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Programme information and key dates
Entrepreneurs shape our lives. They stimulate innovation, create jobs, without limitations. They build nations by fueling economic growth and prosperity.
Eligibility
- The business must be based, or have its chief operations, in the UK, and have been incorporated for two years as of 1 January 2025.
- The business leader is responsible for the company's success and has been in post a minimum of two years as of 1 January 2025.
- The business leader has a significant personal financial stake in the business, either directly or via share options.
No individual who is either an employee of or holds a senior management position with a current or prospective audit client or audit client affiliate (or an entity for which we're required to be independent from) can participate in Entrepreneur Of The Year UK, even if nominated by a third party or self-nominated. If, at any point, we identify that an individual is employed by or has an appointment with an entity we are required to be independent from, we reserve the right to remove that individual from the programme.
Key Dates
- Nominations deadline: Sunday, 2 March 2025
- Regional finalists announcement: April 2025
- Regional finalists judging days: June 2025
- UK finalists announced: October 2025
- UK judging day: November 2025
- UK celebration dinner: November 2025
Judging criteria
Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Identifies opportunities to innovate and create a better world.
- Takes risks to realise their vision.
- Demonstrates courage, perseverance and resilience to overcome significant obstacles.
Purpose
- Commits themselves and their organisation to an inspiring purpose and vision.
- Drives strategies for a sustainable future business.
- Creates and protects value in the long-term, across a broad group of stakeholders and ecosystems (e.g. consumers, employees, suppliers, government, communities, investors and shareholders).
Growth
- Increases market share and expands into new markets.
- Drives positive financial performance.
- Invests in attracting, developing and retaining a diverse mix of talent.
- Builds a culture of innovation that pioneers new approaches or technologies.
Impact
- Positively impacts the customers they serve.
- Integrates sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices in their strategy, with robust commitments and execution plans.
- Focuses on diversity and inclusion across multiple dimensions.