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.
Sarah Lilley
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
From a standing start in 2024, promotional merchandise company Brandily now has a team of 10 working with clients based around the world.
Founded by Staffordshire-based former business studies and digital media teacher Sarah Lilley, Brandily draws on her core skills and gives her the flexibility to run a growing business around being a mum.
She describes her work as akin to being a personal shopper to find the right merchandise for businesses and organisations, hone the artwork and then deliver.
“I was a teacher for 20 years, which I left to become an online Spanish teacher, then I had the idea for Brandily and it all fell into place,” she said.
“With the support of my partner and the people around me I launched my own business. I wouldn’t change it for the world now.”
Sarah’s clients include the likes of tourist attractions, education, the care industry, business organisations, theatres and more with orders sometimes reaching tens of thousands of pounds. Brandily has already won Government tenders.
“Some of our clients know exactly what they want but others like us to go away and come up with a shopping list for them. We have a graphic design team who make sure the artwork is just right and a back-office team who look after invoicing, human resources and so on.”
Sarah, who speaks four languages, has an office at Scholar Green and her admin team is based in London but the nature of her work means she can work with clients as far afield as the US and around Europe.
She added: “I founded Brandily in 2024 and identified an opportunity to disrupt the promotional merchandise industry by delivering a more strategic, design-led and fully managed service.
“Acting on this vision, I scaled the business from a standing start to an international operation serving clients across the UK and Europe. Early expansion into international markets, supported by a European fulfilment network, demonstrates my ability to take calculated risks that unlock growth while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Sarah has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered Brandily into the Growth Award and Start-up categories.
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.
Jonathan Lawton
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Hixon Group has developed an innovative and scalable approach to tackling one of the most significant challenges facing UK businesses - the vulnerability of small and medium-sized organisations to cyber threats.
Based at Keele Science Park, the IT and cybersecurity provider is behind the Staffordshire Cyber Resilience Programme, a free-to-access digital platform designed to help businesses understand, assess and improve their cybersecurity in a clear, practical and accessible way.
The programme was created through a partnership with Keele University and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, supported by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. This collaboration brings together academic research, real-world threat intelligence and direct access to the regional business community.
The innovation was driven by a clear and urgent problem. While cyber-attacks increasingly target SMEs, most lack the resources, knowledge or confidence to respond. Hixon Group identified that the issue was not just technical, but human.
Many business owners face what the programme defines as the ‘embarrassment barrier’ - a reluctance to engage with cybersecurity due to fear of not understanding it. This insight became central to the design of the solution.
Rather than developing another technical training product, Hixon Group helped create a system that translates cybersecurity into simple, relatable actions. This is delivered through the Digital Fortress framework, which reframes complex concepts into everyday language, helping non-technical users understand and take control of their risk.
The platform combines short, accessible learning modules with a Cyber Maturity Diagnostic tool. Users answer simple, plain-English questions and receive a clear, personalised risk profile, alongside practical steps they can immediately implement.
Since launch, the programme has engaged more than 5,000 users within six months. Data shows a significant increase in the adoption of key security measures, including multi-factor authentication, alongside improved user confidence and awareness.
Participating organisations have reported a reduction in cyber incidents of up to 60%, with economic modelling suggesting the programme has already prevented substantial financial losses for local businesses.
Hixon Group was founded in 2011 by Managing Director Jonathan Lawton. He now has a team of three staff which will grow to four people in September.
Jonathan Lawton has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered Hixon Group into the Innovation Award category.
Ben Trickett
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Finding the simplest, most efficient and environmentally friendly waste disposal solutions for companies and households has become a successful, sustainable business for entrepreneur Ben Trickett.
Now in its third year, Sixtowns Waste is innovating new ways to support people in Staffordshire, the Midlands and North West England.
The Barlaston-based business has successfully completed house clearances and refurbishments for landlords after Ben discovered a gap in the market.
A former maintenance manager at AstraZeneca, Ben always planned to run a business and turned his attention to the waste disposal sector.
Having recognised a gap in the market for holistic waste collection and disposal solutions, Ben founded Sixtowns Waste in April 2023.
When taking on a job, Sixtowns Waste plans a complete solution using a carefully chosen list of sub-contractors.
The sub-contractors work with Ben’s core team to ensure each job is completed without the customer having to get involved.
