The Legacy of Leadership Award 2026 on film
The Legacy of Leadership Award 2026-27
Someone deserves to be recognised. It could be you.
Behind every achievement is a story of courage, determination and people making a difference. The Legacy of Leadership Award celebrates those stories and the remarkable people behind them.
Whether you're recognising someone who inspires you, celebrating your own journey or supporting somebody special, there's a place for you here.
Counting Down to Award Day
Unique Themes
Unforgettable Day
Free to Nominate
Find My Award
Find the award that fits your story
Six quick questions. It takes about a minute.
Question 1 of 6. Who would you like to recognise?
There is no wrong answer here, and you can change it later.
- Who
- About
- Sector
- Stage
- Strengths
- Looking for
No account, no email and no payment to see your results.
Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in you
Most of the people who deserve recognition never ask for it. They get on with the work, look after the people around them and rarely stop to notice how far they have come.
Hard work, seen
Recognition says out loud what the people around someone already know: the effort was noticed, and it mattered.
A moment to celebrate
Most achievements pass without a pause. A nomination is a reason to stop, look back and celebrate how far someone has come.
Confidence to keep going
Being told your work stands out can be the encouragement that carries you into the next chapter.
A story that inspires others
When one person is recognised, others see what is possible, and the people who helped along the way share the moment too.
You know someone who deserves this
Choose who you have in mind and we will start you in the right place. Not sure which award is right? We will help you find it.
Not sure which award is right for you? We'll help you find it.
Help me find the right awardFrom a nomination to the day itself
Every stage below is a moment of recognition in its own right. Here is what each one means, what happens next and how you will hear about it.
- 1
Nomination
Someone has put you forward, or you have entered yourself.
- What happens next
- We let the nominee know, and ask them to confirm their nomination.
- Anything to do?
- Confirm your nomination, then add your story, a photo or a short video if you would like to.
- How you will hear
- By email, with a link to your own nominee page.
- 2
Eligibility review
We check each confirmed entry fits the award it is in.
- What happens next
- Entries that fit move on to the shortlist stage.
- Anything to do?
- None, unless we ask you for a detail.
- How you will hear
- By email, only if we need something from you.
- 3
Shortlist
Your entry has been chosen from the entries in its award.
- What happens next
- The shortlist is published on this website.
- Anything to do?
- None. You are welcome to share the news.
- How you will hear
- By email, and on the Shortlist page.
- 4
Semi-finalist
Your entry has gone through to the next round.
- What happens next
- The finalists are chosen from the semi-finalists.
- Anything to do?
- None.
- How you will hear
- By email, and on the Semi-Finalists page.
- 5
Finalist
You are one of the final entries in your award, and invited to the awards day.
- What happens next
- The winners are announced on the day: Thursday, 26 November 2026 at National Conference Centre.
- Anything to do?
- None is required. Coming along on the day is your choice.
- How you will hear
- By email, and on the Finalists page.
- 6
Winner
Your award is announced in the room, with the people who helped you get there.
- What happens next
- Your recognition is yours to share and celebrate.
- Anything to do?
- None.
- How you will hear
- On the awards day itself.
Reaching one stage is never a promise of the next. Every stage is a recognition worth celebrating.
The people this season is about
Real nominees and finalists, in their own words and on film.
The Finalists
Meet the finalists of the The Legacy of Leadership Award
Abdul Kadir
Visionary Leadership Award
Akash Waghmare
Editor of the Year Award
Alex Price
Director of the Year Award
Amanda Henderson
Women-Led HR Consultancy of the Year
Amogh Jain
Founder of the Year in Automotive
Aneesah Masood
Iconic Content Creator (Instagram)
Antionett Beck-Doss
CEO of the Year Award
Ashwin Smith
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Ayoola Orimoloye
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Bhavya Jain
B2B Thought Leader of the Year Award
Bidhan Vhadra
Creative Professional of the Year Award
Candice Hammerton
Iconic Content Creator (Instagram)
Carrie Pearson
Business Woman of the Year
Chanel Morrison-Jolley
Ethical Leadership Excellence Award
Charanjit Mannu
Training Provider of the Year Award
Charlotte Hurst
Founder of the Year in Healthcare
Chris Wilkins
Managing Director of the Year in Media & PR
Claire Boyle
Administration Team of the Year Award
Danielle Baynes
Founder of the Year Award
Daren Ward
Founder of the Year Award
David Outram
Engineering Director of the Year Award
Demetrius Newton
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Diane Tippett
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Dr Hiren Vyas
Outstanding Leadership Award
Dr Waheed Oseni
Director of the Year Award
Erin Brown
Women in Creative Industry Leadership Award
Estelle van Warmelo
Creative Director of the Year Award
Felix Peter-thomas
Business Development Director of the Year Award
Georgia Harris
Consultant of the Year Award
Gina Cirino
Business of the Year Award
Glyn Costigan
Business Innovator of the Year Award
Hanecel Jepelos
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Hasan Tariq
Advertising Firm of the Year Award
Hayden Ellis-Reiger
Manager of the Year Award
Jack Edwards
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Janet Assibi Sawalbil
Non-Profit Leader of the Year Award
Jaspreet Singh
Founder of the Year in Manufacturing
Jay Singh
Director of the Year Award
Jinal Shah
Mentor of the Year Award
Joel Nathan
Excellence in Healthcare Award
John Heaney
Creative Professional of the Year Award
Jon Silvester
Business Innovator of the Year Award
Jonathan Day
Director of the Year Award
Jonny Kitt
Managing Director of the Year in Construction
Joshua Clare-Flagg
Consultant of the Year Award
Judith Snaith
Women-Led Small Business of the Year
Juggy Kudhail
CEO of the Year Award
Karen Mills
Business Woman of the Year
Kashif Imran Abbasi
Corporate Business Leader of the Year Award
Kay Martin
Women HR Manager / HR Professional of the Year
kevin mcdonagh
President of the Year Award
Kristine Bileskalne
Customer Service Excellence Award
Lameess Habiballah
Visionary Leadership Award
Laura Hadland
Iconic Blogger / Writer Influencer
Laura Windridge
Small Business of the Year Award
Leigh Smyth
B2B Thought Leader of the Year Award
Leon Reynolds
Business Owner of the Year in Technology
Lindsay Booth
CEO of the Year Award
Lucy Hardcastle
Customer Service Team of the Year Award
Luke Jones
Rising Star Leadership Award
Maddison Leigh
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Mahek Haque
Outstanding Achievement Award
Mahtab Doorbash
CEO of the Year Award
Manish Jain
Ethical Leadership Excellence Award
Melanie Akas
Outstanding Leadership Award
Melanie Zamir
COO of the Year
Mitzi Danielson-Kaslik
Founder of the Year Award
Moe Nabavi
Digital Marketing Director of the Year Award
Muhammad Zubair
Managing Director of the Year Award
Muhammad Rafay Ikram
B2B Thought Leader of the Year Award
Munesuishe Majecha
Manager of the Year Award
Nadhir Mezouar
Business Innovator of the Year Award
Nataliia Korol
Business of the Year Award
Nathaniel Dadeowo
Community Impact Award
Noor Aziz
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Nordia Philpott
Consultant of the Year Award
Olusola Ige
CEO of the Year Award
Oluwafunmilola Idowu
Founder of the Year Award
Oscar Mahtani
Founder of the Year Award
Parmeshwar Bawa
Editor of the Year Award
Paul Kerslake
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Pete Morris
Finance Leader of the Year Award
Peter Burnett
Iconic Videography Influencer of the Year
Phil Robinson
Construction Firm of the Year Award
Pushpinder Kumar
Director of the Year Award
Raj Verma
HR Leader of the Year Award
Rajaul Khan
CEO of the Year Award
Rajdeep Singh Chauhan
Aspiring Leader Recognition Award
Richard Hayhow
Consultant of the Year Award
Richard Hiscox
Outstanding Achievement Award
Rizwan Khan
Micro Business Owner of the Year Award
Rob Spence
Sales Leader of the Year Award
Robert Boland
Finance Leader of the Year Award
Roxana Pupaza
Consultant of the Year Award
Roy Rowland
Construction Firm of the Year Award
Sarah Alridge
Women Professional Excellence Award
Sarah Scouller
Women in PR Rising Star Award
Simon Marques Dighton
Innovation in Leadership Award
Sj Smallpage
Director of the Year in Healthcare
Sophie Baugh
Business Owner of the Year
Swaroop Gothi
Finance Leader of the Year Award
Sylwia Juranek
Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Taylor James
Founder of the Year Award
Tiago Pinto
Manager of the Year Award
Usman Abbas
Customer Service Excellence Award
USP Steels Ltd
B2B Thought Leader of the Year Award
Vaibhav Palhade
Founder of the Year Award
VERONIKA JANOSCIKOVA
Ethical Leadership Excellence Award
Vicki Shuttleworth
Mentor of the Year Award
Victoria Laubertova
Agency Excellence Awards
Wasi Ali
Customer Service Excellence Award
Will Harris
Director of the Year Award
Will Morris
Founder of the Year in Retail
Xidus Pain
Mentor of the Year Award
Yuma Motose
B2B Thought Leader of the Year Award
The recognition is special. The people you meet could be just as memorable.
A day of celebration and community: sharing the moment with finalists, their families and colleagues, meeting people from every sector and hearing the stories behind every award.
There is a place for you here
Whether you are recognising someone, cheering them on or helping the day happen, here is how to be part of it.
Nominate
Tell us about someone whose hard work deserves to be seen. It is free.
Nominations for the next season open soon.
Attend
Come and celebrate the people who make a difference, and be part of their moment.
About the DayBecome a Judge
Bring your experience to recognising achievement in your field.
Judge applications are not open at the moment.
Sponsor
Support recognition and meet the people taking part. Sponsors never decide results.
Explore Sponsorship
Everything you need to know
Still curious? The essentials are below, entering is simpler than you might think.
People, teams, businesses and organisations based in or serving Birmingham. Each award says exactly who it is open to, so it is worth a look at the award before you nominate.
Yes. Putting yourself forward is welcome, and it is a perfectly good way to share your story. Choose Myself in Find My Award, or start a nomination for yourself.
Yes. Nominating, entering and confirming a nomination are free, in as many awards as fit.
Every nominee is told about their nomination and asked to confirm it. Confirmed entries are checked to make sure they fit the award they are in, and then considered for the shortlist. You will hear from us by email at each stage.
No. You never need a ticket to be nominated, to confirm a nomination or to move through any stage. Tickets are simply for anyone who would like to be in the room on the day.
No. Sponsors support the awards, and they have no say in who is shortlisted or who wins.
The The Legacy of Leadership Award awards day is Thursday, 26 November 2026 at National Conference Centre.
Someone's hard work deserves to be seen. You could be the reason it is.
Know someone who quietly goes above and beyond? Tell us their story. A nomination could be a wonderful way to let them know their efforts haven't gone unnoticed.
Free to enter. Takes 10 minutes. No payment, ever.