
AIM Awards
Wednesday 1 October 2025, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, SE1
Nominations are open
and will close on Friday 1 August 2025
About
About the Awards
Each year the AIM ‘club’ gathers to celebrate outstanding achievement on the world’s most successful growth market.
Sponsored by BDO in association with the London Stock Exchange, the Awards identify the quoted companies and entrepreneurs who have harnessed AIM to help them fulfil their ambition and growth potential in the last twelve months. With ESG having an ever-increasing importance, we have widened the criteria for each category to give full emphasis to ESG considerations – covering well known environmental issues, along with social issues and governance matters. Due regard will be given to alignment with current ESG Best Practice and any demonstrable ESG policies that have directly impacted decision making.
Celebrating 30 years, the AIM Awards Dinner attracts over 1,000 guests including Senior Directors from AIM quoted companies and their advisers – ranging from NOMADS and brokers to accountants, lawyers, investor relations and financial PR professionals, the media and analysts – making it the largest AIM gathering – and, indeed, one of the annual highlights – in the City calendar.
Each year the AIM Awards Dinner is a sell-out event and over the years it has developed its own distinctive atmosphere – ‘professional but fun’.
Sponsors
BDO is proud to provide accounting and business advisory services to over 200 AIM-quoted companies. The businesses that we work with are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially spirited and high-growth organisations that fuel the economy. We help those businesses to succeed by offering honest, practical advice that is relevant to their business and this market.
Moreover, BDO LLP is a key member of the BDO global network of public accounting, tax and advisory firms. The BDO global network provides business advisory services in 166 countries, with 115,700 people working out of 1,770 offices worldwide. It has revenues of US$14 billion. Being a member of the BDO global network enables us to advise businesses which are trading and expanding internationally.
Sponsored by:
BDO is proud to provide accounting and business advisory services to over 200 AIM-quoted companies. The businesses that we work with are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially spirited and high-growth organisations that fuel the economy. We help those businesses to succeed by offering honest, practical advice that is relevant to their business and this market.
Moreover, BDO LLP is a key member of the BDO global network of public accounting, tax and advisory firms. The BDO global network provides business advisory services in 166 countries, with 115,700 people working out of 1,770 offices worldwide. It has revenues of US$14 billion. Being a member of the BDO global network enables us to advise businesses which are trading and expanding internationally.
For 30 years, AIM has proudly supported the lifeblood of the global economy – innovative companies.
AIM is the most active growth market in Europe, and over the last five years, 45% of all capital raised on European growth markets has been on AIM.
Through 2025 we’re delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of AIM by recognising the individuals, organisations and policy makers who have contributed to AIM’s success. This success is embodied by the pioneering companies who have thrived by raising vital equity capital on AIM.
Since its inception in 1995, AIM has supported more than 4,000 companies to raise nearly £136 billion to make a remarkable contribution to their employees, investors, customers and local economies. The market has a committed base of investors and advisers including; nominated advisors, brokers and market makers. This ecosystem have enabled SMEs from across the globe to gain access to the long term capital they need to grow.
This unique network of expertise is a vital part of the AIM community, who understand the needs of growing companies, and guide them through the IPO process and throughout their journey as a public company.
As AIM turns 30, we celebrate the success of companies past and present who have made such an important contribution to our economy.
In association with:
For 30 years, AIM has proudly supported the lifeblood of the global economy – innovative companies.
AIM is the most active growth market in Europe, and over the last five years, 45% of all capital raised on European growth markets has been on AIM.
Through 2025 we’re delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of AIM by recognising the individuals, organisations and policy makers who have contributed to AIM’s success. This success is embodied by the pioneering companies who have thrived by raising vital equity capital on AIM.
Since its inception in 1995, AIM has supported more than 4,000 companies to raise nearly £136 billion to make a remarkable contribution to their employees, investors, customers and local economies. The market has a committed base of investors and advisers including; nominated advisors, brokers and market makers. This ecosystem have enabled SMEs from across the globe to gain access to the long term capital they need to grow.
This unique network of expertise is a vital part of the AIM community, who understand the needs of growing companies, and guide them through the IPO process and throughout their journey as a public company.
As AIM turns 30, we celebrate the success of companies past and present who have made such an important contribution to our economy.

Emperor is a well-established strategic creative agency with a strong focus on helping Small Cap and AIM-listed companies communicate effectively with their stakeholders. Our expertise spans critical areas of communication, including corporate reporting, sustainability, digital media, moving image, presentations, and employee engagement.
Our team of consultants, creatives and account managers have a deep understanding of the ever-evolving trends and regulatory landscape and prides itself on building long term relationships. Our employee-owned structure fosters a strong sense of ownership and commitment.

Emperor is a well-established strategic creative agency with a strong focus on helping Small Cap and AIM-listed companies communicate effectively with their stakeholders. Our expertise spans critical areas of communication, including corporate reporting, sustainability, digital media, moving image, presentations, and employee engagement.
Our team of consultants, creatives and account managers have a deep understanding of the ever-evolving trends and regulatory landscape and prides itself on building long term relationships. Our employee-owned structure fosters a strong sense of ownership and commitment.

Winterflood is a leader in the UK Equity market, committed to providing liquidity and flexible execution services to institutional investors, retail brokers, investment banks, and asset managers.
Through its proprietary WRAP platform Winterflood is able to connect issuers with retail investors and we have worked with a range of issuers, including a number of AIM companies, to provide access to this unique liquidity pool.
Winterflood has been fully committed to the AIM market since AIM’s conception in 1995, when only ten companies were quoted. There are now over 725 companies quoted on this leading growth market and we cover nearly all of these stocks.
Winterflood is once again delighted to sponsor the Best Use of AIM Award and would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners & nominees. We hope that their success will continue to promote the vital role that AIM plays in the provision of capital for small, young, and fast-growing companies.

Winterflood is a leader in the UK Equity market, committed to providing liquidity and flexible execution services to institutional investors, retail brokers, investment banks, and asset managers.
Through its proprietary WRAP platform Winterflood is able to connect issuers with retail investors and we have worked with a range of issuers, including a number of AIM companies, to provide access to this unique liquidity pool.
Winterflood has been fully committed to the AIM market since AIM’s conception in 1995, when only ten companies were quoted. There are now over 725 companies quoted on this leading growth market and we cover nearly all of these stocks.
Winterflood is once again delighted to sponsor the Best Use of AIM Award and would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners & nominees. We hope that their success will continue to promote the vital role that AIM plays in the provision of capital for small, young, and fast-growing companies.

Haynes Boone is proud to provide services for more than 40 major legal practices. With more than 700 lawyers in 19 offices around the world, are among the largest firms based in the United States. Our core strengths are in corporate, debt capital markets, energy, finance, insolvency, international dispute resolution, investment management, project finance, real estate and shipping.
With decades of experience, our lawyers provide clients with broad English law capabilities. These include an experienced litigation and international arbitration team that has handled numerous claims in the English High Court and before major arbitral bodies. Our transactional teams have guided clients through such diverse matters as mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, financing, conventional and alternative energy projects, and maritime and offshore operations and projects. Our London office links clients operating in the world’s interconnected energy, finance and real estate markets.

Haynes Boone is proud to provide services for more than 40 major legal practices. With more than 700 lawyers in 19 offices around the world, are among the largest firms based in the United States. Our core strengths are in corporate, debt capital markets, energy, finance, insolvency, international dispute resolution, investment management, project finance, real estate and shipping.
With decades of experience, our lawyers provide clients with broad English law capabilities. These include an experienced litigation and international arbitration team that has handled numerous claims in the English High Court and before major arbitral bodies. Our transactional teams have guided clients through such diverse matters as mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, financing, conventional and alternative energy projects, and maritime and offshore operations and projects. Our London office links clients operating in the world’s interconnected energy, finance and real estate markets.
Addidat is the leading provider of ESG Data & Advice to AIM-quoted companies and their Investors.
Addidat help clients navigate the increasingly complex Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability landscape using a data-informed approach to their Advisory Services. This ESG proprietary data is also available via the Addidat Platform, available for investors to understand ESG performance in the small cap markets. Addidat’s experts help clients navigate the challenges and opportunities that ESG presents with right-sized solutions.
Addidat is delighted to sponsor the Diversity Champion award again this year. Addidat works closely with AIM-quoted companies develop and implement their DEI strategies and ambition, including using their proprietary data to set meaningful targets, considering size and sector.
Addidat is the leading provider of ESG Data & Advice to AIM-quoted companies and their Investors.
Addidat help clients navigate the increasingly complex Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability landscape using a data-informed approach to their Advisory Services. This ESG proprietary data is also available via the Addidat Platform, available for investors to understand ESG performance in the small cap markets. Addidat’s experts help clients navigate the challenges and opportunities that ESG presents with right-sized solutions.
Addidat is delighted to sponsor the Diversity Champion award again this year. Addidat works closely with AIM-quoted companies develop and implement their DEI strategies and ambition, including using their proprietary data to set meaningful targets, considering size and sector.
One Advisory is proud to provide its corporate services to more than 150 AIM and main market clients.
One Advisory provides PLC Corporate Governance and Compliance services to its clients as well as being AIM’s adviser of choice in delivering Financial Reporting services, including Annual/Interim Report drafting, as well as transaction support such as IFRS conversions, HFI, FPPP and PPA drafting, option valuations and IPO project management services.
One Advisory has broad and deep relationships with the AIM capital markets community built over more than 20 years and is owned and staffed by ex Nomads, corporate lawyers, reporting accountants and company secretaries.
One Advisory is once again delighted to be the sponsor of the AIM Corporate Governance Award.
One Advisory is proud to provide its corporate services to more than 150 AIM and main market clients.
One Advisory provides PLC Corporate Governance and Compliance services to its clients as well as being AIM’s adviser of choice in delivering Financial Reporting services, including Annual/Interim Report drafting, as well as transaction support such as IFRS conversions, HFI, FPPP and PPA drafting, option valuations and IPO project management services.
One Advisory has broad and deep relationships with the AIM capital markets community built over more than 20 years and is owned and staffed by ex Nomads, corporate lawyers, reporting accountants and company secretaries.
One Advisory is once again delighted to be the sponsor of the AIM Corporate Governance Award.
Octopus Investments, part of the Octopus Group, is an investment company investing in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. We manage investments for retail and institutional investors, investing the £12.9* billion they have entrusted to us into the areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact.
Our retail investors and the financial advisers that support them, have many different goals, from supporting their families to lead better lives and effectively passing down wealth to protecting their money and directing it to places that need it. We provide a range of products that help them to achieve these aims, including Venture Capital Trusts, Enterprise Investment Schemes, Business Relief-qualifying investments, and listed UK small and medium-sized company funds.
We support our institutional investors to meet their investment mandates on behalf of their end investors, across five specialist asset classes: renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, real estate, healthcare, and venture capital.
Octopus Real Estate and Octopus Ventures are part of Octopus Investments.
Octopus Investments, part of the Octopus Group, is an investment company investing in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. We manage investments for retail and institutional investors, investing the £12.9* billion they have entrusted to us into the areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact.
Our retail investors and the financial advisers that support them, have many different goals, from supporting their families to lead better lives and effectively passing down wealth to protecting their money and directing it to places that need it. We provide a range of products that help them to achieve these aims, including Venture Capital Trusts, Enterprise Investment Schemes, Business Relief-qualifying investments, and listed UK small and medium-sized company funds.
We support our institutional investors to meet their investment mandates on behalf of their end investors, across five specialist asset classes: renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, real estate, healthcare, and venture capital.
Octopus Real Estate and Octopus Ventures are part of Octopus Investments.
Berenberg was founded in 1590 and today is one of Europe's leading private banks with its Investment Bank, Wealth and Asset Management and Corporate Banking divisions.
Supported by:
Berenberg was founded in 1590 and today is one of Europe's leading private banks with its Investment Bank, Wealth and Asset Management and Corporate Banking divisions.
Awards
covering the period 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
The AIM Awards look at how companies and individuals harness AIM to power their growth and fulfil their strategy. AIM is one of the most important platforms to help smaller and growing companies raise the capital they need for expansion. The AIM Awards scrutinises recent joiners and more established companies, as well as the advisers and commentators, to identify the stars of the last twelve months across eleven categories. Due regard will be given to alignment with current ESG Best Practice and any demonstrable ESG policies that have directly impacted decision making.
Nominations are open
Click on each award to view more information
Best Investor Communication Award
Sponsored by:

