Featuring: Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026 Phone: 01283 365204 Website: smenews.digital Sofi Parry Senior Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. SME News is thrilled to announce the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026 – now in its fifth year, this prestigious programme celebrates the UK’s most inspiring, visionary, and high-impact managing directors. Whether you’re leading a dynamic start-up, an ambitious scale-up, or a well-established SME, this is your chance to showcase your leadership, strategy, and achievements on a national stage. In today’s fast-moving business world, the role of the Managing Director has never been more important. This award recognises leaders who drive growth, inspire teams, deliver results, and set new standards of excellence across their industries.
Contents 4. Hale Place Care Solutions: Dementia Care MD of the Year 2026: Kevin Hewlett MBE 6. Redstart Northwest Ltd: Environmental Services MD of the Year 2026: Stephen England & Business Performance & Development Excellence Award 2026 8. Southbourne Rubber Co Ltd: British Manufacturing Leader of the Year 2026: Stephen Wilde 9. Kinver Business Solutions Ltd: Project & Programme Management MD of the Year 2026: Darowen Jones 10. Eat IT Drink IT Ltd: Transformational MD of the Year 2026: Cliff Gurdin & Responsible AI & Automation Leadership Award 2026 11. Everpool Recruitment: Recruitment Solutions MD of the Year 2026 (North West England): Ged Walsh 12. Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd: Industrial Waxes MD of the Year 2026: Hugh McAulay & Best Specialist Industrial Wax Manufacturer 2026 13. Arthur Edward Recruitment: Cosmetic Industry Recruitment MD of the Year 2026: Heidi Bannister & Talent & Recruitment Leadership Excellence Award 2026 14. Efficientivity LTD: Online Management Consulting MD of the Year 2026: Giorgio Gabba & Democratised Strategic Insight Innovation Award 2026 15. Optio Systems Limited: Tech Business Transformation MD of the Year 2026: Josh Chilton & Control Systems & Automation Solutions Company of the Year 2026: Optio Systems 16. Steel River Quay: Offshore Wind Industry MD of the Year 2026: Ally Cameron 17. Ace Elevators: Elevator Installation & Maintenance MD of the Year 2026: Kal Shergill 18. Rufus Wren Ltd: Executive Leadership Support MD of the Year 2026 (Midlands): Kate Davies 19. Buoyant Upholstery: Furniture Manufacturing MD of the Year 2026: Mike Aramayo & Best Upholstery Manufacturer 2026 20. Turnbull Infrastructure & Utilities Ltd: Utilities Construction MD of the Year 2026: James Dryden & Most People-Centric Construction Company 2026 21. Strategic UK Group LTD: Business Strategy MD of the Year 2026 (South East England): Naim Rahman & SME News Leadership Excellence Award 2026
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 4 Dementia care is everyone’s business. From families and professionals to communities, we all have a role to play in reducing the stigma around dementia and supporting people as they seek to remain connected. Kevin Hewlett MBE takes on a great deal of responsibility when it comes to improving the lives of people facing dementia, creating Hale Place Care Solutions almost 40 years ago to support him in this aim. With Kevin being recognised here in our Managing Director Awards 2026, we spoke with him for more on his career and Hale Place itself. Too often, people living with dementia are shackled by unnecessary restrictions and over-medication, both of which limit their lives. Instead, these individuals should be allowed to experience joy, purpose, connection, opportunity, and freedom, and this is where Hale Place Care Solutions, with its specialist dementia care homes in the heart of Kent, comes in. Founded by Kevin Hewlett MBE, who also serves as its managing director, Hale Place is best known for Hale Place Farmhouse, which has been one of the most outstanding dementia care environments in the UK since the late 1980s. Small, personal, and loving, Hale Place Farmhouse has just ten beds, and has been showing for years that people battling dementia do not need to be put in large institutions to receive care. What they actually need is a real home, freedom, purpose, and people who care around them. “People living with dementia deserve far more than the current systems provide”, Kevin told us. “They deserve the opportunity to enjoy moments of real joy every single day. They deserve to live, not merely exist.” Operating according to this belief, Hale Place’s dementia care model, which has been in place now for 38 years, is delivered in small, personalised, family-style environments, like the one at Hale Place Farmhouse. This model has been recognised by the people it supports, their families, and health professionals as exemplary, and it is always rated as outstanding. Kevin and his team have received more than 20 regional and national awards over the years as a result, but what they believe really defines their work are the smiles they return to people’s faces. Whether of the family who have their loved one back or the person who is no longer defined by risk, routine, or diagnosis and is instead recognised for who they are what they love, putting these smiles on faces is what keeps Hale Place motivated to succeed. Guided by the values of kindness, honesty, inclusion, and respect, Kevin’s belief that good dementia care is about stepping closer to the person, understanding their life story, protecting their personhood, and recognising what matters to them sees him offer true person-centred care, unlike what many companies are delivering. Kevin explained: “Many providers and policymakers talk about person-centred care. Too few truly deliver it. My legacy will not feel complete until I have reached the widest possible audience and made the strongest possible case for a real person-centred model of dementia care – one that does not simply sound compassionate but actively transforms lives.” This ethos is reflected in Kevin’s approach to leadership, and he manages Hale Place with absolute clarity, deep humanity, and uncompromising standards. However, this does not mean he sees himself as standing above his people. Rather, for this dementia veteran, leadership is about standing beside his team, coaching them, instilling belief, and creating an environment where they can achieve more than they thought possible. The secret to success in providing outstanding dementia care is for everything to work in synergy. This includes the person living with dementia, their family, and the team around them. Time and again across his career, Kevin has seen the best outcomes happen because everyone has been travelling in the same direction. Families feel reassured, staff feel proud, and people with dementia feel safe, known, and cherished. Kevin’s understanding of successful care is something that has been shaped over the course of his career in this space, which began with weekend night work and has progressed from there. Kevin’s impact in this field is so great because he started on the floor, working with people during the quietest and most vulnerable hours of the day. The lessons learned here have stayed with him as he progressed throughout his career, taking on every role residential care could ever throw at him. Just some of the responsibilities Kevin has taken on over the years include cooking meals, cleaning rooms, maintaining gardens, leading HR, delivering training, developing teams, and building systems from the ground up. Kevin is also a qualified trainer, assessor, and verifier, all of which have allowed him to support and develop the careers of others, without ever losing sight of the human reality of dementia care. All of this makes Kevin an exceptional managing director, one who stands for person-centred dementia care and governs according to his lived experiences of all of the roles his team are expected to complete. Although his job has now pivoted to leading, challenging, inspiring, and protecting a culture where extraordinary staff support people living with dementia, Kevin’s early days remain a crucial part of Hale Place’s continued success. Dementia Care MD of the Year 2026: Kevin Hewlett MBE
More recently, the company’s continuing commitment to raising the standard of dementia care has seen it work on a second home, Buston Manor. The project is being driven by Kevin’s sons, Barney and Dudley, who have grown up within Hale Place and absorbed its values, culture and approach to care over many years. Having identified the building themselves, they are now creating Buston Manor from the ground up, shaping every aspect of the project around wellbeing, quality of life and meaningful living rather than profit alone. For Kevin, effective leadership has always meant having confidence in the people around him, delegating with trust and giving others the freedom to evolve, challenge established thinking and drive change. He remains closely involved as the project's Executive Chairman, offering guidance, experience and mentorship while allowing Barney and Dudley to develop and lead the project in their own right. Building on everything learned at Hale Place Farmhouse, Buston Manor will retain the same small, personal ten-bed model while offering greater space, flexibility and potential than the original farmhouse setting allows. Kevin commented: “I want Buston Manor to become a home where people living with mid- to late-stage dementia can experience a higher standard of living, greater enjoyment, more interaction, more curiosity, and more freedom within a safe and beautifully considered environment. It will be a unique, living, breathing home, full of warmth, movement, conversation, laughter, and meaningful moments.” “We have already shown, through Hale Place Farmhouse, that outstanding dementia care can transform lives. With Buston Manor, I want to go even further and set the next national benchmark for small, personalised, life-enhancing dementia care.” Outside of Kevin’s responsibilities as the managing director of Hale Place’s locations in Kent, he also works with care providers, care homes, social care professionals, families, charities, and other such organisations who are serious about actually improving the lives of people living with dementia. These clients also strive for developments that go beyond policy and language and which are instead present in their everyday practice. To this end, he personally offers a dementia care consultancy, as well as specialist dementia training for care homes, service development support, and practical guidance for organisations that look to move beyond task-based care and create meaningful, person-centred care for the most vulnerable older people living in society today. This work is an equally important part of Kevin’s future, and he aims to continue to support care providers in moving away from overly medicalised or task-led care models, using a non-pharmacological care model to help them adopt an approach where identity, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and meaningful activities in dementia care are all commonplace. Building a brighter future for dementia care in Kent and across the UK, social care dementia specialist Kevin Hewlett MBE is fitting of the title of Dementia Care MD of the Year 2026. More on his work at Hale Place Care Solutions can be found at the website link below He is always happy to answer questions and welcomes serious enquiries from care providers who share his commitment to improving dementia care and wish to take the quality of their provision to the next level. Contact: Kevin Hewlett MBE Company: Hale Place Care Solutions Web Address: www.haleplace.co.uk kevin.hewlett@haleplace.co.uk
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 6 Since its inception in 2010, Redstart Northwest has delivered land remediation projects and site preparatory services to clients spanning the construction, commercial, and energy sectors across the UK. In less than two decades, the company has evolved to stand as the go-to remediation contractor of choice for the UK’s housebuilders and main contractors. The company is driven by a team of experienced plant operators, SMSTS qualified site managers, construction personnel, and chartered professionals, all possessing a substantial shared knowledge base. These individuals boast expertise in a wide range of specialisms, spanning remediation, earthworks, demolition, and civil engineering, positioning Redstart Northwest as one of the most recognised and trusted remediation companies in the sector. Within the field, Redstart Northwest provides geotechnical consultancy to clients and their businesses, as well as undertaking contracting works such as demolition, earthworks, and remediation. The company works hard to mitigate the risks often associated with building on previously developed sites, such as soil and groundwater contamination, ensuring that construction projects can proceed unencumbered. This is a stellar service steered by Steve England, the Managing Director of Redstart Northwest. An experienced Director of Construction with a demonstrated history of working in the construction and remediation industry, Steve is highly skilled in value engineering, cost management, project management, highways, earthworks, remediation, and bid preparation. Steve entered the workforce immediately after completing his A-Levels and leaving sixth form college. He worked his way up the managerial ladder, first beginning as a Junior Engineer and working his way up to the roles of Engineer, Senior Engineer, Site Agent, Contracts Manager, Operations Manager, Operations Director, Deputy Managing Director, and, finally, Managing Director at Redstart Northwest in 2023. Throughout this journey, Steve has worked hard to realise his dreams. In 1992, having been in the workforce for only six years, the young leader was already undertaking three roles: Site Engineer, Site Agent, and Quality Surveyor. In 1996, Steve recognised that he needed a higher qualification than his A-Levels to effectively fulfil his duties. He undertook a distance-learning four-year degree, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Building and Construction Management in 2000. The course of Steve’s professional career has been defined by its upward trajectory, which has been made possible by his unrivalled work ethic. “I worked hard and made myself standout from the rest, so I was noticed,” Steve told us. “I volunteered to do additional duties, which would make me a better all-rounder. I always had ambition, so it wasn’t a chore for me to do more. I enjoyed challenges to better myself and look forward to whatever the next challenge may bring.” Today, Steve is the Managing Director of the dedicated team behind Redstart Northwest. At the head of this company, Steve engages in all aspects of the business, including finance, business development, marketing, estimating, commercial, and operations, with regular site visits to ensure the team are performing well. He prioritises total transparency and communication, offering the staff feedback surrounding Redstart Northwest’s progress, achievements, and areas for improvements. Redstart Northwest is a 100% Employee-Owned Trust Company, positioning its talented staff as key stakeholders in the business and its success. With this status, Redstart Northwest understands the importance of recognising every employee as a vital part of the company and works tirelessly to provide each of them with a voice. The Senior Management team meets monthly with encouragement to share any ideas, innovations, or problems with the rest of the team. Furthermore, Senior Managers are briefed after the management accounts are produced each month, maintaining complete awareness Based in Stockport, Redstart Northwest is an employee-owned company providing ground remediation services to clients nationwide. Its professional team is headed by experienced Managing Director Steve England, who has steered the company through diversification and expansion with great success. We spoke with Steve to learn more about his journey below, following his recent recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. Environmental Services MD of the Year 2026: Steve England & Business Performance & Development Excellence Award 2026 Redstart Northwest Ltd
of the business’s financial status. Project review meetings are held onsite fortnightly to ensure the site teams are also aligned with project targets and performance. Steve also provides quarterly business updates, disclosing to the team where they are against their targets and whether any new strategies have been investigated or instigated. Over the past 12 months, the Redstart Northwest team has introduced a salary sacrifice pension scheme, introduced a Group Critical Illness cover, replaced all of its old car fleet with new vehicles, upgraded its private medical insurance, introduced and paid the first “Profit Share” scheme in February 2026, and, in April 2026, introduced a “Matched Pension” scheme, where the company matches the employee contribution for their grade. These recent achievements have been made possible by Redstart Northwest’s exceptional structure. “Culture is so important to us as a business,” said Steve. “Being a true EOT now is key to driving everyone in the same direction, for the benefit of the business and to the employees. This year has been quite significant for the team. Nobody hesitates to help and support each other, and people go above and beyond for the business. It doesn’t matter what rank you are; our people don’t hesitate to offer help.” Recruitment is a two-person responsibility at Redstart Northwest. Its management seeks compatibility to integrate with the business first and competency second, learning from experience that if there is a willingness to work with others and a can-do attitude, all training provided will cover any shortfalls in competency. Once onboard, staff are consistently praised and recognised for doing a good job, with key milestones and birthdays celebrated across the team. Driven by its standout team, Redstart Northwest has become a recognised name for clients across the North West, a position amplified by its team being comprised primarily of local residents. With the aim of pursuing expansion and making Redstart Northwest more resilient to the industry, area, and sectors, however, the company is exploring alternate avenues in which to diversify its offerings. Whilst Redstart Northwest has primarily served housebuilders since its inception, the team has made significant efforts to reach out to companies occupying different sectors, areas, and client bases. It has made great progress in receiving tenders and contractors in different regions and, what’s more, 86% of tenders priced to date have not been from housebuilders, proving to the team that there is strong power behind diversification. Looking further to the future, Redstart Northwest is targeting a continued growth plan over the next five years, with the vision of growing at least 20% year on year. The team will continue to diversify, with its sights set on the Midlands and the South. Redstart Northwest will look to set up regional offices on the back of growth in these areas, with the eventual goal of owning and operating its own head office within the next 12 months. Steve has a number of key strategic targets for the shortterm future of Redstart Northwest, each geared towards expansion and enhancement. These targets include increasing operating profit via value engineering and a greater level of efficiency; increasing the win ratio of tenders submitted to won; purchasing new, larger excavators to support its diversification of work; and continuing to recruit staff who can support Redstart Northwest’s growth. At the same time, the Managing Director will continue to regularly review Redstart Northwest’s benefits packages for his staff, with the aim of establishing the business as a “Best In Class” provider for its employees. Ultimately, he aspires to position Redstart Northwest as a leading contender on The Times and The Sunday Times 100 Best Places to Work. With an unwavering passion for his field, his team, and the sustained success of Redstart Northwest, Steve England has been recognised as the Environmental Services MD of the Year 2026. In reflection of his ambitions, and the success Redstart Northwest has achieved so far, Steve shared some advice for budding Managing Directors: “You must be prepared to put the hard yards in and set the level that you are prepared to accept from others. Be strong and decisive in your decision-making and remember that you can only make decisions on the information you are given. It was right at the time, even if it proves to be wrong later; learn from your mistakes.” This advice has proven incredibly impactful for Steve’s own professional career, empowering the Managing Director to successfully lead his team at Redstart Northwest from strength to strength. Redstart Northwest has achieved substantial growth, fruitfully pursued diversification from housebuilders, and empowered its employees through its transition into an Employee-Owned Trust. For its remarkable combination of commercial growth, staff investment, and strategic expansion, we at SME News Magazine are delighted to recognise Redstart Northwest with the Business Performance and Development Excellence Award 2026. Contact: Steve England Company: Redstart Northwest Ltd Web Address: www.redstartnw.com
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 8 British Manufacturing Leader of the Year 2026: Stephen Wilde Southbourne Rubber (SBR) is a UK-based advanced manufacturer of precision-engineered elastomeric components including seals, gaskets, O-rings, and complex mouldings used in safety critical environments. The company’s upward trajectory has been steered by Stephen Wilde, a seasoned Managing Director who has demonstrated an unrivalled ability to transform businesses and drive sustainable growth. We spoke with Stephen himself to learn more, following his recent recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. Over the course of his remarkable career, Stephen Wilde has learned that the right mindset, strong leadership, and investment in people can transform any business for the better. He spent the first ten working years of his life on a farm, an experience that shaped much of who he is today. Stephen developed a strong work ethic, unwavering resilience, and a practical hands-on approach to problem solving. He shared, “It taught me early on that if something needs doing, you get on and do it.” Stephen went on from there to build a career across both large corporates and smaller entrepreneurial businesses. He worked for organisations such as BT, where he gained a solid grounding in structure, process, and accountability. Then, he moved into start-ups and growth businesses, where adaptability and pace were critical. “The biggest lesson for me is that success comes down to people and leadership. Products and markets matter, but without the right culture, direction, and accountability, businesses struggle to perform. I have learned the importance of resilience, honesty, and leading from the front, especially when things are not going to plan.” When Stephen joined SBR in 2016, the company was effectively a stage two start-up that had lost its direction. “I was originally brought in to support closure,” he recalled. “Instead, we chose to rebuild. Ten years later, the business is a highperforming, award-winning manufacturer recognised nationally for both its growth and commitment to apprenticeships.” Today, this commitment is precisely what enables SBR to stand out in a competitive market. The company runs an apprenticeship programme whereby it invests heavily in developing talent and future leaders from within, with clear progression pathways and a 100% completion rate. Over half the team are current or former apprentices and several have progressed into senior roles, including director levels, which reflects the strength of positioning their development at the core of the workforce strategy. One of the most rewarding aspects of Stephen’s professional career has been watching these young people grow and develop into future leaders. Through SBR’s focus on apprenticeships and development, he has witnessed many individuals join the business and go on to build successful careers. “There is a real sense that the next generation will take the business even further,” he told us. “They bring energy, new ideas, different perspectives, and I am confident that they will do an even better job than I have. For me, that is a key measure of success: building a business that will continue to grow and thrive long after I step away.” Moving forward, the focus for SBR is to continue growing and developing a successful, sustainable business. The next few years will see the team scaling its operations, investing in new facilities and equipment, and strengthening SBR’s position within aerospace, defence, and other high-performance sectors. An upcoming move to a new larger facility will play a key role in this journey, providing the company capacity to expand both its output and its team. Under Stephen’s expert guidance, SBR will continue to invest heavily in people, particularly through apprenticeships, to ensure it develops the next generation of skilled engineers and leaders from within. This strategic direction, paired with a steadfast commitment to people and progression, has earned Stephen Wilde his title of British Manufacturing Leader of the Year 2026. As he looks to the future, Stephen shared: “Having successfully turned the company around from near closure, we remain driven to build a resilient, scalable manufacturing business that can compete globally while developing the next generation of talent. “Personally, my goal is to build a business that is not only high performing but also resilient, with strong foundations, clear leadership, and a culture that can sustain long-term success. Ultimately, it is about leaving the business in a stronger position than I found it, with a clear platform for continued growth well into the future.” Contact: Stephen Wilde Company: Southbourne Rubber Co Ltd Web Address: www.southbournerubber.co.uk
From regenerating town centres to refurbishing high-rise housing, Kinver Business Solutions Ltd brings skill, knowledge, and the experience of both its managing director and a Prince 2-accredited team to the table to support across projects and programmes relating to the UK’s built environment. We caught up with its MD, Darowen Jones, following his recognition in our Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. Project & Programme Management MD of the Year 2026: Darowen Jones Before setting up Kinver Business Solutions more than a decade ago, Darowen Jones held a number of positions relating to housing and property services across the Midlands, roles he secured in the wake of graduating from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in building surveying, and, in the years since, completing internationally recognised qualifications in project management. In founding Kinver Business Solutions, Darowen made the difficult decision to step out of employed work and go into business for himself, aiming to provide focused project and programme management services to the UK’s public and private sectors. In the 12 years since, he has certainly achieved this goal, with his company today offering a solutions-based approach and delivering meaningful change across housing, regeneration, leisure, heritage, and property compliance. Just a taste of the projects this MD and his team have worked on since 2014 include as a regeneration project manager for One Manchester Housing, a programme manager for a number of initiatives spearheaded by the Wolverhampton City Council, and even leading the Oxford City Council project that looked to respond to the Grenfell Tower fire. In this last instance, Darowen and the team encouraged the council to be one of the first to strip dangerous cladding from its five high-rise residential blocks. Due to the diversity of this work, every project is approached in its own way, complete with individual, detailed plans and delivery focused on achieving the client’s objective. This method is detailed through Kinver Business Solutions’ core values: honesty, integrity, professionalism, and client satisfaction. These principles also reflect the social value brought to areas where the company works, with it often forming relationships with charities and other support services, like the local Wicksteed Charitable Trust. The man at the helm of Kinver Business Solutions, Darowen is responsible for upholding these values and delivering quality service to customers, all whilst hitting targets. Since having a productive team capable of thriving in challenging, high-pressure environments is fundamental to this, Darowen puts a great deal of time and effort into managing, motivating, training, and developing his people – leading by example, offering an optimistic outlook, and nurturing collaboration and mentorship. Because his role encompasses a number of different tasks over the course of the day, with time left over to touch base with the team, Darowen’s wife has likened his diary to a work of art, with everything in different colours. This diary is the first port of call when it comes to Darowen’s management tools, and is crucial in him being an effective MD and consultant to his clients. Crucially, however, it leaves him time for himself and his family. Darowen explained: “Over the last 12 years, I’ve come to understand about listening to my own body, and this is something that I ask the team to do also. It really is life first, work second at Kinver Business Solutions. That’s not to say that the service we offer is anything less than exemplar, but it does allow the team to feel free to work at hours that suit them rather than complying to a uniform 9–5 just because that’s the way it has always been!” This reflects the trust Darowen has in his team, which comprises a small and highly specialist group whose experience in areas like public sector governance, funding, procurement, projects, and programmes is unrivalled. The team always strive to improve, setting improvement goals and assessing what went well and what could be improved. It is thanks in part to this that the company has enjoyed significant growth from 2025 into the first half of 2026, with its team set to double in size. “This growth is the result of methodical planning and the addition to the business of further structures, processes, and procedures which will assist our new colleagues to hit the ground running.” Having recently started to work with a business mentor to help him shape the future of the company and acquire more work, Darowen is also looking ahead to expanding the company’s provisions through new services like cost management and property compliance, all delivered by a stellar in-house team and overseen by this award-winning MD. More on Darowen Jones and Kinver Business Solutions can be found at the link below. Contact: Darowen Jones Company: Kinver Business Solutions Ltd Web Address: kinverbusiness.co.uk
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 10 Transformational MD of the Year 2026: Cliff Gurdin & Responsible AI & Automation Leadership Award 2026 Based in Leeds, Eat IT Drink IT was born from the mission to help hospitality businesses embrace technology that improves both operational efficiency and customer experience. Over the years, the business has evolved to stand at the forefront of AI, automation, and robotics within the hospitality sector. This is a mission steered by Founder and Managing Director Cliff Gurdin, a determined IT professional who was driven by his own experiences consulting hospitality entrepreneurs. We heard more from Cliff below. Having worked at senior levels across the public and private sectors, varying between frontline IT support management and technical implementation management, Cliff Gurdin knew that creating his own company was the most logical next step in his professional career. Consulting entrepreneurs within hospitality had opened his eyes to a glaring gap in the market: while many businesses provided critical hospitality services across the UK, these services were offered in a standalone format, with no interest in how the end client affordably utilised and supported their services. Cliff established Eat IT Drink IT in 2015, striving to provide independent expert consultation services to the hospitality industry, supported by around-the-clock, affordable, and knowledgeable tech support. The company works with hospitality venues, hotel groups, restaurants, bars, and leisure operators across the UK, empowering them to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges, including staffing shortages, rising costs, and increasing customer expectations. To these clients, Eat IT Drink IT offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that range from managed IT services and cybersecurity through to autonomous service robots, cleaning robots, digital transformation consultancy, and AI-driven automation. These services are delivered with an overarching belief that the hospitality industry is built on human interaction, and that AI and robotics should never replace that, instead removing repetitive, timeconsuming tasks so that teams can focus on delivering superlative guest experiences. “I am especially passionate about changing the perception of robotics within service industries,” said Cliff. “There is often an assumption that automation exists to replace people, whereas my experience has consistently shown the opposite. The most successful deployments are those that allow employees to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time delivering exceptional service, building relationships, and creating memorable customer experiences. This philosophy underpins the solutions we provide and the advice we give clients.” Cliff’s passion has shaped the trajectory of his professional journey, calling him to bridge the gap between innovation and practical application to ensure that businesses can adopt new technologies in a way that delivers genuine value. From the outset, he was fascinated by how technology could improve operational efficiency and create better experiences for businesses and their customers. This fascination led Cliff to hold a variety of technical and customer-facing roles over the years, across IT infrastructure, support, communications, and business operations. Along the way, Cliff discovered that success is rarely about technology alone. The most important lesson he has learned is that people come first; success depends on understanding people’s needs, earning trust, and bringing them along on the journey. This perspective has become particularly important when introducing AI and robotics, where education and communication are often just as important as the technology itself, and has shaped the ways in which Cliff leads his team. “Our industry is evolving rapidly, particularly with the growth of AI, automation, and robotics,” he told us. “Rather than waiting for change to happen, I encourage my team to embrace innovation and challenge conventional thinking. I foster a culture where new ideas are welcomed, calculated risks are supported, and continuous learning is part of everyday business. This approach has enabled us to evolve from a traditional hospitality provider into a recognised specialist in AIdriven automation and robotics solution for the hospitality sector.” Under Cliff’s expert leadership, Eat IT Drink IT has played an instrumental role in positioning Yorkshire as a region capable of leading the charge in technological innovation. While many businesses look to major technology hubs for inspiration, Eat IT Drink IT has demonstrated that forward-thinking AI, automation, and robotics solutions can be successfully developed, deployed, and supported from its base in Leeds, Yorkshire. Reflecting on the significant accomplishments of his team throughout the years, Cliff shared with us, “My ambition extends beyond growing a successful company. I want to help shape the future of hospitality, healthcare, and service industries by making advanced technology accessible, practical, and beneficial to organisations of all sizes. By combining innovation with strong relationships, exceptional service, and a people-first approach, I believe that we can create lasting positive change for businesses, employees, and customers alike.” Contact: Cliff Gurdin Company: Eat IT Drink IT Ltd Web Address: www.eatitdrinkit.co.uk
Everpool Recruitment is a multi-sector recruitment company providing tailored temporary and permanent recruitment solutions to clients across the UK. The company works primarily with clients within healthcare and retail, and also undertakes office and commercial work, digital marketing, and tech recruitment. Operating across an array of industries, the team at Everpool Recruitment delivers bespoke solutions that are designed around each client’s specific needs. Every member of the Everpool Recruitment team prides themselves on providing a high-quality, consultative service backed by unrivalled industry knowledge that supports long-term business success. “What motivates us is the opportunities to give to people in their careers and help to grow companies’ businesses,” Ged told us. “We understand that every successful placement makes a fundamental difference to their organisations.” Ged Walsh is an experienced Recruitment Director with a proven track record across multiple industries, specialising in healthcare, legal, office and commercial, property, marketing, engineering, IT, and telecommunications. Whilst working in senior retail management, Ged developed a strong passion for leading people and building highperforming teams. Now, Ged draws upon his experiences to lead with a true understanding of what motivates individuals, communication, and decision-making. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership,” he said. “Every person is different, and the key is adaptability.” As Managing Director, Ged believes that effective communication is fundamental to Everpool Recruitment’s operations. The company is run with clear processes and regular touchpoints that ensure everyone across the board is on the same page. What’s more, the team holds frequent meetings to discuss different areas of the business, client requirements, candidate activity, marketing insights and updates, new business campaigns, and ongoing projects. Within the business, Ged encourages an open and collaborative culture, whereby his team feels comfortable sharing their knowledge, challenges, and ideas. The company holds regular one-to-ones and performance reviews that ensure accountability, while also keeping up to date with priorities and maintaining proactive communication with clients and candidates throughout the recruitment process. Ged steers his team with the belief that work should feel supportive, uplifting, and enjoyable. “Whether we’re celebrating holidays, getting stuck into team activities, sharing a laugh in the office, or representing the business at local events,” said Ged, “these moments reflect who we are at our core: a team that cares about each other, shows up for one another, and genuinely enjoys what we do together!” With such exceptional operations driven by a strong internal culture, Everpool Recruitment has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2021. Looking to the future, the team intends to double the size of the business, whilst continuing to deliver the high-quality service and people-first approach for which Everpool Recruitment is renowned. Under the expert guidance of Ged Walsh, named North West England’s Recruitment Solutions MD of the Year 2026, we at SME News have no doubt that Everpool Recruitment will continue to excel. Contact: Ged Walsh Company: Everpool Recruitment Web Address: www.everpoolrecruitment.com Based in Liverpool, Everpool Recruitment leads the industry with tailored recruitment solutions that support clients at every stage of their hiring journey. The company is led by Managing Director Ged Walsh, a seasoned recruitment partner who leverages a true understanding of his clients’ markets to deliver meaningful results. We spoke with Ged to learn more, as he is named in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. Recruitment Solutions MD of the Year 2026 (North West England): Ged Walsh
Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026/ 12 Industrial Waxes MD of the Year 2026: Hugh McAulay & Best Specialist Industrial Wax Manufacturer 2026 Graduating from the University of Glasgow with a degree in chemistry, Hugh McAualy began his career in sales for the chemical industry, before progressing through the industry and trying his hand at every element of it. Following a stint as the MD of a company producing tin foil and cling film, he returned to the world of chemicals in 2016, joining Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd as its managing director. Ten years later, we caught up with Hugh following his recognition in this programme. A niche manufacturer with a solid base in amide wax technology, Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd is based in South Wales, an area reported to once be the heart of the UK’s wax industry. The company is a whollyowned subsidiary of Höganäs AB, which purchased Abril in 2015. The restructuring that followed saw the company retain some independence due to the specialist areas it serves, especially through its main product, synthetic amide wax. Roughly 50% of Abril’s business comes from this, which the company makes at home in Wales, before processing it further in-house to ensure that the final product lives up to the high standards the company is known for. Hugh told us: “That is ultimately where the value lies.” The other half of Abril’s business comes from specialised tolling, where the team produce specific blends and combinations of waxes that are unique, confidential, and sold to individual customers. Höganäs is one of the customers making the most of this, using Abril’s modified amide wax as an external lubricant in the powered metal technologies it produces, mostly for the automotive industry. Outside of the world of automative solutions, other areas where Abril’s products get extensive use include surface coatings, adhesives and sealants, and plastic masterbatch, highlighting the balance of flexibility and niche solutions it offers. Behind every solution is the drive to do more than just offer something nobody else does, with Abril striving to make the process as efficient as possible. For Abril, the only thing above is efficiency is safety. “We work safely or not at all”, added Hugh. “This is the number one priority throughout Höganäs and something we fully appreciate and take on board at Abril. We must always ensure that we follow safety systems, adopt safe systems of work, train the workforce, and make sure everyone contributes to safety.” Investment in safety has been particularly high over the past three years, with new safety systems and safety features introduced. However, we all appreciate that safety at work goes beyond the physical, and psychological safety is something Hugh makes sure defines the culture at Abril, which is a place where everyone is invited to speak up and offer their opinion. After all, Hugh asked: “Why employ good people and then ignore them?” The collaboration this encourages, alongside the independence afforded to it by Höganäs, means Hugh is in a very strong position to drive innovation and help Abril set its own priorities. The team are free to trust their judgement and use their knowledge and experience across their roles, and as long as they operate within the boundaries of Abril’s safeworking procedures, plant capabilities, and the quality it aspires to, Hugh helps them thrive. He does this in a number of ways, including through the Go4Great health initiative. Last year, this saw the team take part in geocaching sessions around the village, with staff given the opportunity to work in small groups with people they do not usually work with. Free fruit has also been introduced into the office every week, a simple touch but one that has proven popular. On a practical level, the environment the team work in is also undergoing maintenance in the second half of this year, with new changing rooms and showers being installed. This follows the previous introduction of air conditioning into all the office and lab areas, which helps a lot, especially given the recent heatwaves the UK has been going through! These changes are all small parts of Hugh’s legacy at the helm of Abril, and given his plans to retire next summer, this is something he has been thinking a lot about lately. His recent tasks have involved a lot of succession planning, but he remains committed to his long-time duties, which include hitting environmental targets and supporting his team. Named Industrial Waxes MD of the Year 2026 (alongside Abril’s recognition as the Best Specialist Industrial Wax Manufacturer 2026), Hugh McAulay’s impact on Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd has been undeniable. We wish him all the best with his retirement and Abril all the best as it enters an exciting new chapter under someone else’s leadership. More on Abril and its products can be found below. Contact: Hugh McAulay Company: Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd Web Address: www.hoganas.com/en/abril Abril Industrial Waxes Ltd
Established in 2002, Arthur Edward is a global recruitment and search company working in the niche area of beauty, cosmetics, and personal care. The company is steered by Founder and Managing Director Heidi Bannister, a spirited entrepreneur who has earned recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. We heard more about Heidi’s journey to success below. Cosmetic Industry Recruitment MD of the Year 2026: Heidi Bannister & Talent & Recruitment Leadership Excellence Award 2026 Arthur Edward works with companies positioned along the lifecycle of a product, from chemical and raw material suppliers to product manufacturers, brands, and retailers. The company finds talent to innovate, launch, and market beauty, cosmetic, and personal care products, with searches that cover all disciplines and roles involved in this work, including technical, sales, operations, and marketing. Its clients range in all shapes and sizes, from indie startups and private investment companies to some of the largest beauty brands in the world. Since founding the company 24 years ago, Heidi Bannister has built an impressive team of industry specialists. She has been in employment since the age of 13, spending her evenings, weekends, and holidays working at a grocer, a garden centre, a hair salon, and restaurants. Through this work, Heidi learned early on that she had a passion for customer service. She shared, “I always enjoyed chatting to people, spotting when someone needed a refill, and I was never afraid of hard work or long hours.” On leaving school, driven by a lifelong love for hair and beauty products, Heidi trained at the London College of Fashion. She won the Student of the Year Award in 1984 whilst on a hairdressing, wig making, and cosmetic science course, and went on to continue her studies with beauty therapy and aromatherapy at Champneys College. Heidi worked as a therapist for a time, before taking a job at a recruitment company. There, she catered to office roles but quickly learned that recruiting secretaries was not her true passion. She pivoted and tapped into her creativity, creating and selling products to her friends and family. At craft and trade fairs, she had the opportunity to meet agents and international distributors to grow her business further. In 1988, Heidi won the London Livewire Entrepreneur competition and secured 3i investment for a small manufacturing operation. She learned a lot about grassroots manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, and sales, but cashflow remained tight. The business collapsed in the recession of 1990. “Although I was devastated the business failed,” she said, “I learned the hard way that you really need to spend as much, if not more, time focused on the business, margins, and profits than on the creative fun of product development.” While she searched for a new job, Heidi worked at McDonalds, taught Keep Fit and worked in a nightclub. She then spent a decade in sales and marketing roles, gaining a truly in-depth understanding of product development, sales, and marketing for different manufacturers and brands, before setting up a brand business of her own called Body Mode. After having a baby, however, Heidi realised that she needed to work in a role with less travel and returned to recruitment for a specialist sales agency. Here, she learned more about the partnership approach to recruitment: really understanding the market, doing a deep search, and finding the best candidate for the company. While she enjoyed recruitment this time around, Heidi found that she missed the cosmetics industry. Upon the realisation that she could combine her two passions, Heidi established Arthur Edward in 2002, with her first job being the search for a Marketing Manager for Goldwell Haircare. Now, Heidi leads a remote team from her home office, demonstrating how flexible working can benefit both people and business performance. Together, they are dedicated to driving Arthur Edward forward with the core values of passion, knowledge, and success. The cosmetics industry is shaped by innovation and dedication, and Heidi believes in the continued learning and development of her entire team. She works hard to ensure everyone is trusted and listened to, promoting her belief that any idea is worth exploring. Since first stepping into the workforce, Heidi Bannister has led a professional career defined by determination, perseverance, and unwavering passion for her craft. She has learned many lessons, and now uses all that she has learned to drive her team to success. We at SME News are delighted to award Heidi with the title of Cosmetic Industry Recruitment MD of the Year 2026. Contact: Heidi Bannister Company: Arthur Edward Recruitment Web Address: www.arthuredward.com Arthur Edward Recruitment
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