Entry Criteria and Process
The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders celebrates the CEOs, Founders and Managing Directors who are demonstrating remarkable ambition and driving the UK economy forward.
Shortlisted leaders will be invited to meet with one of our Top 50 team to find out more about your ambition.
Leaders selected for The Top 50 will be invited for an interview with our Top 50 Editor to inform the profile published in The Times. Leaders selected as a One to Watch will be asked for some additional information via email to include in The Times.
In addition, The Top 50 judging panel will select category award winners including The UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader, The Highly Commended: One to Watch and celebrate areas such as sustainability, people and international ambition.
The Top 50, Ones to Watch and category award winners will be revealed at a celebratory event at BAFTA in London and in The Times the following day.
There is no cost to be a part of The LDC Top 50 or attend the celebratory events.
To qualify, leaders need to:
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- Be the CEO, Founder or Managing Director of a UK-headquartered, privately-owned business.
- Demonstrate a clear vision for their business and a deliverable plan for achieving their goals.
- Lead a profitable, growing business with an annual turnover of up to £50m.
- Evidence a strong track record of revenue growth (no financial data will be published without the business’ consent).
Nominate yourself or someone else for
The LDC Top 50 2026
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How does it feel to be part of The LDC Top 50?
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