Northern Leaders shines a light on the leaders who have made – and continue to make – the biggest positive difference to the North.
It was inspired by the late, great former chief executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, who is widely recognised as being the catalyst for the regeneration of Manchester.
The third annual edition of the Northern Leaders Awards, held at the office of KPMG in Manchester City Centre, will celebrate those who make the 2026 list (published in October).
The invite-only dinner – hosted by BusinessCloud executive editor Chris Maguire – will crown around 20 winners based around the North across 15 categories.
In 2025 the Northern Leaders Overall Award was presented to Lindsey Burrow, wife of rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE. Rob died in 2024 after a brave battle against motor neurone disease, and Lindsey has helped raise millions for charity.
The 2024 Overall Award was won by former England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton MBE, whose husband Stephen Darby suffers from MND. She has also raised millions, for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.