Darren Whelpton-Smith

Darren is a Senior Board-level commercial leader with 20+ years’ success in driving profitable growth across E-commerce, Retail, and Wholesale for founder-led, private equity, and PLC businesses. Brands that Darren has worked for have been, GANT clothing, LEVI’s, Timberland, Fat Face to name a few. With a proven track record of delivering double-digit revenue growth, leading high-performing teams, integrating acquisitions, and driving digital and customer-first transformation across premium lifestyle, fashion, and building materials sectors. Highly strategic, financially astute, and passionate about building winning cultures and customer-centric operations.

Heather Waters, Greater Manchester Growth Hub

With over 30 years B2B experience, Heather Waters, Access to Finance Network Manager at the Greater Manchester Growth Hub, is passionate about supporting businesses and has built a wide knowledge of the enterprise ecosystem and its supporting organisations & networks both nationally and regionally. She’s a recognised and skilled connector who builds relationships with internal & external stakeholders and has collaborated with public, private and third sector organisations. This has been key to the success of the many partnerships, pilots and programmes she has created delivered and supported.

Supporting, guiding, championing and celebrating success has been the key driver and passion throughout her career, whether this is with entrepreneurs, with colleagues or through community projects.

Iain Pilling, United Utilities

Iain has nearly 30 years’ experience at United Utilities across roles including Customer Services, Income, and Regulation. As Area Engagement Lead for Lancashire, he builds strong relationships with communities, councils, and partners to support collaboration and maintain UU’s trusted reputation. United Utilities provides water and wastewater services to the North West, with a purpose to deliver great water for a stronger, greener, healthier region. The company is driving its largest infrastructure investment in over a century, shaped by customer needs. A leader in service, UU has supported over 330,000 households, earned 100,000+ WOW Award commendations, holds ISO 22458 for vulnerability, and is accredited by the Institute of Customer Service with Distinction.

Jess Littlewood, Group Communications Director, Theo Paphitis Retail Group & #SBS Small Business Sunday

Jess has experience in Communications and Events across the Entertainment, Charity, B2B, Small Business and Retail sectors. This includes working on brands such as Classic FM and LivingTV, and setting up a PR function for a B2B business from scratch.  Jess has worked as Group Communications Director for TV Dragon and entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis since 2016.

Her focus covers communications for the whole Theo Paphitis Retail Group including brands such as Robert Dyas and Ryman, as well as for Theo’s media, TV, events and charity work.  Jess also runs #SBS Small Business Sunday – a leading free UK network of almost 4,500 small businesses – managing everything from day-to-day operations to running the annual event.  Never a dull day!

Maxine Laceby, Co-Founder, Absolute Collagen

Maxine co-founded Absolute Collagen with her daughter Darcy in 2017, turning a kitchen-table idea into an award-winning, £30m brand within three years. As innovators of the liquid collagen category, they became one of the UK’s fastest-growing D2C businesses and ranked 4th in The Times Top 100.

With no prior business experience, Maxine went from full-time mum to boardroom leader, using life skills and resilience to drive success. She describes Absolute Collagen as an emotional brand backed by science, empowering customers to feel their best and do spectacular things. Her journey has made her a powerful inspiration to women and aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

Tom Smith, CEO and Founder, Complete

Tom is the CEO and Founder of Complete, an award-winning, full-service digital agency operating in Lancashire and Dubai. Tom has more than 24 years of industry experience and previously worked as Head of Web before founding Complete in 2009.  

Tom is the driving force behind Complete, enabling us to support clients with all aspects of digital marketing. As an agency, we have achieved excellent results for clients, including 700% traffic increases, 300% conversion lifts, and 1,388% ROI gains in SEO.

Tom is extremely passionate about seeing clients succeed in their industries. Alongside this, he places great emphasis on building a strong company culture and fostering community engagement.

More Judges to be announced

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