Entrepreneur of the Year 2026
Category criteria
- This award will recognise someone who has had a big impact with their own business or innovation and is open to people at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
- The judges will reward enterprising behaviour such as innovation, calculated risk-taking, management, leadership, vision and originality.
- The judges will also look for a positive impact on the wider economy and community.
Jenna Goodwin
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Jenna Goodwin is the founder, CEO and editor of The Staffordshire Signal CIC, a non-profit, community-led local media platform created to champion Staffordshire, support local businesses, tell trusted local stories and rebuild confidence in local journalism.
Known locally as The Red Haired Stokie, Jenna has spent years building a strong and trusted regional audience through local history, writing, photography, video and community storytelling. She has become a recognised Staffordshire voice, telling the stories of the county’s people, places, heritage, culture and communities in a way that feels human, accessible and rooted in place.
The Staffordshire Signal grew from that trust, but was created to become something much bigger than one person’s platform. Jenna recognised that Staffordshire needed a county-wide media organisation that could bring together local news, lifestyle, culture, events, business, heritage and community storytelling in a trusted, positive and sustainable way.
At a time when local journalism is under significant pressure, Jenna took the calculated risk of creating a new model. The Signal is funded by local businesses and the community it serves through advertising, sponsorship, print subscriptions, reader support, partnerships and community backing. Because it is a CIC, that support is reinvested into Staffordshire’s journalism, stories, people and places.
Under Jenna’s leadership, The Staffordshire Signal has grown into a multi-platform organisation combining a free print magazine, digital features, newsletters, events coverage, community storytelling, business visibility and developing video work through The Staffordshire Signal TV.
The Staffordshire Signal now has an official partnership with City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College for the development of this video work, and Jenna is already in conversation with other educational organisations that want to be involved. The aim is to create a practical pathway between education and real media experience, giving students the chance to work on meaningful local stories, build confidence, develop portfolios and understand what journalism, production, and storytelling look like in practice.
Jenna Goodwin has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Ben and Michael Dyer
Entrepreneur 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
Entrepreneur 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.
Tim Howarth
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Less than two years after it was set up as a one-man business Astro Education has expanded across two counties with a team of four staff and has ambitious plans to grow further.
The Stoke-on-Trent based business specialises in recruitment and retention for the education sector including connecting schools with high-quality teaching and support staff.
It works with primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and specialist SEN provisions across Staffordshire and Cheshire.
It provides both day-to-day supply staff and long-term placements covering a wide range of roles including qualified teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists, pastoral staff, cover supervisors and administrative professionals.
Founder Tim Howarth, who worked in the insurance industry before moving into recruitment, has added a former headteacher and teaching assistant into his team. They currently have a workforce of around 100 educational professionals.
Tim said: “From the outset, our mission has been to build a recruitment business that prioritises relationships, reliability and fairness. Schools rely heavily on agency support to maintain continuity for their pupils yet many report challenges around cost, inconsistent candidate quality and poor service from traditional recruitment providers.
“Astro Education was established specifically to address these issues. Our approach focuses on transparent pricing, high compliance standards and careful candidate matching to ensure that both schools and staff benefit from a supportive and professional recruitment experience.
“Although we are still a young business, our growth since launching has been significant. Within less than two years we have developed a strong and expanding client base across Staffordshire and have begun extending our reach into Cheshire.”
Wherever possible Tim tries to put back into the communities his business serves including sponsoring football kits for Excel Academy and sponsoring an early years practitioners event.
“I want people to want to work with us,” he said. "I’m creating a brand that is a transparent, responsive and ethical alternative that genuinely supports the education community.”
Astro Education has entered the Small Business of the Year, Start-up Business of the Year and Growth categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Tim Howarth has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Adam Swierk
Entrepreneur of the Year nominee
Adam Swierk founded V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd in 2022 with a simple but clear goal - to build a construction company people could genuinely trust.
Four years later the business is thriving, on track to double its turnover year on year and Adam’s wife, Maria, has been able to leave her previous job to join the family firm.
The couple now have one permanent member of staff and four contractors who work on the likes of extensions, garage conversions and full-house renovations as well as routine maintenance around Staffordshire.
Maria said: “Starting from nothing, Adam took on every responsibility himself. He secured the work, managed the finances, built relationships with suppliers and delivered projects on site.
“In the early days it meant long hours, personal risk and complete accountability — but it also laid strong foundations.
“Through determination, consistency and a hands-on approach he has grown the business into a respected contractor across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that is on track to more than double its turnover year on year.”
Adam has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, a Level 7 Diploma in Construction and Senior Management and an understanding of both the practical and commercial sides of the sector.
The 39-year-old has built the company steadily and sustainably, expanding from a sole founder to a structured team supported by trusted contractors.
Adam believes success should also benefit others. He actively encourages and supports other tradespeople who are considering starting their own businesses, sharing advice from his own journey and leading by example.
He is also committed to supporting the local community, working closely with local suppliers and tradespeople and donating Christmas presents each year to the children’s ward at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Adam has been nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Tomasz Putynkowski
Entrepreneur 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.
Emma Cartlich
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Former NHS Educator of the Year winner Emma Cartlich now uses her teaching skills to run two pet businesses including founding and scaling a training academy.
Emma, from Weston Coyney, runs wedding dog chaperone service Precious Pets Weddings with her husband Adrian alongside Ultra Clean Canines, where she has created a one-of-a-kind training platform and works with colleges around the UK.
She is constantly innovating within both businesses including creating a training arm to Precious Pets Weddings to upskill other people looking to enter the profession rather than seeing them as a threat to her business.
She said: “Everything we do with both businesses is about being professional and ethical.
“I was a teacher and a trainer in colleges and in the NHS where I used to teach doctors and nurses how to use clinical hospital systems and would help GP surgeries to use new clinical IT systems. I spent 14 years in the NHS and before that I worked in colleges and prisons.”
She says it was a natural progression to launch the businesses after her husband trained as a dog groomer.
She was initially still working full-time as Research and Development Training Lead at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, leaving her job in 2018 to work full-time on the businesses.
“We never anticipated Ultra Clean Canines becoming such a successful training academy and when we took Precious Pets Weddings to wedding shows we had people queueing around the corner to speak to us.
“I took a risk and left my job with the NHS to get our businesses off the ground. Then the pandemic hit and dog grooming businesses were shutting down, so I had the idea of running emmi®-pet seminars on Zoom and the rest is history.
“Adrian is like the dog whisperer and doesn’t even go on a laptop whereas I’m the entrepreneurial one with a background in IT.”
Emma added: “I get real job satisfaction from what I do. It really can feel like I’m making people’s dreams come true. We do our job because we have a genuine passion for what we do.”
Emma Cartlich has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Selina Rudzik
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Selina Rudzik is the Managing Director of Recruitment Robin Ltd, a Newcastle-under-Lyme based recruitment business she has developed into a practical, partnership-led solution to regional skills shortages.
Over the past three years Selina has evolved the business beyond traditional recruitment delivery, responding to a clear gap between employer demand and the availability of work-ready talent. She has repositioned Recruitment Robin to support longer-term workforce development, particularly through structured engagement with education providers and early careers programmes.
A key part of this approach has been the integration of T-Level pathways into employer recruitment strategies. Selina has worked with more than 50 local businesses to introduce structured student placements and has personally engaged more than 20 established clients in adopting this approach. This has helped businesses access early talent more consistently while strengthening long-term recruitment pipelines across engineering, digital and commercial sectors.
Alongside this, Selina has worked in partnership with Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) to improve employer engagement practice. Drawing on her recruitment experience she has delivered CPD sessions for placement teams focused on employer prospecting and networking and has supported staff in developing stronger industry relationships through access to her professional network.
Selina has also contributed to wider workforce discussion within the region. At a recent HR forum she presented to local HR leaders on the challenges associated with hiring Gen Z and emerging Gen Alpha talent, including generational differences in workplace expectations and the adaptation required from both employers and young people entering unfamiliar work environments. This reflects her broader focus on addressing skills and cultural gaps within the labour market, not only through delivery but through employer engagement and discussion.
In addition to her client work, Selina directly supports early careers development within her own organisation, mentoring six T-Level students from disciplines including legal services, business management and marketing. These students are given structured workplace experience across recruitment operations, enabling them to contribute to live business activity while developing practical, transferable skills.
Selina Rudzik has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.