Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards 2026

Johnathan Dudley

Johnathan is a well-known business leader in Greater Birmingham, recognised for his work supporting regional businesses and shaping economic priorities. Over the past year, he played a key role in helping companies respond to the JLR cyber attack by bringing affected suppliers together, sharing information and signposting support during a period of uncertainty. He also represented business concerns publicly, contributing to wider discussions on recovery and resilience.

Alongside this, Johnathan has contributed to regional strategy through work on the Industrial Strategy and the West Midlands Growth Plan, helping translate policy into practical insight for businesses, particularly SMEs and manufacturers. He remains actively involved with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, regularly engaging with members and sharing expertise.

The nomination recognises Johnathan’s leadership, commitment and sustained contribution to strengthening the business community across the West Midlands.

Joanna Lee Mills

Joanna Lee-Mills is a leading business ambassador in Birmingham, known for advancing the city while supporting others’ success. She has influenced policy through white papers, including her forthcoming work on the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, and previously transformed high street regeneration approaches with ‘More than Stores.’

Joanna mentors legal professionals to partnership level, supports women, ethnic minorities, and mothers returning to work, and created inclusive internship programmes at Shakespeare Martineau. She champions Birmingham’s Chinese business community and connects leaders to generate both social and commercial impact, including partnerships addressing national housing challenges.

In January 2026, she will host a landmark roundtable bringing together senior city leaders, housing experts, and CEOs to shape national housing policy—a gathering made possible through her reputation and network. Joanna’s work combines leadership, mentorship, diversity advocacy, and strategic connection-making, delivering measurable benefits to careers, businesses, and Birmingham’s wider community.

&Evolve

&Evolve is an award-winning employee engagement consultancy that helps organisations improve productivity by creating thriving workplace cultures. Using behavioural science combined with practical experience, they’ve developed tools like the Values Alignment Index®, validated by Chartered Occupational Psychologists, to transform performance.

Over the past year, &Evolve has delivered leadership development for 150 leaders at Calisen, won the 2025 Personnel Today Award for Workplace Culture, and achieved finalist status in multiple HR Excellence Awards, while their founder was recognised in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme. Their work spans leading UK organisations including BUPA, Asda, Dunelm, Chester Zoo and TrustFord, consistently earning praise for improving both people and organisational performance.

Beyond client work, &Evolve shares expertise through thought leadership, white papers, podcasts, and voluntary judging of global business awards. Their mission is to evolve workplace cultures where people thrive, combining measurable impact with lasting industry influence.

Visit Knowle

Visit Knowle is a predominantly voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting local independent businesses and promoting the village. Over the past year, they have grown voluntary business membership to 130 members, delivered over 1,600 volunteer hours, and increased footfall through events, networking, and community engagement.

Beyond promotion, Visit Knowle acts as an advocate and connector, meeting regularly with Solihull Council, local councillors, and MPs to raise business concerns, particularly around issues like parking and high street vacancies. Their work has helped reduce vacancy rates from 19% to 13.5% and strengthened relationships with landlords and community groups.

They provide practical support through professional photoshoots, newsletters, WhatsApp groups, and connecting businesses to grants and media opportunities. By amplifying local voices, fostering collaboration, and addressing both strategic and day-to-day challenges, Visit Knowle helps businesses develop, thrive, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient community.

Rachael Jackson

Rachael is the franchise owner of WIBN Birmingham, leading with a people-first approach and a passion for supporting women entrepreneurs. Since September 2024, she has grown a single networking group in Solihull into six groups, creating an accessible, positive community that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and business growth.

In 2025, she was recognised as Networker of the Year and WIBN Associate of the Year. Rachael provides complimentary memberships to charities such as YMCA, Friends of Isaac Foodbank, and Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer, and engages the wider community through media appearances, school talks, and volunteering.

Neurodiverse and dyslexic, Rachael uses her creativity and problem-solving skills to empower others, removing barriers and promoting inclusivity. She mentors members, builds strategic connections, and encourages younger women to develop confidence and leadership skills. Her work combines leadership, personal support, and community impact, helping women and businesses across Birmingham thrive.

Kim Wildborne

Kim Wildborne is the Artistic Director and CEO of West Midlands Circus Centre (WMCC), transforming it into a nationally recognised hub for inclusive circus arts and physical theatre. She leads with a people-first approach, making the arts accessible to children, young people, adults, and those with SEND, while fostering community cohesion across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Under Kim’s leadership, WMCC launched the region’s first BA Degree in Circus Arts & Physical Theatre, expanded outreach to schools, charities, and community groups, and prioritised inclusion, employing disabled artists and amplifying diverse voices. Her initiatives, like the Make Me Visible programme, combine social impact with creative excellence.

Kim also mentors emerging artists, promotes flexible and family-friendly workplaces, and drives sustainability and accessibility improvements at WMCC. Through visionary leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to inclusion, she has created a thriving, accessible, and socially impactful cultural organisation that benefits both individuals and the wider Greater Birmingham community.

Robert Bull

Robert Bull is the Managing Director of Translift Bendi and a long-standing leader who has guided the company through significant growth and transformation. Joining as Financial Controller, he quickly rose through the ranks by addressing financial challenges and driving acquisitions, growing turnover from £15 million to £25 million while strengthening profit, operations, and long-term stability.

Robert’s leadership extends beyond performance metrics. Drawing on his Royal Marine background, he demonstrates resilience and determination, motivating teams through challenges and fostering a workplace culture built on respect, balance, and collaboration. He represents the company with pride, engaging with customers, colleagues, and stakeholders to uphold its values and vision.

As a committed leader and ambassador for Translift Bendi, Robert combines strategic focus, operational excellence, and people-first leadership, creating lasting impact for both the business and its employees.

Talbots Law

Talbots Law is a leading regional law firm and one of Acorns Children’s Hospice’s most valued corporate partners. Over the past three years, they have raised £116,964, funded 2,599 hours of specialist care, and supported 90 overnight hospice stays, directly benefiting children and families across Birmingham, the Black Country, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Coventry, and Warwickshire.

Their support goes far beyond fundraising, embedding social impact into the firm through sponsorships, volunteering, payroll giving, and innovative initiatives. Colleagues participate in major events like Bubble Rush and Worcester City Runs, as well as grassroots challenges, creating a visible culture of giving.

Talbots Law combines long-term commitment, regional engagement, and people-powered initiatives to deliver measurable impact. Their partnership with Acorns exemplifies authentic corporate responsibility, helping expand services, raise awareness of children’s palliative care, and strengthen communities, leaving a lasting and transformative legacy across the West Midlands.