THE LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders 2023 has celebrated the achievements of some of Britain’s most innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs for the sixth year in a row.
Created by investment partner LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, and supported by The Times, this year’s programme received entries of the highest calibre and surpassed the expectations of the judging panel.
The business leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 are growing their businesses at home and overseas, making a positive contribution to society and driving progress against their sustainability goals. They hail from every corner of the UK and span every sector of the economy. Together, they employ more than 6,700 people and turn over more than £1.2bn.
In total, five Scotland-based business leaders were named in The LDC Top 50, with a further one featured as One to Watch. Shining examples from across the region included Philip Ross and Martin Izod, founders of Glasgow-based Safehinge Primera, which designs specialist anti-ligature doors and alarms to reduce risk of harm in the healthcare sector; Mark Scott and Tony Ottley, co-founders of Dunfermline-based dog food business Bella & Duke; and David MacDonald, of Fife-based Cullen Eco-friendly Packaging, which replaces single-use plastic in packaging.
They were recognised at a celebratory event at BAFTA in London last night, with accolades awarded for the UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader and a series of individual award categories.
Brothers Reza and Omid Najafian of Glasgow-based Staffscanner scooped the Rising Star in People Award, after impressing the judges with their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Their revolutionary healthcare staffing platform matches care staff with work opportunities, offering them flexibility, with the promise of payment within 48 hours of completing a shift.
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said: “This year’s LDC Top 50 entries surpassed all our expectations and once again showcased the outstanding talent and ambition that exists among entrepreneurs from across Britain.
“In business, ambition is the driving force that propels innovation, growth and success, and the winners, as well as all of those recognised in The LDC Top 50 and Ones to Watch, should be proud of their achievements.
“At LDC, we have always championed ambition. We back management teams who are striving for growth, providing them with the investment and support they need to achieve their commercial goals and make a positive contribution to society and the environment.”
Since 2018, The LDC Top 50 has received more than 3,000 nominations and celebrated more than 500 business leaders, shining a spotlight on the remarkable success stories of medium-sized businesses.
The Scotland-based business leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2023 are:
- Philip Ross and Martin Izod, Safehinge Primera
- Mark Scott and Tony Ottley, Bella & Duke
- Reza and Omid Najafian, StaffScanner
- David MacDonald, Cullen Eco-Friendly Packaging
- Adam Pye, John Pye & Sons
The Scotland-based business leaders named as One to Watch are:
- Craig Letton and Ben Walker, MRM Global
The full list of national award winners are:
- The Most Ambitious Business Leader – Luke Consiglio of The Pantry
- The International Growth Award – Mark Copley of Copley Scientific
- The People First Award – Kuntal and Mark Fisher of FIECON
- The ESG Award – Tony Cleary of Lanchester Group
- Rising Star: International – Mo Hussain and Alan Rock of Moasure
- Rising Star: Sustainability – Lucy Macnamara of Aspiga
- Rising Star: People – Reza and Omid Najafian of Staffscanner
- Trailblazer: Women in Tech – Anna Brailsford of Code First Girls
- Trailblazer: Energy Efficiency – Nicolas Gillanders of South Coast Insulation Services
- Trailblazer: FinTech – Adam Ward and Josh Graham of Airtime Rewards
- Highly Commended: One to Watch – Lewis Reeves of Walr
- The Alumni Award – Dan Williams of Orean
