Alumni Business Person of the Year 2026
Category criteria
- Entrants for this category must be University of Staffordshire alumni.
- Entrants could be employed or self-employed but should be directly responsible for the success of their enterprise.
- The judges will be looking for evidence of the entrants’ determination to make the most of new opportunities to help fuel their company’s success.
Ben and Michael Dyer
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Founded by University of Staffordshire alumni, The Inspirational Learning Group has become one of the UK’s leading careers, enterprise and employability education providers.
From its base in Stafford it works with schools, colleges, employers and international partners to create meaningful opportunities for young people.
With projected turnover now exceeding £1.5 million and strong recurring revenues across education and corporate partnerships, the business has continued to grow despite challenging economic conditions and increasing pressure across the education sector.
Stoke-on-Trent born cousins Ben and Michael Dyer founded the business in 2013 while they were both still studying at University of Staffordshire.
From humble beginnings, working from a rented office on the University of Staffordshire campus, TILG has become a market-leader in the careers education sector, with its flagship The National Careers Challenge now the largest school enterprise competition in the UK.
The team supports thousands of students, teachers and employers each year through initiatives such as The National Careers Challenge, which has now reached more than 750,000 young people across the UK and internationally.
Ben said: “The team’s ability to deliver at this scale while maintaining quality, energy and strong customer relationships is what makes them exceptional. They work across live events, national finals, in-school delivery, digital platform management and employer partnerships, often balancing multiple major projects at once. Their commitment to customer service, innovation and educational impact consistently goes beyond expectation.
“Entrepreneurship sits at the centre of TILG’s story. Founded with a vision to transform careers education and bridge the gap between education and employment, the business has grown from a start-up into a nationally recognised organisation working with some of the biggest employers in the UK, including NatWest, British Airways, Air Products, Wickes, GE Vernova and AtkinsRéalis.
“This entrepreneurial journey has required resilience, risk-taking and constant innovation. From building The National Careers Challenge into the UK’s largest enterprise competition, to launching the Lightbulb platform and leading new work around Equalex and Modern Work Experience, TILG has consistently stayed ahead of policy change and market demand rather than reacting to it.
“The business is now helping shape how schools and employers approach the Government’s 10-day work experience guarantee, positioning itself as a true market leader in this space.”
He added: “Most importantly, TILG creates genuine change. It helps young people build confidence, develop employability skills and connect with real employers and real opportunities. It supports schools in delivering meaningful careers education at scale and helps employers engage with future talent in a way that creates measurable social value.
“What makes TILG stand out is the combination of exceptional teamwork, entrepreneurial leadership, commercial resilience and long-term purpose. It is not simply a successful business it is a business making a meaningful difference.”
The Inspirational Learning Group has entered the Team of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Ben and Michael Dyer have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year, Alumni Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories.
Kate Holt
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Kate Holt is the Managing Director of BusinessLodge and has played a pivotal role in driving its growth and expansion in Stoke-on-Trent, with a second £1.5million space opening earlier this year.
The University of Staffordshire Sports and Leisure Management Alumna was heavily involved in the hockey team and was a member of the British Universities cricket team during her time studying in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1990s, a city she’s never forgotten.
Since 2014 Kate has led the growth of BusinessLodge, supporting clients to build their businesses, growing and supporting the local economy. A role which is echoed in the Northwest where Kate also oversees and is leading the expansion of sites in Widnes and Bury.
Kate has personally overseen the company’s investment into Heron House which has transformed a former NHS and Midlands Electricity Board building into a high-quality, 20,000 sq. ft flexible workspace in Heron Cross, bringing a prominent building back into use and contributing to the area’s regeneration. It has reached 29% occupancy within just four months, with further phases set to expand its capacity to around 300 workstations supporting up to 50 businesses.
Kate also oversees the continued success of Trent House in Fenton, which opened in 2019 and has become a well-established base for a wide range of businesses. Together, these two sites position BusinessLodge as a key provider of flexible workspace in the city, supporting companies at every stage of their journey.
While Stoke-on-Trent is a major focus of recent investment and growth, Kate also leads the wider BusinessLodge portfolio, including expanding sites in Widnes and Bury. She was instrumental in overseeing the opening of the Widnes site, after a total redevelopment.
Over the past 12 months, Kate has successfully navigated significant challenges while continuing to grow the business. Like many organisations, BusinessLodge has faced rising cost pressures, including increased National Insurance contributions, higher energy costs and general inflationary pressures. At the same time, clients have been managing tighter budgets, requiring a careful balance between maintaining high service standards and remaining competitively priced.
Kate has responded by maintaining close control of financial performance while reinforcing the value of the BusinessLodge offering. By focusing on flexibility, quality and service, the business has continued to attract and retain clients despite a challenging economic climate. As a result, BusinessLodge has delivered consistent growth in sales turnover, underpinned by sustained demand for high-quality, flexible workspace. This upward trajectory is set to continue into 2026, supported by increased capacity following Heron House’s opening.
Kate’s focus now is on building on the strong foundations established in Stoke-on-Trent while continuing to strengthen the wider business. Further expansion is planned, with Phase 4 at Trent House set to deliver an additional 100 workstations over the next 12 months, while future phases at Heron House will add a further 80 workstations. Alongside this, continued growth across Widnes and Bury will further enhance the BusinessLodge network. Phase four of expansion at the Widnes office will see space for another 100 workstations.
At the same time, a new training platform will be introduced to support team development and ensure consistently high standards. With strong occupancy levels, sustained demand for flexible workspace and a clear growth strategy, the business is well positioned for the future.
Kate Holt has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Tomasz Putynkowski
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
It’s been a successful year for University of Staffordshire alumnus Tomasz Putynkowski, including reaching the finals of the LUCA Awards — the highest national award in the UK for bookkeeping and accountancy professionals.
Tomasz is the founder of Fenton-based JMT, an accountancy and business advisory firm that has now supported more than 170 small and medium-sized enterprises across Staffordshire and beyond.
He is also the CEO of a supported living non-profit organisation dedicated to providing quality housing and support for less fortunate adults in the Staffordshire area.
Over the past two years he has collaborated with University of Staffordshire, where he studied for a number of professional qualifications, and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, share real-world business insight and bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application.
His involvement helps equip students with financial literacy, entrepreneurial confidence and a clearer understanding of the challenges and rewards of running a business.
Over the past three years alone, Tomasz has helped raise and donate more than £7,000 for local charities and community initiatives. He has organised and supported numerous fundraising events and continuously promotes civic engagement within the business sector.
Previously serving as Treasurer of the Staffordshire Autistic Society, he has contributed financial governance and strategic oversight within the charity sector, demonstrating responsibility and accountability beyond his own enterprise.
“I love my job and what I do,” Tomasz said. “It gives me the opportunity to be involved in so many positive things and to help as many people as possible. Everything is going in the right direction.”
Tomasz has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Jodie Steele
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
University of Staffordshire alumna Jodie Steele has created three brands inspired by her own experiences with neurodiversity.
The 44-year-old, from Stone, graduated in Marketing in 2003 and went on to work in high-pressure sales and marketing roles for multinational businesses including five years working overseas. She has worked for newspaper groups and in both radio and television.
During the pandemic she had a neurological crash which caused problems with her vision and a loss of motor skills on the right side of her body. She also had a late diagnosis of ADHD.
Jodie has spent several years rehabilitating during which the marketeer in her realised that her own lived experience was the basis of a brand that could help other people. That brand is also now becoming an income stream for Jodie.
She founded NeuroTalks, a lived experience led training and consultancy business that supports organisations to build neuro-inclusive, high-performing and psychologically safe environments.
A growing suite of digital products have been developed including free and paid workbooks, training resources and recorded content.
Alongside Neurotalks she has developed complementary ventures Alchemy Souls Travel, an inclusive and wellbeing-led travel storytelling brand, and Aura & Ash, a sustainability-focused lifestyle brand.
All three brands are gaining increased social media interaction. Jodie has been doing paid work through her brands since November including collaborations with the likes of the RSPCA.
Jodie said: “This could have broken a lot of people but if I can use it to help other people then I think that’s a really positive thing and it motivates me to do more.”
Jodie has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered NeuroTalks into the Innovation, Skills For The Future and Business in the Community categories.
She added: “I’m a graduate of University of Staffordshire and this is not simply a historical detail; it is part of my identity as a business leader. The value of that learning, real-world relevance and community connection continue to influence how I operate today.
“I represent the kind of graduate who builds impact over time and offers sustained contribution; not a single business, but an ecosystem; not profit at the expense of people, but performance through inclusion.
“To be recognised as Alumni Business Person of the Year would not only reflect my own journey but would shine a light on the importance of neuro-inclusive leadership, wellbeing-led innovation and values-driven entrepreneurship - areas that increasingly define future work, travel and community life.”