The UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader for 2022 – the one person who best defines the leadership qualities needed in business today – along with awards focused on sustainability, people, innovation and international ambition.

In 2021, Emilie Vanpoperinghe, founder of Oddbox, was named The Most Ambitious Business Leader. The judges commended Emilie for not only growing a business that is creating jobs and generating economic value, but for rapidly building a brand that is committed to tackling food waste – one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

Business leaders like Emilie with a clear mission to support people, communities and society, and to contribute to a more sustainable future, will also remain at the heart of this year’s programme.

Last year, Andy Gough, CEO of eQuality Solutions, won The People First Award, after impressing the judges with his commitment to helping students with disabilities and learning difficulties to have a fulfilling education at university. Whereas Rob and Mart Drake-Knight, co-founders of Teemill, won The Sustainable Impact Award in recognition of creating a circular economy for t-shirts.

John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said: “Since 2018, The Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme has shared inspiring tales of ambition from the leaders that feature. I’m confident that this year will be no different. The business leaders from last year’s programme are not only powering the UK economy but are using their talents to drive positive and lasting change. It’s more important than ever that we recognise those who are committed to growth and to making an impact.”

To qualify for the programme, nominated candidates must be the driving force (or co-leaders) behind a fast-growing mid-sized business based in the UK. More information on how to nominate can be found here.