1. David Howden, Group CEO, Howden Group Holdings

Howden Group Holdings was founded in 1994 and has since grown into a global insurance powerhouse headquartered in London. It delivers retail, specialty, wholesale, underwriting, reinsurance, and capital markets services to millions of clients, and manages over $42 billion in premiums. Howden’s employee ownership structure is a core part of its culture, with 5,300 employees forming the largest shareholder group. This model fuels long-term growth and underscores the company’s distinctive culture of innovation and sustainable growth.

Sector: Insurance

Region: London

2. Glenn Thompson, CEO, Advance Construction Group

Advance Construction Group is a UK-based construction and civil engineering firm known for its commitment to quality, safety, and workforce development. The company has received industry recognition for its performance on major housing projects and maintains a strong culture of staff appreciation, offering regular employee recognition and safety awards. With a clear focus on excellence and continuous improvement, Advance Construction Group is a trusted partner to developers and public-sector clients alike. Its Scotland arm secured the “Contractor Performance Award” from Miller Homes for the Leven Mill project.

Sector: Engineering

Region: Bellshill

3. Eoghan O’Lionard, CEO, Wates Group

Wates Group is a UK-based family-owned construction, property services and development company, delivering complex building projects and strategic asset management across the public and private sectors. Established in 1897 and headquartered in Surrey, Wates is one of the country’s leading privately held built environment specialists, known for its technical expertise and reliable project delivery. The company has delivered several high-profile schemes including the regeneration of the Marylebone Square development in central London, the refurbishment of the iconic Royal College of Surgeons building, and major public sector works such as the fit-out of HMRC regional centres and Ministry of Justice facilities. With a broad portfolio spanning residential housing, education, healthcare, and commercial infrastructure, Wates continues to play a key role in shaping the UK’s modern built environment through precision, scale, and sector-specific knowledge.

Sector: Construction

Region: Leatherhead

4. TS Anil, CEO, Monzo Bank

Monzo is a London based digital challenger bank founded in 2015 by Tom Blomfield, Gary Dolman, Jason Bates, Jonas Huckestein, and Paul Rippon. With a mission to simplify banking, offering transparent app first services and a collaborative user feedback model, Monzo has attracted millions of users. Headquartered near Liverpool Street, the bank empowers customers through budgeting tools, real time notifications, and community led feature development. The company continues to explore AI enhanced fraud protection and international expansion, with a particular focus on scaling its US operations.

Sector: Fintech

Region: London

5. Mark Bennett, Group Managing Director, Andrew Industries

Andrew Industries is a UK-based industrial engineering and manufacturing group serving sectors including marine, rail, and energy. Offering bespoke fabrication, machining, and assembly solutions, the company integrates in-house design, testing, and installation services for critical components and systems. Known for precision craftsmanship and engineering versatility, Andrew Industries is trusted by clients seeking end-to-end project delivery. With roots in practical problem-solving and technical excellence, the group underpins complex infrastructure builds with reliable fabrication and delivery.

Sector: Manufacturing

Region: Altham

6. Cheri Read, CEO, Restful Homes Group

Restful Homes Group Ltd. is a forward-thinking provider of supported residential housing and care services for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. With person‑centred care at its heart, Restful Homes operates a portfolio of community-based homes that emphasise independence, dignity, and a high quality of life. By fostering strong relationships with families, clinicians, and local authorities, Restful Homes delivers bespoke support packages that respect everyone’s goals, preferences, and wellbeing. Driven by compassion and professionalism, the Group continues to enhance lives through thoughtful, community‑focused residential care.

Sector: Care

Region: Derbyshire

7. Charlie Mowat, CEO The Clean Space

The Clean Space is a UK-based commercial cleaning company delivering high-quality, ethical cleaning services across healthcare, education, and office environments. Known for its people-first approach, the company places a strong emphasis on staff wellbeing and service consistency. By combining operational rigour with a values-led culture, The Clean Space has become a trusted partner for organisations seeking reliability, integrity, and sustainable practices in facilities management.

Sector: Cleaning

Region: London

8. Dave Gardner, CEO, OneBeyond

Founded in 2018 by Christopher Edwards Sr. and Jr., OneBeyond is a rapidly expanding UK discount retailer offering thousands of branded and essential items starting at just £1. Headquartered in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, the company operates over 100 stores nationwide and manages a 250,000 square feet distribution centre in Hoyland. OneBeyond rebranded in 2022 to reflect broader price points while retaining its strong value proposition. With a workforce exceeding 1,000, the business is actively scaling and reshaping the high street discount landscape with a sharp focus on affordability, fast logistics, and branded FMCG deals.

Sector: Retail

Region: Barnsley

9. Peter Harrison, Founder & Managing Director, FGH Security

Founded in 2003 by Peter Harrison while studying at Lancaster University, FGH Security Ltd began with a mission to improve standards in door supervision. What started as a student venture quickly grew into a leading UK security provider, now employing over 1,200 staff across multiple sectors, including events, retail, public spaces, and transport. The company operates from offices in Lancaster, London, Manchester, and Liverpool, and has been recognized as one of the UK’s best places to work.

Sector: Security

Region: London

10. Andrew Reynolds, Chief Executive, RLB

Established in 2003, Rider Levett Bucknall UK is a prominent construction consultancy and quantity surveying firm. As part of the global RLB network, it supports clients with cost management, project and programme management, asset advisory, and sustainability consultancy. With over 250 professionals based in Birmingham and the UK, and a global reach across 36 countries and 120 offices, RLB focuses on delivering strategic, high-impact outcomes within commercial, residential, and infrastructure programmes.

Sector: Construction & Property

Region: West Midlands

11. Jens Pedersen, CEO, Efficio Consulting

Efficio is the UK’s largest independent procurement and supply chain consultancy, founded in 2000 and headquartered in London. With over two decades of global experience, the firm helps clients achieve cost optimisation, supplier transformation, and digital procurement excellence through a combination of practitioner expertise and powerful analytics. Its client base includes leading corporations, public sector organisations and private equity firms across industries such as manufacturing, energy and utilities, financial services and retail. Efficio supports businesses in building more resilient, agile supply chains that deliver measurable performance improvements and long-term value.

Sector: Consultancy

Region: London

12. Neil Lloyd, CEO, Lawfront

Lawfront is a progressive legal services group bringing together high-performing regional law firms, this includes Bracher, Farley Fisher Jones Greenwood, Nelsos, Slater Heelis and Trethowans under a shared commitment to excellence, technology, and people-first service. Focused on innovation, Lawfront has invested in artificial intelligence and digital transformation to enhance both client experience and operational efficiency. The firm’s leadership has been honoured at national business awards, and its strategic acquisitions have strengthened its presence across the UK. Lawfront continues to redefine what modern legal services look like through collaboration and innovation.

Sector: Law

Region: London

13. Rob Organ, Group CEO, Jensten

Jensten is a leading UK insurance distribution business specialising in broking and underwriting. It operates across retail and wholesale markets through a portfolio of respected brands. Jensten has completed over 15 strategic acquisitions in the past two years, including 12 in 2023. Its growth reflects a commitment to building a connected, client-focused insurance ecosystem. The group now manages approximately £600 million in gross written premiums, with ambitions to significantly increase this figure over the coming years. Jensten Underwriting has received multiple national awards and industry recognition including Silver at the Insurance Times Awards and MGA of the Year at the UK Broker Awards.

Sector: Insurance

Region: Huntingdon

14. Neil Smith, Owner, Comex2000

Since its founding in Derby in 1998, Comex2000 has been a leading UK infrastructure provider specialising in telecom network builds, civil works, and 5G mast connectivity. The firm employs over 750 administrative and field staff across ten permanent UK locations and operates a fleet of roughly 700 vans for end-to-end project delivery. A preferred partner to Vodafone, Virgin O2, Zayo, and Community Fibre, Comex2000 combines traditional excavation with advanced fibre deployment and EV charger installations. Focused on ESG and workforce welfare, it continues to invest in greener operations and enhance safety protocols.

Sector: Telecommunications

Region: Derby

15. Peter Vohmann, CEO, Sidekick Group

Sidekick Group is an award-winning, London-based commercial cleaning and facilities management company, celebrated for its modern, values-driven approach. Founded with a clear mission to disrupt the traditional FM model, Sidekick integrates wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and data-led insights into every service it provides. Operating across the UK, Sidekick delivers a broad portfolio of services to office, education, and healthcare environments, with an emphasis on marginal gains and continuous improvement. In recognition of its rapid expansion and operational excellence, Sidekick was featured in The Sunday Times 100 list of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies. Its focus on culture, innovation, and measurable value has made it one of the most dynamic and high-performing businesses in the sector.

Sector: Cleaning

Region: London

16. Adrian Butler, Managing Director, Vow Wholesale

VOW Wholesale’s lineage can be traced back to 1852 in Birmingham, and they evolved since then via merger and rebranding into todays powerhouse headquartered in Sheffield, employing over 1,000 people across the UK and Ireland.