THE EB100
HALL OF FAME
The Enterprise LifetimeAchievement Award
The Enterprise Lifetime Achievement Award honours exceptional individuals whose career has made a lasting impact on UK enterprise. It recognises sustained entrepreneurial excellence, leadership, and influence, celebrating a lifetime of achievement that has driven innovation, inspired others, and strengthened the SME community through long-term commitment and vision.
Below are the individuals who have been recognised with this award
Simon Woodroffe
2026 Winner
In 2026 we honoured a true pioneer. A visionary founder. A builder of movements not just businesses. A rule-breaker in the most powerful sense of the word.
Simon has never followed trends he has set them. From launching YO! Sushi and transforming the face of casual dining in the UK and around the world, to redefining what a modern lifestyle brand could look and feel like, he has consistently turned bold, unconventional ideas into enduring success.
But Simon’s legacy is about far more than commercial growth.
He has always believed that business is a vehicle for empowerment. Through mentoring, education and entrepreneurship, he has championed the next generation particularly those who may not see a clear path into enterprise. He has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between academia and real-world business, breaking down barriers, sharing knowledge openly and making opportunity tangible.
He doesn’t just speak about innovation, he invests in it. He backs ideas. He funds research and new technologies. He supports emerging ventures. At SME level and on an international stage, he has demonstrated what happens when creativity meets courage and action follows vision.
Simon is a doer. A go-getter. A catalyst for change.
And perhaps most importantly, he has led with imagination, proving that business can be disruptive yet responsible, ambitious yet human, profitable yet purposeful.
Simon’s lifetime of leadership, innovation and impact has shaped industries, inspired entrepreneurs and strengthened the SME community across the UK and beyond.
Kanya King
2025 Winner
In 2025 we celebrated an individual whose impact on society and business is nothing short of extraordinary. Someone who has not only shaped an industry but has transformed lives, created opportunities, and championed innovation in ways that will be felt for generations to come.
From humble beginnings, Kanya defied the odds to redefine the music and entertainment industry. She saw a gap—an industry that lacked diversity, inclusivity, and recognition for Black artists and creators. But rather than waiting for change, she made it happen.
She founded the MOBO Awards, an institution that has given a global platform to countless artists, shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in music today. But her vision extended far beyond music—she has been a driving force behind entrepreneurship, innovation, and empowerment, ensuring that talent, no matter where it comes from, gets the recognition and support it deserves.
Her work has bridged the gap between business and creativity, providing mentorship, funding, and development opportunities for young entrepreneurs and aspiring professionals. Through her leadership, she has not only changed an industry but also inspired a movement—proving that representation matters and that diversity is not just an ideal, but a necessity for progress.
Kanya’s impact is international, her influence undeniable, and her dedication to fostering innovation and change is why she is more than worthy of the Enterprise Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kanya’s impact is international, her influence undeniable, and her dedication to fostering innovation and change is why she is more than worthy of the Enterprise Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kanya is a visionary, a leader, a go-getter, and above all, a force for real, meaningful change.
