‘Pride’, ‘honour’, ‘blown away’, ‘inspiring’, ‘real boost’, and ‘made our day’.
These are a selection of the words used by some of the 200 people featured BusinessCloud’s inaugural Northern Leaders list.
Published yesterday, the list is made up of the people the judges believe have made – and continue to make – the biggest positive difference to the North.
The story caused record website traffic and sparked a huge reaction on social media.
In January 2025 a celebratory dinner and awards evening will be taking place at KPMG’s Manchester office for many of the people on the list. More details about the dinner will follow.
The headline sponsor for Northern Leaders is OBI and it is joined by partners KPMG, Co-op Live, CG, GM Business Growth Hub and Rochdale Development Agency.
Here’s how some people responded to be being included in the Northern Leaders list:
Collette Roche, chief operating officer, Manchester United FC, said: “It’s a great honour to be listed alongside so many talented people.”
Sarah Pawson, CEO/co-founder, Fruition, said: “What an amazing bunch of people to be recognised alongside. Very honoured. Showed my children earlier who did cartwheels to celebrate.”
Steve Connor, founder/director, Creative Concern, said: “Deeply honoured to be in such illustrious and frankly quite groovy company.”
Phil Adams, head of global technology group & co-head UK and Europe corporate finance, Houlihan Lokey, said: “Huge honour to be included in such illustrious company.”
Stephen Church, managing partner, EY, said: “Didn’t see this coming. What a lovely surprise. Honoured to be in the mix with such amazing people who do so much across the North.”
Vanda Murray OBE, chair & non-exec director, said: “Honoured to be listed alongside the best in the North.”
Paul Cornoran, CEO & founder, Agent, said: “Thank you to the judges for including me in their Northern Leaders 2024 list.”
Marnie Millard OBE, chair, University Academy 92; business chair/NED, said: “Thank you for including me BusinessCloud. Really appreciate the recognition.”
Phil Mayall, managing director, Muse, said: “As always I’m standing on the shoulders of all at Muse.”
Sophie Milliken MBE, CEO, Moja, said: “That’s some list! Proud to be (one of many) repping the mighty North East. Thanks for including me.”
Clare Roberts, founder and CEO at Kids Planet, said: “What an honour to be included in this list with such a group of amazing individuals. Congratulations to everyone else included. The real thanks goes to everyone at Kids Planet Day Nurseries who do all the hard work each day.”
Kelly Whitfield, founder and CEO, KLIK UK, said: “Wow. Completely blown away by this and to be listed amongst such phenomenal talent too. A very unexpected but delightful surprise. My heartfelt congratulations to all my fellow #NorthernLeaders too.”
Beth Houghton, Palatine PE Impact Fund, said: “What a lovely surprise to be included in this list. Thank you and congratulations to everyone else included.”
Marion Bernard, chief investment officer, Northern Gritstone, said: “Wow! Thank you for this humbling recognition. Am so proud to work at Northern Gritstone to support university spin outs / science and tech companies across the North.”
Alison Dunn, CEO, Citizens Advice Gateshead & executive director of Society Matters CIC, said: “A privilege to see my name amongst these great Northern leaders. Thank you for acknowledging my work in this way. It’s provides a real boost.”
Luke Georghiou, deputy president and deputy vice chancellor at University of Manchester, said: “Very flattered to be included in such distinguished company. Amazing talent driving the North forward.”
Liz Ashall-Payne, CEO/founder, ORCHA, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a list that represents the best of the North.”
Chris Bird, founder, Bird Consultancy / CEO, Raheem Sterling Foundation, said: “Thank you to those who felt I am worthy of being on such an amazing list. It beats being on the transfer one.”
Graham Donoghue, CEO, Forge Holiday Group, said: “I had no idea all these legends are Northern.”
Andrew Graham MBE, CEO, Graham & Brown, said: “Proud to be included in such fine company. Graham & Brown has since 1946, been proud to create and make wonderful wallpaper and interiors products from our home in Blackburn. It’s our colleagues passion that makes it such a great business.”
Daniel Gidney, CEO, Lancashire County Cricket Club, said: “Honoured to be included. Some unbelievable Northern talent in that list.”
Helen Oldham, co-founder, Lifted Ventures, said: “Made our day. Thanks to those who chose us to be on the list.”
Paul Simkiss, owner, Simkiss Control Systems, said: “I have got to say this was unexpected. I am honoured to be included in a list of such talented people.”
Garry Partington, CEO, Apadmi, said: “Great to be part of the list with so many great other people.”
Stuart Clarke MBE, director, Leeds Digital Festival; founder, UK Tech Week, said: “Thank you for including me on the list – a real honour.”
Steph Edusei, CEO, St Oswalds Hospice; board member, North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “An impressive list to be a part of. Thank you for including me.”
Professor Erinma Bell MBE, CEO, Erinma Bell Ltd/community peace activist, said: “Inspiring.”
William Lees-Jones, managing director, JW Lees Brewery, said: “Proud to be in such excellent company.”
Richard Hagan, managing director, Crystal Doors, said: “Love this. Thank you again BusinessCloud for my leadership recognition, especially those who enjoy my maverick approach.”
Dr Vikas Shah, investor / NED, said: “Thank you for including me in this list amongst some really wonderful company.”
Paul Vernon, executive director for the Business and Innovation Directorate, Science & Technology Facilities Council; head of Daresbury Laboratory, said: “Honoured to be included in such distinguished company.”
Emma Degg, chief executive, North West Business Leadership Team, said: “What a lovely boost on a gloomy Wednesday. What an honour to be included.”
Steve Oliver, co-founder and group CEO, musicMagpie, said: “Honoured to be included amongst such illustrious and respected company.”
Sandy Lindsay MBE, chair, Tangerine Group / NED, said: “Wowzers!”
Barry Leahey MBE, president, Playdale Playgrounds, said: “A list the North can be proud of and humbled to be a part of it.”
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See Northern Leaders 2024 – Part 1