The Shortlist For The 2026 Yorkshire Leadership Awards In Leeds

Ever wondered what makes a really great boss? It’s not just about giving instructions. It’s about inspiring people, guiding teams and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. The spotlight is officially on those who do exactly that because the shortlist for the 2026 Yorkshire Leadership Awards in Leeds has just been announced.

It’s a major moment for the region, celebrating outstanding business talent and showcasing leaders who make a real difference.

What these awards are all about

These awards focus on authentic leadership, the kind that is genuine, fair and rooted in strong values. The Yorkshire Leadership Awards were created to recognise individuals who are true role models in their organisations. They’re the ones who lift others up, motivate teams and inspire change. Leadership isn’t the same everywhere.

It looks different in a growing startup compared to a huge company but the core qualities are the same. These awards recognise leaders who create positive impact not just within their business but across their entire sector.

The judges who had the tough job

Choosing the shortlist is no easy task. This year’s judges brought a wealth of expertise. The panel included Dr Delroy Beverley from the Institute of Directors, Natalie Boswell from Lloyds Banking Group, Dr Kim Johnson from The Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales and Paul Thorning from the University of Bradford. Their experience helped shape a shortlist filled with exceptional talent representing the best of Yorkshire’s business community.

And the nominees are... the full shortlist

Here is the complete list of talented individuals who made the 2026 Yorkshire Leadership Awards shortlist.

Young Leader (aged 35 and under)

David Blaney – SimAnalytica
Alex Chamberlain – Study Write
Subhash Chatterjee – One SC Media
Jack Hembleys – First Locate
Kate Hutchinson – The Sustainability Community (TSC)
Sheraz Shazad Fazal – Study Write
Jasmine Trotter – First Locate

Public and Third Sector Leader

Nicki Rowland – The Magic Dentist Charity
Jonathan Williams – Fareshare Yorkshire
Emily Wragg – Candlelighters

Mentor

Anna Coulson – The Froebelian School
Karen Eckstein – Karen Eckstein
Breeya Holman – Study Write
Bobby Ramsay – Lumi and Lumiere
Chris Salt – Candlelighters
Sheraz Shazad Fazal – Study Write
Jez Willard – The Japanese Shop

Emerging Entrepreneur Leader

Subhash Chatterjee – One SC Media
Steve Davis – Grantside
Phil Harris – Coppice
Sam Hameed – Solution Performance Group
Nick Hird – Vidrate
Dave Stanger – Tectonix Natural Stone
James Taylor – Corecom Tech Academy

Diversity & Inclusion Leader

Mohammed Azum – Carlton Bolling
Rachel Burrell Cook – ThreeTenSeven
Laura Evans Hill – Nifty Fox Creative
Ridha Shah – Turner & Townsend
James Taylor – Corecom Tech Academy
Victoria Tomlinson – Next Up
Jennifer Winyard – Women in Property/Barratt Redrow

Professional Services Leader

Simon Dixon – Hatmill
Sandy Domingos Shipley – The Systems Link
Karen Eckstein – Karen Eckstein
James Groot – Cortus Advisory Group
Phil Harris – Coppice
Poonam Kaur – fds Director Services
Roy Shelton – Connectus Business Solutions
Jamie Toyne – Herd Consulting

Green Leader

Fiona Conor – Trust Electric Heating
Joanne Gualda – Bagnalls
Neil Hodgson – River Stewardship Company / Riverlution
Kate Hutchinson – The Sustainability Community (TSC)

HR Leader

Lisa Bailey – Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Jade Donahue – First Locate
Mary Meyer – Yorwaste
Sheraz Shazad Fazal – Study Write

Hospitality Leader

Danielle Best – Mexi Bean Express/Kalm/Charlie’s Desserts
Zoe Hands – Marriott Hotels
Hemant Markanday – Hilton Leeds City
Simon Midgley – Starling Harrogate and Harrogate Business Improvement District

Manufacturing Leader

Fiona Conor – Trust Electric Heating
Edward Naylor – Naylor Group
Peter Taylor – Honey Thief
Samantha Overton – Zebra Print Group

Sales Leader

Daniel Deakin – Leach
Zoe Hands – Marriott Hotels
Tom Robertshaw – Candlelighters
Dave Stanger – Tectonix Natural Stone
Jez Willard – The Japanese Shop

Marketing Leader

Danielle Best – Mexi Bean Express/Kalm/Charlie’s Desserts
Rachel Burrell Cook – ThreeTenSeven
Subhash Chatterjee – One SC Media
Sam Goodwin – Headstar
Joanne Gualda – Bagnalls
Rachel Mcelroy – Axiologik

Technology Leader

Daniel Bell – Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Steve Birdsall – Gaist Solutions
Melissa Chambers – Sitehop
Sam Hameed – Solution Performance Group
Liz Rhodes – Art of Cloud
Dr Mike Roberts – Slipstream Engineering Design
Malcolm Seagrave – hedgehog lab
Alastair Taylor – NYnet

Finance Leader

Sam Dobney – Headstar
Phil Harris – Coppice
Paul Marshall – Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Lisa Reeder – Carlton Academy Trust

Property Leader

Harpreet Banwait – Banwait Group Holdings
Marc Brough – Cubo
Steve Davis – Grantside
Mark Heptonstall – enevo
Alison Jackson – Carter Towler
Nick Shepherd – Britcon

Education Leader

Luke Cardwell – Life Skills Hub
Anna Coulson – The Froebelian School
Dan Howard – Lifetime Training
Victoria Queenan – Study Write
Nicki Rowland – The Magic Dentist Charity

Company Leader (up to 50 employees)

Alex Craven – The Data City
Nick Hird – Vidrate
Victoria Queenan – Study Write
James Roach – Headstar
Liz Rhodes – Art of Cloud
Rachel Roche – Roche Legal
Jez Willard – The Japanese Shop
Emily Wragg – Candlelighters

Company Leader (51–100 employees)

Danielle Best – Mexi Bean Express/Kalm/Charlie’s Desserts
Fiona Conor – Trust Electric Heating
Simon Dixon – Hatmill
Sam Hameed – Solution Performance Group
Mark Heptonstall – enevo
Malcolm Seagrave – hedgehog lab
James Taylor – Corecom Tech Academy

Company Leader (101+ employees)

Gary Curley – First Locate
Harpreet Banwait – Banwait Group Holdings
Hemant Markanday – Hilton Leeds City
Edward Naylor – Naylor Group
Nick Shepherd – Britcon
Neil Wilson – Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Transformational Leader

Simon Dixon – Hatmill
Laura Evans Hill – Nifty Fox Creative
Fiona Hale – CoolCare
Heather Jackson – GenM
Edward Naylor – Naylor Group
Gareth Scargill – Nexus Leeds
Malcolm Seagrave – hedgehog lab
Nick Shepherd – Britcon

Mark your calendars

So, what’s next? All nominees will head to the awards dinner where the winners will be announced. The event takes place on March 12 2026 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. It promises to be an incredible night celebrating the very best leadership Yorkshire has to offer. Congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist.