Economic development professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and management in their role, and who motivate and inspire their team to achieve success through effective leadership.

Nominees:
- Ben Hawley, Enterprising Barnsley Group Leader, Barnsely Council
- Jo Stevens, Managing Director, Oxford Innovation Space
- Levi Rickell, Managing Director, Rochdale Development Agency (at time of entry)
- Stuart Barnes, Director - Economic Growth & Housing, Sefton Council

Team of the Year
Exceptional economic development teams who have gone above and beyond in ensuring the smooth running and effective delivery of economic development functions in their organisations.

Nominees:
- Economic Development Team, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Economy & Growth Team, Burnley Council
- Economic Growth & Housing Service, Sefton Council
- Economy Team, Torbay Council

Rising Star of the Year
Professionals working in economic development with less than 10 years' experiance, who have demonstrated excellence, commitment and gone above and beyond in their early career.

Nominees:
- Dominic Jones, Economic Policy Development Officer, Barnsley Council
- Matt Brighty, Senior Consultant Economist, Bradshaw Advisory
- Una Foster, Senior Economic Development Officer, Croydon Council
- Nathan Shoesmith, Consultant, GC Insight  

Social Value Initiative of the Year - Sponsored by The Growth Company 
Projects, teams or individuals which have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities.

Nominees:
- Transforming West Cumbria, Sellafeild LTD & Cumbria Community Foundation
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- High Street Heritage Action Zones programme, Historic England
- North London Heat and Power Project, North London Waste Authority Social Value Team   

Most Innovative Project of the Year 
Innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation.

Nominees:
- Embedding Good Growth Principles into programme design and UKSPF delivery in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Cornwall Council
- Kindred, Liverpool City Region
- The Solent Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamps, YTKO and Solent Partners 

Collaborative Initiative of the Year - Sponsored by Recurve Solutions
Outstanding cross-sector economic development collaboration between two or more partners drawn from local authorities, private sector, third sector, business and academia.

Nominees: 

- Industrial Solutions Hub, Cumberland Council
- Leeds Manufacturing Festival 2025, run by the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance
- Data-Driven Innovation, University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University

Outstanding Impact - Sponsored by Pegasus Group

For projects delivered and concluded in the last five years, which demonstrate benchmarked evidence against other similar initiatives. Impacts could include environmental, social, business support (from start-up to growth and scale), rural development and regeneration.

Nominees: