Finalists announced for the iED Annual Awards 2025

This year’s ceremony is due to commence on 25^th November at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester.

Launched two years ago, the iED Annual Awards were established to recognise achievements within economic development across the UK. This year, there’s certainly plenty to celebrate as almost 60 entries were submitted.

‘We are delighted with the quality and quantity of entries received for the iED Annual Awards 2025, and shortlisting has been incredibly challenging this year,’ Nigel Wilcock, executive director of the iED, said.

The final nominees for the seven different awards can be found below.

Leader of the Year:

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

Team of the Year:

• 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:

• 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:

• Transforming West Cumbria, Sellafield Ltd & Cumbria Community Foundation
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, Historic England
• North London Heat and Power Project, North London Waste Authority Social Value Team

Most Innovative Project of the Year:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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

Another award, otherwise known as Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development, is also set to be announced during the ceremony, which follows the iED Annual Conference.

Nigel added: ‘Congratulations to those who have made it through, and thanks to everyone who has taken the opportunity to enter.’

More details about the event, including where to book tickets, can be found here.

Image via iED.

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