Examples of work completed last year include a site clearance for TCS John Huxley in Fenton including hazardous workshop waste, clearance of shipping containers and portacabins at Watermills School in Chell, largescale electrical waste disposal at North Manchester Hospital and work with Burslem-based document management experts Chaffinch to support waste clearance work for their clients.
Ben said: “I have put a lot of time into cultivating a strong network of contractors and that is paying off.
“I am committed to transparency and devote time through our social media channels each week to explaining how we work and the potential solutions that customers need.
“For example, how does a school go about disposing of computer towers and laptops, ensuring they remain compliant with data protection laws?
“We have available solutions which both keep you compliant and reduce harm to the environment. Along with compliant disposal, we ensure as much equipment as possible is sent to charity to help disadvantage people in developing countries.”
He added: “We source as many trusted local partners as we can. As a business owner I have forged relationships with companies across the building trades, especially through business networking with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, BNI Sir Stanley Matthews and the Grafters trades network.”
Ben Trickett has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered Sixtowns Waste in the Growth Award category.
Ahbid Choudry
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Ahbid Choudry set up a specialist taxi firm for people with disabilities to stop them suffering from the embarrassment he says he faced growing up.
The Shelton-based businessman has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a wheelchair himself.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Ahbid couldn’t do the things his friends and peers were doing socially because he couldn’t get a taxi to transport him in his wheelchair. There were evenings out at nightclubs like The Place and Valentinos where he simply couldn’t get home.
It was this experience and his dogged determination to make a difference to those in the same boat as himself that led to the creation of CabAbility in 2016.
Starting with just two jobs in the first year of trading the company has grown considerably. Over the past decade it has become a trusted, inclusive transport service employing around 50 staff and serving a wide range of customers who rely on accessible, reliable travel.
Ahbid, who comes from a family of taxi owners, said: “From the beginning the aim was not only to provide wheelchair-accessible taxi services, but to build a company that actively represented and empowered disabled people. That mission remains central today.
“Being a disability proud employer is not a label we use lightly; it reflects a genuine commitment to creating a workplace where disabled employees are valued, supported and given equal opportunity to progress. This includes ensuring that recruitment processes are accessible, that reasonable adjustments are readily available and that staff are supported in ways that allow them to perform at their best without unnecessary barriers.
“The culture of the company is shaped by the belief that lived experience matters. Many of our team members either have personal experience of disability or have worked closely within the accessible transport sector for years. This creates a workforce that understands the importance of dignity, patience and respect when supporting passengers.
“For many customers, especially wheelchair users and individuals with additional mobility needs, transport is not simply about getting from one place to another - it is about independence, confidence and inclusion in everyday life. Our team understands that responsibility deeply.”
All of the company’s drivers are trained in how to strap different wheelchairs in safely and correctly which is essential when some wheelchairs can be as heavy as twenty stone. Drivers also have British Sign Language, autism and seizure training.
Ahbid left school before taking any qualifications and started selling windows before working in sales for Vodafone. He credits this sales background and his own personal experience as the reasons for the company’s success.
CabAbility has entered the Small Business of the Year, Team of the Year and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Ahbid Choudry has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Daren and Jacob Durkin
Entrepreneur of the Year entry
Daren and Jacob Durkin have transformed Trentham Foods from a small Staffordshire poultry trading business into a high-growth, nationally and internationally connected company.
The business achieved average annual turnover growth of more than 16% between 2022 and 2026, including a 40% increase between 2024 and 2025, with projected growth of almost 18% from 2025 to 2026.
Founded by Daren Durkin in 2006, Trentham Foods initially specialised in supplying poultry products to butchers, wholesalers and foodservice customers. Having built his career within the meat industry through operational and trading roles, Daren developed a deep understanding of customer needs, relationship building and identifying commercial opportunities within a highly competitive sector.
Jacob joined the business in 2013 after graduating from Keele University with a degree in International Business and Finance. Bringing a fresh commercial perspective and ambitious plans for expansion, he recognised opportunities to take the business beyond its regional roots.
Daren and Jacob formed an entrepreneurial partnership, combining decades of industry expertise with strategic thinking, innovation and a long-term growth mindset.
When Brexit introduced major changes to international trade, increased customs administration and rising import costs, many businesses within the sector saw this as a barrier to expansion. Daren and Jacob viewed it as an opportunity to scale the business rapidly while competitors hesitated. Using reinvested profits rather than loans or external investment, they invested heavily in developing in-house customs and compliance systems, strengthening international supply relationships and expanding operational infrastructure. This approach gave Trentham Foods greater operational control, improved flexibility and strengthened its ability to maintain continuity of supply during a highly disruptive period for the industry.
