Meet the rising stars: Hull & Humber Top 30 Under 30s reveal class of 2026

Thirty young people from businesses across Hull and Humber have been chosen to take part in a year-long experience, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony at the end of the year. 

The Top 30 Under 30 scheme was launched in 2017, in a bid to recognise and support rising stars within businesses across the region. Since then, the programme has gone from strength to strength, inspiring the next generation of business leaders. 

As part of the programme, each of the selected winners will undergo 12 months of development in line with the Leadership Excellence Acceleration Programme (LEAP). The process not only equips each winner with the skillset to become effective leaders, but also provides an opportunity for businesses to recognise and invest in their own aspiring, young talent.

Simon Jones, founder of Top 30 Under 30, said: “I am proud to announce this year’s winners, and our class of 2026. This year has seen us receive a record number of nominations, making the judging process the most difficult to date.

“Today, we celebrate the contribution of the region’s best young talent. This group have made a significant difference to their organisations, to their teams and to the local business community, and it is an honour to showcase who they are”

The programme provides winners the unique opportunity to further enhance their leadership skills, led by industry experts in leadership, self-development, and communication.

33-year-old Josh Richardson was part of the Top 30 Under 30 process in 2019 and reflects on the experience as the key moment that helped propel his career. 

Josh, now Co-Owner & Managing Director of Informed Financial Planning, said: “It’s been 7 years since I was recognised as one of the Top 30 Under 30s. At the time, it was the first piece of external validation that told me I was on the right path. The process doesn’t just recognise talent, it encourages every winner to take steps forward, and that mindset can completely change the trajectory of your career.

That mindset, along with the development I received from the Top 30 process, ultimately led to me becoming Co-Owner & Managing Director of the very business who put me forward in 2019.

Being a part of the Hull & Humber Top 30 Under 30s gave me something I didn’t realise I needed at the time; it gave me permission to believe in myself. It puts you in a room with incredibly talented people, pushes you out of your comfort zone and reminds you that everyone has their own battles and areas to learn and improve. It shows 
you that success isn’t about feeling completely ready, it’s about stepping forward anyway.”

The process also campaigns to raise awareness around the various career opportunities that are available in the region, including the different pathways to success, and the range of professional industries that operate in the area.

Simon said: “By delivering the Top 30 Under 30s, we create an evidence-based narrative that helps shifts the often common perception that you need to leave the area to climb the career ladder, whereas in fact there are jobs, careers and progressive opportunities worth staying for.”

2026 has seen the record for the number of nominations received broken once again, a real statement of the impact the process makes on the winners. Since the programme started, it has now supported 35 winners to become directors of organisations in the region, 14 ‘heads of’ departments, 3 in ‘group’ positions and over 100 new managers. 

Simon continued: “Every year, I am blown away at the level of support I receive for Top 30. I believe that through this process and the awareness we have generated, organisations are now recognising how important investing in their young talent is to their long-term future and prospects. As such, seeing more organisations engaging with these awards is a positive sign for the future of our local economy, and our business community.

“We are upskilling and mobilising Hull and Humber’s future leaders, and I can’t wait to take this year’s winners on that journey.”

Winners List (in surname alphabetical order)

Lottie Almey - Events & General Donations Manager - Jon Egging Trust
Michael Atkin - Site Fuel Engineer - British Steel
George Baker - Compliance Manager - Pure Block Management Ltd
Michael Boland - Product Lead - Parallel
Sophie Broadhead - Customer Service Team Leader - Turner Price Ltd
Scarlet Bulmer - Regulatory Director - Rubicon Technical
Olly Burdett - Content and Design Executive - Future Humber
Sam Cassidy - Order Fulfilment Manager - Villeroy & Boch
Hannah Cochrane - Business Executive Assistant - Adams and Green Limited
Nathan Cocker - Material Planner - Bericap (Uk) Ltd
Phil Croft - Chemist - AAK
Heidi Donnison - Tourism Events & Projects Officer - East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Jack Drewry - Production Lead - Siemens Gamesa
Adam Griffiths - HR Specialist (Change and Recruitment) - University of Hull
Jacob Hodgson - Helpdesk Team Leader - The One Point
Lucy Holland - Communications and Marketing Executive - Van Ameyde Marine
Tom Hornby - Product Analyst - Wren Kitchens
Chris Hughes - Control Design Engineer - Aldercote Limited
Abbie Jensen - Project Surveyor - Hull City Council
Ellie Kerins - Customer Service Liaison Officer - Advanced Plastics
Amy Leeman - Assistant HR Manager - Humber Bridge Board
Elena Martinez - Team Leader - Wescot Credit Services
Josh Milburn - Business Analyst - Rix Group
Tom Needler - Project Resource Manager - Boston Energy
Dainora Olechnovic - Shift Production Chemist - Phillips 66
Lucy Phillips - Research and Development - Senior Associate Reckitt
Jessica Pidgeon - Process Engineer - VPI
Zoi Sarris - Assistant Accountant - MKM Building Supplies
Jordan Stachan - R&D Engineer II - Smith+Nephew
Lucy Whyld - HR Manager UK & IE - Flora Group Ltd