Lindsey Burrow, Collette Roche, Steve Morgan, Michael Ingall, Frank Rothwell and Figen Murray were among the big winners on a glorious night at the 2025 Northern Leaders awards.
Now in their second year, Northern Leaders celebrate the leaders who make the North a better place and were inspired by the late, great Sir Howard Bernstein.
More than 130 people from across the North packed into KPMG’s Manchester office for a glorious celebration of the best of the North.
There were plenty of tears in the room as a video was played at the end of evening of Lindsey Burrow collecting the Northern Leaders Overall Award.
Her husband, rugby legend Rob Burrow, died in 2024 after a brave battle against motor neurone disease (MND).
Chris Maguire of BusinessCloud, right, and Chris Stott of KPMG at 2025 Northern Leaders
Earlier in the day she and her three children had joined the Prince of Wales at the official opening of a specialist centre for motor neurone disease (MND) in Leeds named in her late husband’s memory.
Lindsey Burrow, who works as an NHS physiotherapist, is a published author and has helped raised millions of pounds for charity.
She was presented with her award by BusinessCloud’s executive editor Chris Maguire at the home of Leeds Rhinos.
The headline sponsor of Northern Leaders was OBI and the other sponsors were CG, Rochdale Development Agency, GM Business Growth Hub, Lockton and J.P. Morgan Private Bank.
There were a total of 16 award categories with several regional winners.
Outstanding Achievement Award: Phil Jones MBE, MD, Brother UK
Phil Jones
The judges said: “Sometimes the Outstanding Achievement Award can be given to people at the end of their career … but that’s not the case here. Phil Jones started as a fax salesperson at Brother UK in 1994, rising up the ranks to be appointed managing director in 2013. After nearly 32 years at Brother, he remains as energetic as ever.”
Voice for Good Award: Dr Sally Penni
Sally Penni
The judges said: “Sally Penni is a high-profile barrister, public speaker, patron, board member and diversity leader. She’s passionate about educating young people and using her profile for good.”
North West Growth Champion: Emma Morris, executive editor, BBC Studios
Emma Morris interviewed by Chris Maguire
The judges said: “Emma is the BBC’s secret weapon. She uses her role at the BBC to champion the North West and the wider North as well as mentioning her home town of Burnley wherever she gets the chance.”
North East Growth Champion: Paul Blake, owner, Newcastle Eagles Basketball
Paul Blake
The judges said: “Paul Blake is the owner and managing director of Newcastle Eagles Basketball Club, who play in the top tier of basketball in this country. Paul is a passionate advocate for the North East and supporting women’s sport.”
Yorkshire & Humberside Growth Champion: Stuart Clarke MBE, founder, Leeds Digital
Stuart Clarke
The judges said: “Clarke has just stepped down as the director of Leeds Digital Festival after 10 years but remains a hugely influential name in the world of tech, especially his beloved Yorkshire. He’s also the founder of UK Tech Week.”
Community Award: Frank Rothwell OBE, chairman, Oldham Athletic AFC
The judges said: “Frank is the owner of Oldham Athletic AFC and charity fundraiser. He saved Oldham from extinction in 2022 and helped them get promoted back into the football league just three years later. He’s also the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean twice – the second time at the tender age of 73. He raised £1.4m for Alzheimer’s Research. He now holds four Guinness world records for his ocean rowing exploits.”
Property Award: Michael Ingall, chairman/CEO, Allied London
Michael Ingall with Will Lewis
The judges said: “After bringing Spinningfields to Manchester, Mike Ingall has done it again with the £1bn St John’s development, which has transformed Manchester.”
Sustainability Champion: Dr Henrietta Boyd, CEO & co-founder, Halocycle
Henrietta Boyd
The judges said: “Halocycle is a Hull-based technology scaleup that is pioneering new technology to recycle PVC plastic waste. Dr Boyd co-founded Halocycle in January 2020.”
People Award: Collette Roche, COO, Manchester United FC
The judges said: “Collette Roche has been the chief operating officer at Manchester United since 2018 and was appointed chair of Manchester United Foundation in 2023.
Collette Roche, Manchester United FC
She’s previously been a non-executive director of JW Lees Brewery and managing director of Manchester Airport – forging a reputation in all those roles as people person. She was a unanimous choice of the judges.”
Charity Award: Steph Capewell, CEO, Love, Amelia
Steph Capewell
The judges said: “Steph Capewell is the founder and CEO of Love, Amelia, a children’s charity named in memory of her daughter who died 12 minutes after she was born. It offers support to families experiencing poverty and hardship across Tyne & Wear and County Durham.”
North West Rising Star Award: Michelle & James Laithwaite, co-founders, FuelHub
Michelle and James Laithwaite, FuelHub
The judges said: “Husband-and-wife team Michelle and Jame Laithwaite founded online meal prep business FuelHub six years ago and have already won some of the biggest names in sport as clients. The Warrington-based business has also announced a partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.”
North East Rising Star Award: Mads Howard MBE, senior manager, CEO Office Operations, Sage
Mads Howard
The judges said: “Mads is a passionate advocate for inclusivity, working tirelessly to inspire young women to pursue careers in cybersecurity.”
International Award: Nadine Merabi, founder, Nadine Merabi International
North East True Grit Award: Nicola Wood, chief executive, The Wonderful Wig Company
Nicola Wood
The judges said: “Nicola Wood was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36 and experienced the impact of hair loss. Now she’s on a mission to become the best hair-loss service in the UK and has helped more than 20,000 other women regain their confidence after losing their hair to cancer treatment.”
Yorkshire & Humberside True Grit Award: Jane Dawson, founder, Ella Dawson Foundation
Jane Dawson, Ella Dawson Foundation
The judges said: “Jane Dawon founded the Ella Dawson Foundation after her daughter Ella died aged from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 24. The Foundation is a registered charity providing psychological, emotional, physical, nutritional, and well-being support to young adults aged 18-30 years old at any stage of a cancer diagnosis.”
North West True Grit Award: Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff
The judges said: “Freddie is the head coach of England Lions, who are currently touring Australia, but the courage he’s shown after his horror crash while filming Top Gear and the success of his Field of Dreams TV show has been sensational.”
North East Change Award: Ross Linnett, CEO, Recite Me
Ross Linnett, CEO, Recite Me
The judges said: “Recite Me is a North East-based accessibility technology company founded by Ross Linnett, who was inspired by his lived experience with dyslexia. Today, Recite Me supports over seven million users globally and has reached over £7m in revenue.”
North West Change Award: Figen Murray, mother of Manchester Arena victim Martyn Hett, who inspired Martyn’s Law
Figen Murray
The judges said: “She inspired Martyn’s Law after her son Martyn was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing. She suffered unimaginable loss but resolved to try and prevent other people suffering the same loss. That’s real change.”
Tech Award: Christine Bellamy, UK Government Chief Product Officer
Christine Bellamy
The judges said: “Christine Bellamy is Northern to her roots. She’s the Government Chief Product Officer. She was previously the CEO of the Government Digital Service (GDS). Before joining the Civil Service in 2022, Bellamy held a number of senior roles at the BBC.”
Judges’ Award: Russell Teale, CEO, Vivify
Russell Teale, Vivify
The judges said: “Judges’ Award is given to the person who the judges felt had gone the extra mile to deliver tangible change. Vivify is a Manchester tech startup that helps schools hire out facilities outside teaching hours. Vivify now employs more than 500 people and has generated more than £10m in additional revenue for schools.”
Philanthropy Award: Steve Morgan CBE, Steve Morgan Foundation / Bridgemere
The judges said: “The Philanthropy Award is a new award. The criteria for this award is people who put their money where their mouth is to promote the welfare of others. Steve Morgan is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Steve Morgan
“The Redrow founder launched the Steve Morgan Foundation in 2001 and has donated over £300m to improve the quality of life for more than four million people. The new £4m Maggie’s Centre has opened in North Wales after being funded, designed and commissioned by the Foundation. And he hasn’t stopped here. Earlier this year the Steve Morgan Foundation pledged to invest £100 million over the next five years to tackle social disadvantage and fund internationally ground-breaking research into Type 1 Diabetes.”
Overall Award: Lindsey Burrow