Sir Kevin Sinfield, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, England footballer Ella Toone and former rugby league coach Shaun Wane are among the famous faces included in Northern Leaders 2026.
Now in its third year, Northern Leaders recognises inspirational individuals from the worlds of business, sport, politics, charity, education, philanthropy, property and beyond.
The headline sponsor of Northern Leaders 2026 is OBI, supported by law firm CG Professional, GM Business Growth Hub and Rochdale Development Agency.
Everyone featured on the list will be invited to the Northern Leaders 2026 awards evening at KPMG’s Manchester office on November 19.
This year’s list features 93 new entries, reflecting BusinessCloud’s commitment to recognising fresh faces and unsung heroes alongside some of the North’s best-known figures.
Although the list comprises 200 entries, eight feature two people, bringing the total number of individuals recognised to 208, including 85 women.
Among the famous faces recognised in Northern Leaders 2026 are:
1. Ella Toone
Best known for her exploits on the pitch for Manchester United and England, Ella Toone’s impact extends well beyond football. She founded the ET7 Academy to create more opportunities for the next generation of female footballers. She is also an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK following the death of her father.
2. Michael Carrick
As well as managing Manchester United, Michael Carrick founded the Michael Carrick Foundation in 2017 to create opportunities for children and young people to achieve their full potential.
3. Sara Davies MBE
Best known for her appearances on Dragons’ Den, Sara Davies is a passionate advocate for the North East. Earlier this year, she joined a delegation of the region’s founders on a visit to 11 Downing Street to meet the then Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
4. Gethin Jones
Gethin Jones is a presenter of the Manchester-based BBC programme Morning Live and has supported a number of charities, including Seashell Trust.
5. Shaun Wane
Former Wigan Warriors player and coach Shaun Wane is now a sought-after keynote speaker and business consultant. He has spoken candidly about his difficult childhood and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership.
The 2026 Northern Leaders were selected following a rigorous judging process, during which all vested interests were declared.
Last year, Lindsey Burrow, wife of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, received the Northern Leaders Overall Award in recognition of her fundraising and work raising awareness of motor neurone disease (MND).