Best Investor Communication Award
Sponsored by

Criteria
Good shareholder and investor communications are about more than just a well-produced Annual Report and website, although there is no disputing the importance of these within a company’s IR programme. They are also about maintaining open and clear conversations with all shareholders, effectively communicating bad and unexpected news as well as the good. The winning company will have demonstrated honest, accurate and consistent communication with all levels of shareholders and potential shareholders. Having adapted to life as a public company, the winner will have engaged effectively with new shareholders, promoting the company to professional and private investor audiences using all available channels, including social media.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- AB Dynamics plc
- Cohort plc
- CVS Group plc
- hVIVO plc
- Loungers plc
- Tracsis plc
Best Use of AIM Award
Sponsored by:

Best Use of AIM Award
Sponsored by

Criteria
The winner of this award will be a company that regards its arrival on AIM as the beginning of a journey rather than a destination in itself. The winning company will have a clear growth strategy in place and will have demonstrated successful implementation of that strategy.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- Cavendish Financial plc
- Ensilica plc
- FRP Advisory Group plc
- Onward Opportunities Limited
- Property Franchise Group plc
- SigmaRoc plc
Best Technology Award
Sponsored by:

Best Technology Award
Sponsored by

Criteria
The winner of this award will be a company that reflects the innovation and entrepreneurial skills that are the cornerstone of the AIM culture. The technology concerned does not have to be proven commercially. Obviously, this is potentially a high risk award, given the innovative nature of the subject matter, and the Voting Panel will be aware of, and make allowances for, this fact.
2024 winner

2024 shortlist
- ActiveOps plc
- Concurrent Technologies plc
- Craneware Group plc
- Creo Medical Group plc
- Eagle Eye Solutions Group plc
- Microlise Group plc
Diversity Champion Award
Sponsored by:
Diversity Champion Award
Sponsored by
Criteria
The Diversity Champion Award was created to identify companies within the AIM community that advocate equality and inclusion across all strands of diversity and who are shining examples to other organisations of how Diversity and Inclusion should cascade through every aspect of the business.
The Diversity Champion will demonstrate excellence across gender, race, religion, age, opportunity, disability, career development, training and sexual orientation. The winner of this award will embrace Diversity and Inclusion through its culture and vision, its executive team, the workplace environment, its gender pay equality and its anti-discriminatory policies.
The winner will be a leader in terms of fostering diverse thinking and demonstrating that diversity and inclusion is built into its very DNA.
2024 winner

2024 shortlist
- Flowtech FluidPower plc
- Kooth plc
- Lords Group Trading plc
- Pebble Group plc
- Personal Group Holdings plc
- M&C Saatchi plc
AIM Transaction of the Year Award
AIM Transaction of the Year Award
Criteria
The winner of this award will be a company that has been transformed by a single financial or commercial transaction during the period under review. This is necessarily a wide-ranging award, given to recognise a significant achievement by a company in transforming itself, literally at a stroke, and thereby creating significant shareholder value.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- AOTI, Inc.
- Concurrent Technologies plc
- GlobalData plc
- Property Franchise Group plc
- SigmaRoc plc
- Young & Co’s Brewery plc
AIM Corporate Governance Award
Sponsored by:
AIM Corporate Governance Award
Sponsored by
Criteria
Good governance is more than just ticking the boxes, it is about building and nurturing a healthy culture, ensuring engagement with investors, customers, the workforce and all stakeholders and maintaining key governance virtues such as evaluation, audit and risk, independence, diversity and strong succession planning. The ever-increasing importance of a company’s ESG journey – its Environmental, Social and Governance responsibilities is key criteria for the judges. The winning company will apply the principles of their chosen governance code in a way that shareholders can evaluate. They will go beyond the minimum requirements and demonstrate the actions the board has taken in the year and how these link to the business strategy and purpose. Communication on how the board fulfils its role in cascading the tone from the top throughout the organisation and how it employs social and environmental governance through engagement with wider stakeholders will be critical to success in this award category.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- Johnson Service Group plc
- Keystone Law Group plc
- Pebble Group plc
- Sanderson Design Group plc
- System1 Group plc
- Tatton Asset Management plc
AIM Growth Business of the Year Award
AIM Growth Business of the Year Award
Criteria
The winner of this award will have achieved exceptional, consistent growth in turnover and profitability for at least the past three years. This growth will have been achieved through market disruption, and clear innovation in product or service, backed up by a sustainable growth strategy which has been implemented by a high quality management team.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- Ashtead Technology Holdings plc
- Filtronic plc
- Jet2 plc
- Loungers plc
- Warpaint London plc
- Yu Group plc
Best Newcomer Award
Best Newcomer Award
Criteria
The winner of this award is, quite simply, what the Voting Panel regards as the newcomer to AIM with the best potential to deliver increased shareholder value. Arriving on AIM between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, the winner will already have caught the imagination of investors.
A full list of eligible companies will be provided.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- AOTI, Inc.
- European Green Transition plc
- Helix Exploration plc
- MicroSalt plc
The Brian Winterflood Award
The Brian Winterflood Award
Criteria
To commemorate the sad passing of City legend Brian Winterflood, an award was created to encompass everything Brian stood for. Brian will forever be remembered for his total engagement with the small cap market in general, and AIM in particular. Indeed, he was often referred to as the Godfather of small cap share trading, and as such we have established this award in his memory.
Nominations are not possible for this award. The AIM Awards Voting Panel will choose the most appropriate recipient annually. Their decision will be based on the winner’s achievements and profile in the AIM ecosystem, their significant contribution to the development and promotion of AIM, and their support for UK small cap equities.
2024 winner

George Luckraft
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by:
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by
Criteria
AIM is a market tailor-made for entrepreneurs. The winner of this award will be an entrepreneur who has demonstrated the vision, flair, drive and business acumen to take his or her business forward, via an AIM listing, at a pace impossible without access to public funding. The winner will also have recognised that behind every successful entrepreneur is an established management team that will help him or her deal with the demands of public company life.
2024 winner

Sam Bazini & Eoin Macleod/Warpaint London plc
2024 shortlist
- Henrik Bang/Netcall plc
- Sam Bazini & Eoin Macleod/Warpaint London plc
- Louis Hall/Cerillion plc
- Paul Hogarth/Tatton Asset Management plc
- Yamin ‘Mo’ Khan/hVIVO plc
- Rob Weisz/Fonix plc
Company of the Year Award
Sponsored by:
Company of the Year Award
Sponsored by
Criteria
The ultimate accolade for any AIM company is the Company of the Year Award. The winner of this award will have demonstrated that it is a responsible, fully accountable, dynamic business with strong growth prospects and a commitment to AIM. The Company of the Year’s growth potential will be excellent. Above all, the winner will be a serious, well-managed business, having attracted public funding to enhance and develop its growth potential to the full.
2024 winner
2024 shortlist
- Beeks Financial Cloud Group plc
- Cerillion plc
- Jet2 plc
- Renew Holdings plc
- Tatton Asset Management plc
- Warpaint London plc
Voting panel
Voting Panel meeting: Thursday 4 September 2025

Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd
(Voting panel Chairman)

Peter Ashworth

Sam Barton
TrinityBridge Limited

Tom Ferns
Haynes Boone

Jo Gilbey
BDO

Laurence Hulse
Dowgate Wealth/Onward Opportunities

Pardip Khroud
Voyager Capital Partners

Judith MacKenzie
Downing LLP

Julian Morse
Cavendish

Richard Power
Octopus Investments Limited

Philip Rodrigs
Raynar Portfolio Management

Stuart Rollason
Puma Investments

Eustace Santa Barbara
Canaccord Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum

Nina Spencer
Addidat

Marcus Stuttard
London Stock Exchange Group plc

James Wood
Winterflood Securities

Ken Wotton
Gresham House

Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd(Voting panel Chairman)

Peter Ashworth

Sam Barton
TrinityBridge Limited

Tom Ferns
Haynes Boone

Jo Gilbey
BDO

Laurence Hulse
Dowgate Wealth/Onward Opportunities

Pardip Khroud
Voyager Capital Partners

Judith MacKenzie
Downing LLP

Julian Morse
Cavendish

Richard Power
Octopus Investments Limited

Philip Rodrigs
Raynar Portfolio Management

Stuart Rollason
Puma Investments

Eustace Santa Barbara
Canaccord Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum

Nina Spencer
Addidat

Marcus Stuttard
London Stock Exchange Group plc

James Wood
Winterflood Securities

Ken Wotton
Gresham House

Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd(Voting panel Chairman)

Peter Ashworth

Sam Barton
TrinityBridge Limited

Tom Ferns
Haynes Boone

Jo Gilbey
BDO

Laurence Hulse
Dowgate Wealth/Onward Opportunities

Pardip Khroud
Voyager Capital Partners

Judith MacKenzie
Downing LLP

Julian Morse
Cavendish

Richard Power
Octopus Investments Limited

Philip Rodrigs
Raynar Portfolio Management

Stuart Rollason
Puma Investments

Eustace Santa Barbara
Canaccord Asset Management

Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum

Nina Spencer
Addidat

Marcus Stuttard
London Stock Exchange Group plc

James Wood
Winterflood Securities

Ken Wotton
Gresham House
Ian Restall
Ford Sinclair Ltd
(Voting panel Chairman)

Ian is non-voting Chairman of the Voting Panel. Throughout his career, Ian has been involved in the quoted growth companies sector.
Ian is the founder of the AIM Awards programme, and a Director of Ford Sinclair Ltd.
Peter Ashworth

Peter has been a longstanding member of the AIM Awards Voting Panel, witnessing the development of the AIM market since its launch in 1995. He is an equity research analyst, adviser and ambassador, focused on growth companies, having covered both the Main Market and AIM for over 35 years.
Peter has worked previously for a number of stockbroking firms including Shore Capital following its acquisition of Stockdale Securities. Previously he worked for Charles Stanley Securities,Teather & Greenwood, Albert E Sharp, Citicorp Scrimgeour Vickers and SG Warburg among others specialising in smaller companies.
Sam Barton
TrinityBridge Limited

Sam is a Senior Investment Director – UK Smaller Companies, having joined TrinityBridge (formerly Close Asset Management) Limited in September 2008 from Unicorn Asset Management. He runs the Smaller Companies team at Close Brothers, managing AIM-quoted IHT, EIS and segregated portfolios. Sam has extensive experience in managing smaller company funds and is a holder of both the Investment Management Certificate and the CISI Diploma.
Tom Ferns
Haynes Boone

Tom Ferns is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the London office of Haynes Boone.
His practice includes representing companies (public and private), shareholders and investors in a variety of business transactions across a broad range of industries with a concentration on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital-backed equity transactions and joint ventures.
Tom's other practice areas include AIM market IPOs, fundraising and placings (representing issuers and brokers).
With more than 30 years of experience, Tom has represented public and private companies, corporate finance advisers, brokers, family offices and entrepreneurs in a variety of corporate matters.
Tom is a trusted adviser of, and the "go-to" lawyer for, many of his clients.
Selected Client Representations
- Mergers and Acquisitions: Acted for public and private companies on buy and build strategies in the UK and internationally. He also a great deal of experience advising stakeholders, owner managers and entrepreneurs on the sale side.
- AIM Capital Market and Securities: Acted for a number of issuers, nominated advisers and brokers across a number of different sectors.
- Private Equity: Acted for sellers, management teams and PE houses and has developed a focus in advising management teams on PE backed transactions.
- Investment and Emerging Markets: Represented entrepreneurs, start-ups, early-stage companies, and emerging growth companies in all aspects of their early business cycle including entity formation, structuring and funding strategies.
Jo Gilbey
BDO

Jo is a senior partner at BDO LLP. She acts as Relationship Partner for many of BDO’s largest FTSE, AIM and other listed clients, bringing together all non-audit services including tax, corporate finance, digital and risk advisory services, valuations and restructuring services. For those companies with a significant international footprint, Jo coordinates the work of BDO’s strong international network covering 164 countries. Jo believes a trusted adviser relationship is key in the provision of services to Public Interest Entities and Other Entities of Public Interest, based on a strong understanding of clients’ business objectives and a key focus on regulation, governance and reputation. Together, Jo and her colleagues leverage the power of BDO’s UK specialist teams and strong international network of over 115,000 people across 166 countries and territories.
Laurence Hulse
Dowgate Wealth/Onward Opportunities

Laurence started his career at Gresham House in 2015, around the time of its inception, and worked on a number of outperforming equity products. At the point of his resignation, he had co-managed or deputised on a number of equity funds; namely Gresham House Strategic plc (now called Rockwood Strategic plc), Strategic Public Equity Fund LP and Gresham House Smaller Companies Fund. He was awarded both AAA and AA-ratings by Citywire during this time and two of these co-managed funds achieved FE ‘5-crown’ ratings while he was part of the team working on them. He resigned in 2022 to found Onward Opportunities, which is now a market-leading Investment trust in the UK Smaller Companies sector as one of the fastest growing and best performing UK Smaller Company funds and was awarded the 2023 IPO of the Year. It remains one of very few investment funds to have successfully launched in the UK since the pandemic.
As an investor, Laurence strongly believes in creating value through change; whether that be strategic, operational or personnel within a business – particularly in small and micro-cap companies where the impacts of these changes tend to be most tangible. He prides himself on working actively with the Boards and Exec teams of investments to drive shareholder value through the investment cycle. He holds a truly active approach to investment management by applying private equity techniques to publicly listed companies. His enthusiasm and drive have allowed him to successfully garner a track record of outperformance and close industry network throughout his career in the City.
Pardip Khroud
Voyager Capital Partners

We are delighted to welcome Pardip back to the Voting Panel and further details will be available in due course.
Judith MacKenzie
Downing LLP

Judith is Partner, member of the Executive Committee of Downing LLP, and Head of Downing Fund Managers, the boutique asset management division of Downing LLP. Judith manages over £250m in micro-cap and small cap mandates. Judith has c. 30 years track record in smaller company fund management, and was previously a partner at Acuity Capital, a buy-out from Electra Private Equity, where she managed small company assets with an activist strategy. Prior to this, Judith spent nine years with Aberdeen Asset Management Growth Capital as Co-Fund Manager of five Aberdeen VCTs, where she focused on technology and media investments in both the public and private arenas. Judith has held a number of public and private company directorships and is currently Chair of the Quoted Companies Alliance.
Julian Morse
Cavendish

Julian is joint-CEO of Cavendish the full service, UK investment bank trusted to provide a range of expert financial advisory and capital raising services to ambitious growth companies across all major sectors. Formed from the merger of Cenkos and finnCap the company has over 200 corporate clients, a strong balance sheet and offices in London and Edinburgh. Julian has over 29 years’ experience in the City in sales and as an analyst. He has led and worked on 100’s of transactions in his career and was previously CEO of Cenkos and a Director at Beeson Gregory and Evolution Securities.
Richard Power
Octopus Investments Limited

Richard is Head of the Quoted Smaller Companies team at Octopus, having joined in 2004. He has over 25 years’ experience of managing UK smaller companies funds and is in charge of managing the FP Octopus UK Micro-Cap Growth Fund. Richard has also worked at Close Brothers and Duncan Lawrie.
Philip Rodrigs
Raynar Portfolio Management

Philip is the Founder of Raynar Portfolio Management and Portfolio Manager of the WS Raynar UK Smaller Companies fund alongside his Raynar Flagship Strategy. Philip is a multi-award-winning investor specialising in UK equities. He was named Investment Week UK Smaller Companies Fund Manager of the Year 2010 and 2011 during his tenure at Investec Asset Management and the Financial Express UK Smaller Companies Alpha Fund Manager 2016 during his tenure at R&M Asset Management where he also created and managed the winner of What Investment Trust’s UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust of the Year 2017. Awarded the prestigious cross-asset accolade of Morningstar Outstanding Rising Talent 2012, Philip has two decades of experience investing in the UK market, with a particular focus on AiM listed firms.
Stuart Rollason
Puma Investments

We are delighted to welcome Stuart to the Voting Panel and further details will be available in due course.
Eustace Santa Barbara
Canaccord Asset Management

Eustace is a graduate of Harvard University and joined the investment team in 2013. He has worked as both an analyst and fund manager and has over 20 years’ experience on the buy-side. Eustace is the Co-Manager of the Marlborough Special Situations Fund, the Marlborough UK Micro-Cap Growth Fund and Marlborough Nano-Cap Growth Fund
Julie Simmonds
Panmure Liberum

Julie joined Panmure Liberum in November 2015 from Canaccord Genuity. She has 25+ years’ experience in life sciences research, covering both UK and continental European companies across a wide range of healthcare subsectors. Julie has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Kent and experience in industry in both Europe and the US. She is also Chair of the NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Connect a translational research funding panel for medical devices, diagnostics and digital health technologies.
Nina Spencer
Addidat

Nina founded Addidat in 2022. She has extensive experience in C-suite roles, Non-Executive Director (NED) positions, and independent board advisory roles.
Nina is an experienced consulting and fintech executive, having spent 15 years at then-AIM-listed Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, a leading global provider of specialist consultancy services. This included the roles of Global Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive of Alpha Data Solutions (now Aiviq).
Nina currently holds NED positions at 4most – a specialist consultancy, Wilton & Bain – an executive search firm, CBRE Investment Management – a real estate investment manager and Hatch – a digital skills provider.
Marcus Stuttard
London Stock Exchange Group plc

Marcus is Head of AIM and has responsibility for Primary Markets in the UK across both AIM and the Main Market. He is responsible for the management and development of AIM, London Stock Exchange’s international growth market for small and medium sized enterprises.
He is a regular speaker on growth and business funding issues and sits on a number of industry and policy advisory bodies and has played a leading role in key policy changes such as making AIM shares eligible for inclusion in ISAs, the abolition of stamp duty on the trading of shares admitted to Recognised Growth Markets such as AIM and the approval of AIM as the leading European SME Growth Market, a categorisation created in MiFID II.
James Wood
Winterflood Securities

James has almost 40 years’ experience in the City, initially joining the Asset Management department of Montagu Loebl Stanley (part of the Robert Fleming Group) in 1986 before going on to work at Greig Middleton, Seymour Pierce Butterfield and Henry Cooke Lumsden, followed by 16 years in corporate broking and institutional sales (latterly as Director of Equities at Charles Stanley Securities). James is a member of both the PLC Awards jury panel and the LSE AIM Advisory Group. He joined Winterflood Securities in November 2015.
Ken Wotton
Gresham House

We are delighted to welcome Ken to the Voting Panel and further details will be available in due course.
The event
Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities sometimes become available, including sponsorship of an individual award, sponsorship of the official drinks reception or sponsorship of the menu. Sponsorship opportunities are, by their very nature, limited. Costs and availability on request.
Hosting a table
Reservations are available for tables of ten people. Numbers are strictly limited and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis.
Advertising
Advertising in the digital brochure is welcomed and enables your key messages to reach a highly targeted audience. The digital event brochure is available to download on the night and contains details of the all nominees, the programme for the night and the menu. Uniquely, it also contains the names of all attendees, in alphabetical and table order. Thus it is widely used as a reference post event for up to a year afterwards.
Bespoke sponsorship opportunities
We offer a range of bespoke sponsorship packages, tailor made to suit your marketing objectives and budget. Further information on request.
Enquiries
If you wish to be added to the waiting list for a forthcoming event or for any other information, please contact Jo Thomas at Ford Sinclair.
Arrangements on the night
Date:
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Venue:
Park Plaza Hotel
200 Westminster Bridge Rd
London SE1
Start time:
6.00pm. – drinks reception
7.30pm. – dinner
1.00am. – carriages
Dress code:
Black tie
Charity collection:
A charity collection will be taken up during the course of the evening and the AIM Awards team will be available throughout to accept contactless donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Key details
Wine ordering:
Further details will be available in due course.
Accommodation:
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge,
London SE1
Exclusive rates for bedrooms may be available for guests attending the event and further information will be available in due course.
Location:
Latest media
Charity
In recent years, the AIM Awards Dinner has held a Charity Collection, principally for the benefit of child-focused charities. To all those who have made donations, thank you so much for your generosity – the charities concerned are all extremely grateful.
A charity collection was held at the AIM Awards 2024 and the total amount raised, which was split equally between our supported charities, BCCS and HoneyPot Children's Charity, was:
£11,975
BCCS
One in every ten children has a diagnosable mental health disorder – that’s roughly three in every classroom. A recent survey conducted also found 22% of girls and 9% of boys were self-harming. These alarming statistics demonstrate just how important it is to look after children’s mental health.
BCCS is a children’s charity covering East London and Essex, with the primary focus of providing counselling for children and young adults whose wellbeing, mental or emotional health is at risk.
HoneyPot Children’s Charity
Since 1996 Honeypot has been working to enhance the lives of young carers aged 5-12 years by providing respite breaks and a holistic range of services. In the UK nationwide, we give young carers a break from demanding and stressful responsibilities at home and provide a safe, nurturing environment where children at risk can develop their full potential.