Top 50 Northern Gamechangers revealed....
Finalists for Manchester’s newest awards programme have been announced today – with 50 local individuals and businesses in the running to become the top ten, one of which will also be crowned the Ultimate Northern Gamechanger.
With the likes of Julia Heap, Dr Penny Trayner, Annette Joseph MBE, GigPig and Bruntwood's LGBTQIA+ network shortlisted, the awards, which will take place on 21st September, will see the north come together to celebrate those making a real difference across the region. Whether it’s pioneering innovation, leading the charge on sustainability, or making a big impact on local communities, a ‘Gamechanger’ truly uses their influencer and business as a force for good.
Back for a second year, the Gamechangers is unlike any other awards across the region. Deliberately choosing to not have defined categories, but instead, all finalists have excelled in a number of areas, including sustainability, community impact and innovation.
The judging panel has been made up of a handful of people representing the business community across the region including Tim Heatley, Co-Founder of Capital & Centric; Mike Taylor, Customer Engagement Manager at Electricity North West and last year’s ultimate Gamechanger winner, Policy and Influencer Manager at Macc, Lauren Rosegreen. Judges will review the final 50 entries and crown a total of 10 Northern Gamechangers in September’s ceremony.
The brainchild of north-west based business consultancy, Elevate, the Northern Gamechanger awards was launched after noticing the little recognition available for those actually making a real difference across the region vs the formal corporate get togethers that usually make up award ceremonies across the region.
“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.
Current reigning Ultimate Northern Gamechanger, Lauren Rosegreen, said: “The Northern Gamechangers are an awards programme like no other. It’s so refreshing to see something championing people achieving amazing things, in and outside of work. I was incredibly proud and humbled to have been awarded the ultimate gamechanger status in 2022, it really grew my confidence and has allowed me to push myself to take on lots of new and exciting opportunities this year as a result. I wish all this year’s candidates the best of luck, we’ve had a hard task on our hands as the quality of entrants has been outstanding. The Northern community really are a force.”
Hoping to bring together all walks of the business community, the ceremony in September, at Revolución de Cuba, will offer an accessible ticket price, as well as a fun and relaxed evening of celebration and networking.
Programme sponsors include leading independent PR agency, The PHA Group, Manchester Central, the city’s thriving exhibition and conference centre; and Appleyard Lees, Intellectual Property specialists and Perfect Sense Energy, Solar Energy design, supply and installers.
Our top 50 Northern Gamechangers 2023, in alphabetical order...
Agent Academy
Agnes Altmets
Alex Winstanley
Amy House
Amy Wild
Annette Joseph MBE
Azhar Quaiyoom
Boo Coaching & Consulting
Bruntwood's LGBTQIA+ Network
Carrie Byrom
Celia Gaze
Christie Spurling MBE,FRSA
Christina Taylor
Cleo Farman
Cody Gapare
Daisy Hughes
Danny Parr
Darcie Robinson
Dave Scholes
Elise Wilson
Ecobelt
Farhana Hemani
Feimatta Conteh
Fran Darlington-Pollock
Gary Brandwood
Hannah Ballard
Jennifer Dootson
Julia Heap
Kyle Soo
Louise Marix Evans
Luke Davies
Manchester Hospitality Network
Mara Rastall
Marianna Vaszilyiv and Okszna Nepijvoda
Melissa Cooper
Mike Smith
Muhammad Abz Abby
Nick Shepherd
Northern Spin
Optimo Business
Dr Penny Trayner
Rita Ochoa
Rose de la Font
Sally MacDonald
Sam Fox
Sixty Eight People
Steven Thompson
The Carbon Literacy Project
The gunnercooke Foundation
Join us on Thursday 21st September to celebrate with the shortlist and find out who the Top Ten Northern Gamechangers are! Book your tickets here.