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Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2024

Recognising and celebrating the UK’s brightest entrepreneurial talent, in partnership with The Spectator

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We partnered with The Spectator again in 2024 to deliver the seventh edition of The Economic Innovator of the Year awards. 
The logo of the Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards

The awards seek out the most ingenious and promising entrepreneur-founded businesses from every sector and region of the UK.

The winners receive recognition amongst their peers, as well as coverage in The Spectator print and digital magazine. 

Find out more about the 2024 awards, including the winners and finalists below. 

2024 winners

Domin collect their award for overall winners of the 2024 Innovator of the Year Award

Overall Winner - Innovator of the Year

Domin
Excellence in Sustainability
One to Watch
London & South East
Breakthrough: Novai
Scale Up: Code First Girls

Midlands
Breakthrough: UB Infrastructure Ltd
Scale Up: Moasure

North East
Breakthrough: Rezon Ltd
Scale Up: AES Engineering Ltd
 
North West & North Wales
Breakthrough: Audiebant Ltd
Scale Up: Map of Agriculture Group Ltd

Scotland & Northern Ireland
Breakthrough: BIOCAPTIVA Ltd 
Scale Up: Artemis Technologies

South West & South Wales
Breakthrough: Domin
Scale Up: ANNA Money

What awards are given?

The Economic Innovator of the Year is chosen from a Scale-up winner (revenue over £3m) and a Breakthrough winner (revenue under £3m) in each of the six regions. There is also an award for Excellence in Sustainability, and in 2024 we launched a new One to Watch award to recognise a smaller or newer business that’s making waves. 

Hear about the finalists

Listen in to our Head of Private Office, Michelle White as she unearths the fascinating finalists for 2024, in conversation with some of the UK’s leading investors and innovators. Find out more about each of the 2024 finalists below. 

 

Innovators in the Business Services and Logistics category

In this episode, the judges discuss the companies that help other innovators and companies operate day to day. The judges in this episode are:

  • Mechanical engineer and venture capitalist Adrian de Ferranti
  • Caroline Theobald CBE, managing director of Bridge Club Ltd which helps connect entrepreneurs with investors, expertise and skills
  • Michelle White, Head of Private Office for Rathbones
  • Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator‘s business editor.

 

Innovators in the Consumer Goods and Services category

In this episode, the judges discuss suppliers ranging from wonky fruits to producers of supplements for pets. The judges in this episode are:

  • Merryn Somerset Webb, senior columnist at Bloomberg and the founder of MoneyWeek
  • Entrepreneur and investor Gordon Black, whose company Peter Black Holdings was a major supplier of the UK’s leading retailers
  • Michelle White, Head of Private Office for Rathbones
  • Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator‘s business editor.

 

Innovators in the Environment and Social Purpose category

In this episode, the judges introduce those start-ups rethinking and finessing the battle against climate change, from vertical farming to carbon capture technology; as well as those working for a greater social purpose, such as getting more women into tech. The judges in this episode are:

  • Eva-Maria Dimitriadis, CEO of the Conduit Connect, which backs exceptional founders whose businesses generate positive change
  • Clive Bawden, director of Governance360 and a previous winner of the Innovator Awards
  • Michelle White, Head of Private Office for Rathbones
  • Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator‘s business editor.

 

Innovators in the Healthcare category

In this episode, the judges introduce the cutting-edge healthcare companies who are amongst the finalists and compare and contrast what they do with the latest biotech, AI, and how well they fare when trying to introduce innovation into the NHS. The judges in this episode are:

  • Jonny Ohlson, founder and chairman of biotech firm Touchlight
  • Nicholas Hardie, entrepreneur and non-executive director on the board of Moorfields Eye Hospital
  • Michelle White, Head of Private Office for Rathbones
  • Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator‘s business editor.

 

Innovators in the Manufacturing and Engineering category

In this episode, the judges discuss the innovative companies building 3D printing hydraulic systems, making plastic alternatives out of plant-based polymers, creating recyclable electronics, and more. The judges in this episode are:

  • Ian Ritchie, an angel investor and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
  • Gabriel Fysh, an entrepreneur working with numerous companies in areas of sustainability and material science
  • Michelle White, Head of Private Office for Rathbones
  • Martin Vander Weyer, The Spectator‘s business editor.
How are the winners chosen?
1. Nominations collected

Submit a nomination on The Spectator's website by 2 July, telling us why your business, or one you admire, deserves to be recognised for innovation. Before you do, we recommend reading about what makes a great submission

2. Finalists chosen

The judging panel, consisting of experts from The Spectator, Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) and industry, will analyse all entries and handpick the list of finalists - jump to this year's

3. Judging lunches

All finalists attend in-person lunches in each region, where they'll have a chance to bring their business' story to life in conversation with the judges. 

4. Voting

The judging panel will cast their votes in each category, each lending their unique perspectives to the process. Judging is based on financials, growth potential, uniqueness, purpose, people and sustainability. 

5. Awards dinner

All finalists are invited to attend the awards gala dinner on 7 November in London, where the winners are announced!

Who can nominate and who's eligible?

Nominations usually open in the Autumn each year. You can nominate a business you work for or a business you know of. 

Businesses must be headquartered in the UK and revenue positive, but you can nominate a business of any size (bear in mind that the awards are split for businesses with revenue less than £3m and those with revenue above £3m). 

The awards are free to enter, and the process gives all entrants the opportunity to meet like-minded people and make connections that may help to further their business. 

Learn more about the awards in this video from Michelle White, Head of Rathbones’ Private Office, and Martin Vander Weyer, Business Editor of The Spectator, and hear from previous award winners about why they applied. 

Nominations usually open in the Autumn each year. You can nominate a business you work for or a business you know of. 

Businesses must be headquartered in the UK and revenue positive, but you can nominate a business of any size (bear in mind that the awards are split for businesses with revenue less than £3m and those with revenue above £3m). 

The awards are free to enter, and the process gives all entrants the opportunity to meet like-minded people and make connections that may help to further their business. 

Learn more about the awards in this video from Michelle White, Head of Rathbones’ Private Office, and Martin Vander Weyer, Business Editor of The Spectator, and hear from previous award winners about why they applied. 

Nominations will re-open in 2025

2024's winners have been announced but you can still find out more about the awards on The Spectator's website. 

FAQs

Although nominations have closed for 2024, we've included some answers to popular questions below. 

  • What kind of business can I nominate?

    As long as they're headquartered in the UK, you can nominate any business of any size. Nominations have closed for 2024, but prepare your 2025 submission by reading our guide about what the judges are looking for.

  • Is there a time commitment for nominees?

    After being chosen by a panel of judges, finalists will need to attend an in-person lunch with the judging panel. And then if you're lucky enough to be a winner, we'd hope you can attend the black tie awards dinner on 7 November 2024 in London at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel

  • When are the winners announced?

    Award winners are announced at a black tie awards dinner on 7 November 2024 in London at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel

  • What do winners receive?

    Apart from receiving recognition amongst their peers, award-winning businesses will receive coverage in The Spectator print and digital magazine and access to corporate networks and advice. 

  • Got any tips for submitting a great nomination next year?

    The judges are independent, so we'll never know exactly what sways their vote, but we did speak to one of them, Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)'s Marc Wright about what makes a nomination leap off the page.

    Read our Q&A with Marc before starting your nomination

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Michelle White
Michelle White, Head of Private Office

We’re proud to be joining forces with The Spectator for the third year to celebrate creative UK entrepreneurship.

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