Their entrepreneurial leadership was demonstrated again during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that stage, a significant proportion of the company’s business operated within foodservice, leaving it heavily exposed when restaurants and hospitality venues closed during lockdowns. Daren and Jacob made the calculated decision to rapidly expand into retail and manufacturing sectors to offset declining foodservice demand. This strategic shift protected the business during an unprecedented trading environment and accelerated long-term growth and diversification.
Daren and Jacob also recognised the importance of diversification early in the company’s journey. They expanded Trentham Foods into a multi-protein business covering beef, pork, lamb, game and cooked products while developing international sourcing partnerships across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This represented a major strategic transformation and created a stronger, more resilient organisation with multiple revenue streams and reduced reliance on any single market sector.
Innovation has remained central throughout this growth. As international supply chains became increasingly complex, Daren and Jacob invested in developing systems and processes covering logistics, purchasing, sales, customs and compliance management.
Alongside commercial success they have built a business culture centred around people, development, and long-term opportunity. Daren and Jacob have focused on recruiting locally and developing talent internally.
During periods of economic pressure, including the cost-of-living crisis, they introduced proactive salary increases and support measures because they recognised that long-term business success depends on investing in and supporting the people behind it.
Trentham Foods has entered the Business of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Jacob and Daren have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Lindsay Mitchell
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Lindsay Mitchell is the founder and driving force behind Stoke-on-Trent based Xpert Recruitment Solutions Ltd, which she has grown to have a £1.75 million annual turnover.
Her passion for recruitment began in 1997 when she started her career as an apprentice in Stoke-on-Trent. From the outset she recognised that recruitment is about far more than filling vacancies, it is about changing lives, creating opportunities and building lasting relationships.
This belief has remained at the heart of her approach throughout her career and has become the foundation of Xpert Recruitment Solutions.
Her business is built on entrepreneurial vision, resilience and a genuine commitment to helping people achieve their potential.
After working for large national recruitment agencies Lindsay identified a significant gap in the market. She saw that many recruitment providers focused on transactions rather than relationships and recognised an opportunity to create a business that genuinely understood clients and candidates.
Her vision was further shaped by personal experience, having been made redundant twice. Rather than allowing these setbacks to define her, Lindsay used them to strengthen her understanding of the challenges faced by jobseekers and to create a recruitment business built on empathy, support and trust.
Recognising that many individuals in Stoke-on-Trent had spent years working within the same industries and often lacked awareness of wider career opportunities, Lindsay developed a service that goes beyond recruitment. Xpert provides career advice, CV support, interview preparation and confidence-building, helping candidates navigate career changes and secure long-term employment. This commitment to supporting people has become a defining feature of the business and a key differentiator in the marketplace.
Under Lindsay’s leadership, Xpert has achieved consistent and sustainable growth. Turnover has increased to £1.75 million over the past four years, demonstrating the strength of the business model, long-standing client relationships and the company’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Growth has been driven by a partnership-led approach, positioning Xpert as a trusted extension of its clients’ businesses rather than a transactional supplier.
Over the next three years, Xpert Recruitment Solutions aims to exceed £2 million turnover, expand its workforce from seven to 10 employees, successfully establish its care division and continue investing in technology, training and customer experience.
Lindsay has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Richard Bower
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Richard Bower has helped transform a traditional Staffordshire family farm into one of the region’s most successful and innovative rural diversification businesses.
Through determination, creativity and a clear understanding of changing consumer markets, Richard has played a leading role in turning Lower Drayton Farm from a volatile agricultural enterprise into a thriving year-round destination business built around farming, education, tourism and hospitality.
Richard represents a new generation of farmers who are commercially minded, forward-thinking and passionate about reconnecting the public with agriculture.
Lower Drayton Farm has been in the Bower family for generations, operating as a beef and arable farm. Like many farming businesses, it faced increasing pressure from volatile commodity prices, rising costs and changing agricultural policy. Rather than accepting decline as inevitable, Richard saw opportunity.
After studying Agri-Food Marketing at Harper Adams University Richard, now aged 40, gained valuable commercial experience working within the flower industry, developing a strong understanding of branding, consumer trends, events and customer engagement. Instead of pursuing a corporate career away from farming, he chose to bring that knowledge back home to help secure the future of the family business.
That decision has transformed Lower Drayton Farm.
Richard recognised that modern consumers increasingly wanted authentic experiences, meaningful family time and stronger connections with food, farming and the countryside. He also saw an opportunity to create a more resilient business model through carefully planned diversification.
Working alongside his father, farmer Ray Bower, Richard helped launch PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm in 2020 — a family visitor attraction combining indoor and outdoor play with authentic farming experiences. The vision was never simply to create another play centre, but to build a destination that celebrated farming while creating sustainable income streams for the future.
Under his direction, the diversification business has expanded rapidly and now welcomes approximately 130,000 visitors annually, while complementing the farm’s traditional agricultural income. The wider business now employs around 70 staff, creating substantial local employment opportunities and supporting the rural economy.
Richard Bower has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Dereece Gardner
Entrepreneur of the Year nominee
Dereece Gardner opened Desire Cocktail Bar in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre in December 2023 with the aim of elevating the area’s drinking culture. Less than three years later he’s achieved national acclaim.
The former area manager for PureGym invested £100,000 to open the venue in Piccadilly, Hanley and has already won a string of awards.
Desire has been awarded gold and silver accolades in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards, was a finalist in the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards and Dereece has been invited to join the judging panel for the prestigious Bartenders Brand Awards 2026.
Desire has been featured in Class Bar Magazine, on BBC Radio and has entered into partnerships with the likes of Land Rover.
In 2025 he launched the Staffordshire Drinks Collective, an industry-led initiative designed to bring together hospitality professionals, producers, suppliers and enthusiasts from across the county to raise the profile of Staffordshire’s drinks and hospitality sector.
Dereece has been nominated for the University of Staffordshire Business Awards by members of the Desire Collective, a membership community he set up to reward loyal customers.
Desire Collective member Chelsea Cope said: “These achievements reflect not only commercial success but also a genuine commitment to strengthening the hospitality industry at both a local and regional level. Through innovation, collaboration and a passion for developing others, Dereece continues to make a lasting contribution to Staffordshire’s business community and the wider drinks sector.”
Dereece Gardner has been nominated in the Entrepreneur of the Year category and Desire Cocktail Bar has been nominated in the Innovation Award category.
Craig Wilkinson
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
In an economy where many hospitality businesses are struggling to survive, Craig Wilkinson has continued to grow, innovate and create jobs building a business portfolio that now spans hospitality, entertainment, events support and technology industries from Staffordshire to London.
Craig founded his first business in 2005 and has since built The Wilkinson Collective into a group of ventures that combine creative flair with commercial success.
His businesses include Coalition, which provides event staff for some of the world’s most renowned brands globally, from AMEX at the F1 to conferences for Google or Nvidia as well as NFL international tours.
Barlaston-based Lunar Restaurant has expanded to a seven-day operation, welcoming visitors to Staffordshire from all over the world. It recently picked up silver at the Staffordshire Tourism Awards for Restaurant of the Year. Alberts Cafe in Victoria Park in Stafford continues to go from strength to strength.
Funicular Productions continues to grow with more than 1,200 five-star reviews for its immersive theatrical dining experience in London.
Craig is also continuing the development of iZERO Technologies, an automated workforce management system, building it into a Software as a Service (SaaS) business. This summer will also see the launch of a new mobile app helping support businesses to streamline their workforce management through technology.
At the heart of building Craig’s business successes is his ability to combine creativity with commercial acumen, building engaging brands, operational processes, finding efficiencies and adapting quickly to challenges.
The economic challenges hospitality faces have seen a complete transformation of business operations at Lunar. Craig has ensured optimal efficiency, looking at opening and closing times, menu management, waste management as well as implementing technology and AI to assist with stock control and people management. Craig has incorporated more events to his venues including themed nights like Ibiza café-style evening dinners and full moon feasts as well as adding co-working spaces. Last year also saw Lunar host its first wedding.
Craig demonstrated resilience and creativity during the Covid pandemic by launching the Great British Drive in, a new concept at the time created in response to the huge challenges facing the hospitality industry. Rather than retreating during one of the toughest periods the sector had ever faced, Craig developed a new experience that helped keep customers engaged and businesses moving forward.
In 2020 Craig won the tender to operate the new cafe in Victoria Park in Stafford, creating Alberts. Under his leadership, the café has become a focal point for the local community, earning a reputation for fantastic food, strong customer service and a welcoming atmosphere. More than just a café, it has become a meeting place for local groups, book clubs and community events, helping bring people together in one of Stafford’s most popular public spaces.
While many hospitality businesses reduced activity following the pandemic and rising costs, Craig expanded. He diversified his businesses, created new income streams and continued investing in Staffordshire. His ventures support jobs, freelancers, suppliers and local spending, while helping showcase the region as a destination for hospitality and entertainment.
Elsewhere in the country, through Funicular Productions in London, he created a large-scale immersive entertainment experience that is now relocating. Its move to a bigger venue near London Bridge is taking the production to a whole new level. The move will significantly increase capacity and establish the attraction as one of the leading immersive experiences in London.
This year will see Coalition, which specialises in providing premier event staffing for more than 200 events every year for some of the world’s most renowned brands rebrand to Coalition Global. This demonstrates the scale of its operations, providing staff support to first class events in 26 countries from the UK to across Europe, America and the Middle East.
Alongside this, he has led the strategic development of iZERO, an in-house workforce management platform covering staffing, contracts and clocking-in systems. Originally designed to support his own businesses, Coalition, iZERO is now preparing to launch commercially for other companies, creating the potential for a Staffordshire-developed technology platform to scale both nationally and internationally.
Craig Wilkinson has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Kathryn Hall
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
The Career Owl was set up by HR professional Kathryn Hall in 2019 to help people build careers that work with their lives rather than against them.
Founded from a combination of extensive HR experience, coaching expertise and a genuine passion for people development, the business supports professionals who feel stuck, undervalued or uncertain about their next step.
Through a highly personalised and coaching-led approach, Tamworth-based Kathryn helps her clients gain clarity, confidence and direction so they can make career decisions with purpose.
Before launching The Career Owl she spent over 13 years working in HR across industries including logistics, manufacturing, fashion retail and technology. Earlier experience in retail management with Sainsbury’s developed her leadership, communication and people management skills.
Following the birth of her son Kathryn took a career break which gave her the opportunity to reflect on what had energised me most throughout my career. She decided she was at my best when helping people recognise their strengths, build confidence and progress in their careers. Friends, former colleagues and referrals increasingly approached her for support with CVs, LinkedIn profiles, interviews and career direction. What began as informal guidance quickly evolved into a business.
The Career Owl was built around the belief that career support should go beyond simply helping someone apply for jobs.
Kathryn said: “Many people come to me feeling successful on paper but deeply unfulfilled, while others are navigating redundancy, returning to work after a break or questioning whether the career they have built still fits the life they want now.
“I help clients understand themselves before making their next move, exploring their strengths, motivations, values and long-term goals so their decisions are intentional rather than reactive.
“What differentiates my business from many traditional CV writing or coaching services is the combination of strategic HR expertise and emotional insight. I understand recruitment and leadership from the inside, but I also recognise the confidence barriers and self-doubt that often prevent talented people from progressing.
“My approach blends practical support with honest, supportive coaching so clients leave not only with stronger applications, but with greater belief in themselves.”
Every client journey is tailored. Kathryn works closely with professionals at different career stages, including aspiring leaders, senior executives, career changers and those rebuilding confidence after setbacks. To complement her one-to-one coaching and career support she has developed accessible self-led resources for individuals who may not yet be ready for coaching or who want additional guidance between sessions. These include practical toolkits for early career professionals and those transitioning into leadership roles, alongside free resources designed to help people gain clarity and confidence.
Kathryn has focused heavily on building a supportive and accessible online presence. Through consistent, value-led content across social media she has achieved more than 120,000 impressions and more than 15,900 article views in the past 12 months. Since its launch in December 2023 her podcast, Your Path to Career Success, has achieved more than 3,000 downloads and reached listeners in 79 countries across six continents.
The business has continued to grow through reputation, referrals and meaningful results.
Kathryn added: “I have now supported almost 1,000 clients, with approximately 95% securing a new role within three to six months. These outcomes reflect far more than job applications; they represent people rebuilding confidence, stepping into leadership positions, changing direction with purpose and creating careers that better align with their lives and values.
“One of the achievements I am most proud of is creating a business that combines commercial success with genuine social impact. Career uncertainty can affect confidence, wellbeing and identity, yet many people feel they must navigate these challenges alone. Through The Career Owl, I aim to normalise career change, provide accessible guidance and create a supportive space where people feel heard, valued and empowered.
“As a solopreneur, I have intentionally built a business rooted in authenticity, trust and long-term relationships rather than volume or one-size-fits-all solutions. Many clients continue working with me beyond their original goals because the support evolves alongside their career journey.
“Whether someone is pursuing promotion, recovering from redundancy, changing career direction or stepping into leadership for the first time, my focus remains the same: helping people recognise their value and move forward with clarity and confidence.”
This month Kathryn will publish her first book, bringing together practical career frameworks, coaching insights and lessons from supporting hundreds of clients, alongside reflections from her own leadership career.
Kathryn has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered The Career Owl into the Small Business of the Year category.
Eleanor Young
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Eleanor Young has a first class law degree but turned her back on her legal career to pursue a dream of working with dogs.
She worked in wills and probate and then the civil service after graduating but, after being made redundant, decided to take the opportunity to start her own business.
The Pooch Pad, in Eccleshall, offers members only doggy day care and luxury boarding with home comforts including a flat screen TV, air conditioning, sofas and a ball pool.
Eleanor, now aged 28, has purposefully positioned The Pooch Pad at the luxury end of the market. She specifically caters for small dogs and has a waiting list of pet owners who are queueing up to become a member.
She said: “Entrepreneurship is often associated with disruption, innovation and taking calculated risks. My entrepreneurial journey began with one of the biggest risks of my life, leaving the security of a legal career at 26 years old to build a business from scratch in an industry I believed could offer more.
“I created The Pooch Pad after identifying an opportunity within the pet care market that I felt had been overlooked. While pet ownership had evolved significantly and owners increasingly viewed their dogs as family members, many day care environments had remained largely functional and volume driven. I believed there was space for something different.
“My vision was to create a premium, boutique experience dedicated specifically to small dogs, one that prioritised quality, trust and customer experience over scale.
“Launching the business required calculated risk taking. I moved away from a traditional professional career path to pursue a completely different industry, investing not only financially but personally into building something that reflected my own values and standards.
“The early stages required learning new disciplines quickly: operations, licensing, customer acquisition, marketing, finance, service design and brand building, whilst continuing to deliver day-to-day services personally.
“Rather than replicating existing models, I designed The Pooch Pad around a membership structure. This decision became one of the most important innovations within the business.
“The membership approach allowed attendance to remain intentionally controlled, creating carefully matched groups of dogs, stronger customer relationships and a more consistent experience. Instead of focusing on volume, the business was designed to maintain exclusivity and quality.
“This model challenged expectations of what dog day care could be. The result has been sustained demand, high levels of customer loyalty and waiting lists for memberships.
“What makes this growth particularly meaningful is that it has been achieved independently and intentionally. Every decision has been made with long-term sustainability in mind rather than rapid expansion.”
Eleanor Young has entered the Young Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered The Pooch Pad into the Start-up Business of the Year, Growth and Small Business of the Year categories.
Ellina Pollitt
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
What began as a solo project for Ellina Pollitt during her time as a student at University of Staffordshire has turned into a multi-award-winning, internationally-recognised jewellery brand.
Ellina, who co-designed the University’s mace, has had her designs featured in glossy, lifestyle magazines in the UK and overseas, including in Vogue.
Originally from Russia and now living in Biddulph, Ellina has exhibited nationally and internationally at prestigious events including Munich Jewellery Week, Goldsmiths Fair, Goldsmiths North, Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair in London, and New York Jewellery Week. She has represented both Staffordshire and University of Staffordshire on an international platform, showcasing innovative British design to audiences across Europe and the United States.
Her work has received significant industry recognition. She was awarded a Gold Award from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council for Laser Technologies and received the overall Alfa Laser Award. She was shortlisted as a finalist for Rising Star of the Year at the National Association of Jewellers Awards and received the Luminary Award in New York for wearable art.
Ellina blends traditional jewellery-making techniques with cutting-edge technologies such as fibre laser cutting and powder coating.
She joined University of Staffordshire in 2016 for a foundation year followed by a BA (Hons) in 3D Design (Jewellery) which she completed with First-Class Honours. She later returned to join the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, which supported the development of her business.
She is a strong advocate of the transformational power of education and says she owes much of her current success to the support she has received during her time at University of Staffordshire.
She said: “Alongside building my business, I have actively contributed to education and community engagement across Staffordshire. During the past year I have delivered jewellery workshops, creative sessions and educational talks for students and community groups, sharing both practical jewellery-making skills and entrepreneurial knowledge.
“Working with Stoke-on-Trent College and local arts organisations has allowed me to inspire future creatives while demonstrating how art, design and business can work together to create career opportunities.
“The growth of my business has also been supported through strategic collaborations with photographers, fashion creatives, galleries and international exhibition organisers.
“One of the achievements I am most proud of is establishing my own jewellery workshop after completing my studies. This has enabled me to continue developing collections, teaching workshops and creating new opportunities for business growth. Through determination and innovation, I have transformed a passion for jewellery design into a sustainable business with international reach.
“My journey has not been without challenges. As a mature student, single mother and entrepreneur, I have balanced education, family responsibilities and business development simultaneously. Building a creative business while completing two degrees required resilience, commitment and continuous learning.
“The support I received from mentors, lecturers and the wider University community played a significant role in helping me overcome obstacles and continue progressing professionally.
“University of Staffordshire has remained an important part of my journey, and I am proud to continue representing the institution through my achievements and business activities. My story demonstrates how education, creativity and entrepreneurship can create meaningful opportunities, not only for individual success but also for contributing to the wider creative economy.
“Looking ahead, my ambition is to continue expanding internationally, collaborate with fashion designers and luxury brands, develop educational opportunities for emerging creatives, and further establish Staffordshire as a region recognised for innovation and contemporary design.”
Ellina Pollitt has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year, Growth, Entrepreneur of the Year and Innovation categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Rachel and Mathew Dimbleby
Entrepreneur of the Year entrant
Less than two years after opening, ceramic café Kiln at Number 12 has won awards, attracted customers from around the world and expanded into the neighbouring unit at Longton Exchange.
In April of this year owners Rachel and Mathew Dimbleby, who are University of Staffordshire alumni, took over a second unit at the shopping centre to open a dedicated creative studio for Dimbleby Ceramics.
Both businesses are thriving and have become a tourist attraction for Stoke-on-Trent. Pottery making or painting with the Dimbleys has become a must do for overseas visitors to the region while people from other parts of the UK change their travel arrangements to plan in a visit.
Demand for pottery painting had more than doubled every weekend, with school holiday sessions booking out well in advance. To meet this sustained increase in footfall across both the café and workshop offerings and with revenue rising by at least a third month on month, expansion became essential.
Kiln at Number 12 is now firmly embedded in the local community with a loyal customer base, many of whom are greeted by name and with their preferred drink. The café has become known for its high quality coffee, cakes, food and drinks and has even welcomed well known faces, including Keith Brymer Jones during filming for The Great Pottery Throw Down alongside other cast and crew.
Despite its rapid growth, Kiln at Number 12 has retained its warm, relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Its sister space, Dimbleby Ceramics, offers a lighter aesthetic with a Scandinavian / Japanese influence. Both interiors were thoughtfully designed by Rachel and Mathew, drawing inspiration from the Heritage Colours of Longton created by local CIC Urban Wilderness. The couple personally carried out the shop fits, supported by friends and family.
Dimbleby Ceramics has also become an international draw. Master Potter Mathew’s throwing on the potter’s wheel workshops have attracted visitors from across the globe. Recent guests include a group of 15 tourists from Switzerland for a studio tour and demonstration, as well as visitors from across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Washington DC, Los Angeles, China, London and numerous UK towns and cities.
The expanded studio now accommodates larger parties and corporate groups, with recent bookings from Woolcool, Bet365, Stoke City FC youth team and the NHS.
Mathew said: “As AI takes a firmer foothold in everyday life, the need for an honest space where genuine hands on creativity and face to face social interaction can flourish is becoming increasingly important.
“Wellbeing and mindfulness must remain a priority and Dimbleby Ceramics is uniquely positioned to meet this need, with the knowledge, skills and authenticity required to support meaningful creative experiences.”
To build on this momentum, Rachel, drawing on her 28 years of experience as an art and design teacher, is broadening the workshop programme to include painting and printmaking, complementing the core ceramics offering and further enhancing the creative potential of the space.
When Kiln at Number 12 first opened the business employed just one part time staff member alongside Rachel and Mathew. As demand grew, so did the team. With two shops now operating, the business employs seven part time staff, each fully invested in the company’s ethos. Team members receive training in pottery painting processes, barista skills and general café operations. Customer reviews consistently highlight the team’s warmth, attentiveness and expertise.
Kiln at Number 12 and Dimbleby Ceramics have entered the High Street Impact and Growth categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Mathew and Rachel have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories.