NewsAwardsFinalists announced for the ‘Northern Gamechanger’ awards

Finalists announced for the ‘Northern Gamechanger’ awards

The finalists for Manchester’s newest awards programme have been announced today – with 40 local individuals and businesses in the running to becoming an ultimate Northern Gamechanger.

With the likes of TalkTalk, HideOut Youth Zone, Go Thrift, UA92 and The Juice Academy shortlisted, the awards, which will take place on 14th September, celebrate those that make a real difference in the region with a force for good.

Unlike most awards before it, the Northern Gamechangers will not have any defined categories – instead, all finalists will excel in a number of areas, including sustainability, decarbonisation, social mobility, diversity and inclusion, and charitable partnerships.

Judges, including Anna Gledson, Managing Director of The Manc Group; Tim Heatley, Co-Founder of Capital&Centric; Sharon Amesu, Founder of SA Consulting and Amer Gaffar, Director of Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, will name a total of 10 Northern Gamechangers in September’s ceremony.
The brand-new awards programme is the brainchild of north-west based business consultancy, Elevate, and was launched after noticing the little recognition available for those making a real difference.
“Seeing so many individuals and organisations across the region being nominated has been brilliant. We already knew there were plenty of people using their influence for good, but this has really highlighted the game changing attitudes of the north’s pioneering business community,” said Katie Robson, Co-Founder and Director of Elevate.
“We can’t wait to champion those people who are making a real difference – the main reason we wanted to launch Northern Gamechangers, was to shout about the fantastic work people are doing in the realms of sustainability, charity, diversity and many more”, she adds.
Hoping to bring together all walks of the business community, the ceremony will offer an accessible ticket price, as well as a fun and relaxed evening of celebration and networking (no white tablecloths in sight, promise!).
Programme sponsors include leading independent PR agency, The PHA Group, which last year launched its northern base; Manchester Central, the city’s thriving exhibition and conference centre; and Appleyard Lees, Intellectual Property specialists.
To purchase your ticket, head to https://elevategm.com/event/northern-gamechangers-awards/. A full list of the Northern Gamechanger finalists can be found below:
Abi Dunn, Sixty Eight People
Abigail Herron, Aviva Investors
Adam Farricker, HideOut Youth Zone Manchester
Adam Pope, Spencer Churchill
Agent Academy
Carl Walker, Go Thrift
Catherine Wilks, Slalom
Chris Roberts, Safe As Houses
Christos Tsaprounis, Autotrader
David MacDonald, Cullen ECO Friendly Packaging
Dr Ruth Brown-Shepherd, FSB West Yorkshire Academia-Industry Network
Duane Cormell, Realm Recruit
Emma Louise-Fusari, Inhouse Health
Fund Her North
Gary Woodhead, CurveBlock
Georgia Fitzgerald, Juice Academy
Grace Dyke, Yellow Jigsaw
Hannah Cox, BetterNotStop
Heard Storytelling
Helen McHugh, TalkTalk
Helen Seagrave, Electricity North West
Holly Holland & Laura Pomfret, Financielle
HOME Team
Husain Bensaud, HBL Associates
Isobelle Panton, University Academy 92
Jason Laing, ProMake
John Eckersley, Castefield Partners
Katie McIntosh, The Remedy Kitchen
Lauren Rosegreen, Invisible Cities Manchester
Lee Chambers, Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing
Liam Starkey, The Inclusive Hub
Lyndsay Hymas, Slalom
Manchester PA Network
Max Whiteley. Accounts & Legal
Rebecca Hartley, Saving Grace Events
ReCon^2
Simon Mellin, The Modern Milkman
Sophie Walker, Dsposal
The Royal Exchange Theatre
Tiffany Thorn, BiVictriX Therapeutics

Latest

Buying a franchise in the UK: What you need to know before investing

Buying a franchise can be an excellent way to start your own business while benefiting from an established brand and proven business model. Instead of...

Winding-up petitions hit three-year high as creditors lose patience, court data reveals 

Creditors are moving to shut down struggling companies at the fastest rate in at least three years, according to new figures obtained from the...

SAVVY Collective strengthens leadership team with appointment of Marcus Magee and Stephen Miles

CHESTER, CHESHIRE. July 21st, 2026 - SAVVY Collective has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two experienced hospitality leaders, naming Marcus Magee...

7 Practical ways Manchester businesses can strengthen their brand identity

Manchester recorded 23,541 new company registrations in 2025, making it one of the UK's most entrepreneurial cities. New businesses continue to open across sectors including retail,...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

How is AI transforming digital business development?

Artificial intelligence has moved well beyond the experimental stage, as it now serves as a practical and widely adopted tool that drives real results...

Ripple to build on 40 years of success with Hendrix Rose PR

Retail design agency Ripple Group has appointed Manchester-based Hendrix Rose PR to help raise its national profile as the business looks to build on more than 40 years...

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham reveals reshaped Cabinet

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun life in Downing Street after unveiling a significantly reshaped Cabinet, promising to "rewire Britain" by shifting power away...

Things to Consider When Moving Offices in Manchester

Manchester’s office market has rarely been this competitive. In the first quarter of 2026, occupiers took 286,200 sq ft of space across the city,...

More News

BET Awards 2023 Live Show Online Broadcast TV Channel

The 2023 BET Awards air tonight -- Sunday, June 25 -- at 8 p.m. Eastern on BET. The show will air live from the...

[WATCHLIVE-SHOW] Tony Awards 2023 Live TV Channel Free Online Broadcast 11 June 2023

The 76th annual Tony Awards will be available to stream on CBS and Paramount+ on June 11 at 8 pm ET. However, before the...

Thomas Kneale & Co Ltd Receives the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

Thomas Kneale & Co Ltd (TK), a Manchester-based textile company established in 1947, has been awarded the inaugural King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable...