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40 years of celebrating success

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the plc awards is usually held in February or March every year and is open to all those companies listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange – colloquially known as the “plc club”. The success of the awards has led to it being broadened out to include FTSE100 companies as well as the FTSE250, FTSE Small Cap and Fledgling indices. Our aim is to truly make it ‘the’ City event of the year and to allow all Main Market publicly quoted companies, of whatever size, the chance to be rewarded and recognised for their successes and achievements.

Once again, this year we have widened the criteria for each category to give full emphasis to ESG practices – covering well known environmental issues, along with social issues and governance matters. Due regard will be given to adherence to current ESG Best Practice and any demonstrable ESG policies that have directly impacted decision making.

The event is attended by plc company chairmen, CEOs, CFOs, investment bankers, fund managers, analysts, IR executives, corporate advisers and pre-IPO companies.

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the 2024 voting panel

 
testimonials from the 2023 awards

Jo Gilbey, Partner & Head of Public Markets at BDO LLP and Hannah Scarborough, Head of Marketing and BD and Board Adviser, BDO LLP: 
“We wanted to send a quick note on behalf of BDO to congratulate you all on another excellent plc Awards evening. Feedback collected from our attendees so far has been really positive (as ever), with lots of good things to say about Bim Afolami and Reverend Richard Coles. It was a terrific evening, so thank you all”.

Chris McVey , Senior Fund Manager, Quoted Companies, Octopus Investments:
“May I express my huge thanks to you all for organising such a fantastic event last week. The event was upbeat and much better attended from an institutional perspective than in recent years. It was great catching up with so many friends and associates and I thought both speakers were excellent. Thanks also once again for involving me in the voting panel – again a great chance to debate views with peers from across the market and a thoroughly enjoyable evening”.

James Wood , Corporate Analyst, Winterflood Securities: 
“Many thanks to you all for another terrific evening, with, in my view, the best after dinner speakers yet, including Bim Afolami, who stayed around to present the awards”. 

Tom Hinton, Group Director, London Stock Exchange plc:
“Well done on a great event. I thought it went very well and all of our guests thoroughly enjoyed it. Good after dinner speaker as well”.

Samantha Myers, Partner, Public Companies & Capital Markets, Gowling WLG: 
“Huge thanks to you guys for last night’s plc Awards, we all had a great time. A few people mentioned how slick it was and they liked the award presentation process this year. Richard Coles was brilliant – very well received all round”.

Fraser Ramzan, Head of Investor Relations, Marks and Spencer (Award winner):
“Thank you so much for organising such a successful and enjoyable event. I know so much organisation goes into these, so I do hope the team are having a well earnt rest today!”

Bianca D’Orsi, Corporate Communications Manager, External Communications, Rolls-Royce plc (Award winner):
“Thanks for a fantastic evening. Honoured to have been awarded Company of the Year!”

Sponsors

Awards

covering the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

shortlist announced

 shortlist

click on each award below to view more information & photos

best investor communication award

Sponsored by:

transaction of the year award

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growth business of the year award

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tech business of the year award

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transformation of the year award

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fund manager award

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corporate governance award

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breakthrough of the year award

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CEO of the year award

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new company of the year award

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company of the year award

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Voting panel

Voting panel meeting: Thursday 23 January 2025

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Ian Restall

Ford Sinclair Ltd

(Voting panel Chairman)

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Roland Arnold

BlackRock Investment Management

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Louise Barber

Squire Patton Boggs

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Georgina Brittain

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Oliver Brown

RC Brown

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James Burt

Berenberg

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Guido Dacie-Lombardo

Montanaro Asset Management

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James Devon

London Stock Exchange

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Philip Dicken

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

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Erika Eliasson-Norris

Beyond Governance

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David Farrell

Jefferies

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Laura Foll

Janus Henderson Investors

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Alex Hardwicke

Singer Capital Markets

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Dan Harlow

AXA Investment Managers

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Robert Irvin

RMS Partners

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Stephen Joseph

RBC Capital Markets

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Mark Lander

Deutsche Numis

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Henry Lowson

Royal London Asset Management

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Anna Macdonald

Aubrey Capital Management Ltd

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Chris McVey

Octopus Investments

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James Morris

Citi Commercial Bank

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George O’Connor

Technology Investment Services Ltd

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Catherine Pierre

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Jean Roche

Schroders

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Josh Royston

Alma Strategic Communications

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Alex Savvides

Jupiter Asset Management

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Neil Shah

Edison Group

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Julie Simmonds

Panmure Liberum

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Alice Squires

Rothschild & Co

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Richard Staveley

Harwood Capital Management Ltd

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Victoria Sugg

Emperor

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Leighton Thomas

BDO LLP

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Robert White

Legal & General Investment Management

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Stuart Widdowson

Odyssean Capital LLP

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Gervais Williams

Premier Miton Group plc

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James Wood

Winterflood Securities

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Ian Restall

Ford Sinclair Ltd (Voting panel Chairman)

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Roland Arnold

BlackRock Investment Management

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Louise Barber

Squire Patton Boggs

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Georgina Brittain

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Oliver Brown

RC Brown

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James Burt

Berenberg

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Guido Dacie-Lombardo

Montanaro Asset Management

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James Devon

London Stock Exchange

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Philip Dicken

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

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Erika Eliasson-Norris

Beyond Governance

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David Farrell

Jefferies

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Laura Foll

Janus Henderson Investors

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Alex Hardwicke

Singer Capital Markets

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Dan Harlow

AXA Investment Managers

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Robert Irvin

RMS Partners

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Stephen Joseph

RBC Capital Markets

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Mark Lander

Deutsche Numis

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Henry Lowson

Royal London Asset Management

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Anna Macdonald

Aubrey Capital Management Ltd

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Chris McVey

Octopus Investments

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James Morris

Citi Commercial Bank

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George O’Connor

Technology Investment Services Ltd

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Catherine Pierre

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Jean Roche

Schroders

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Josh Royston

Alma Strategic Communications

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Alex Savvides

Jupiter Asset Management

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Neil Shah

Edison Group

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Julie Simmonds

Panmure Liberum

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Alice Squires

Rothschild & Co

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Richard Staveley

Harwood Capital Management Ltd

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Victoria Sugg

Emperor

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Leighton Thomas

BDO LLP

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Robert White

Legal & General Investment Management

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Stuart Widdowson

Odyssean Capital LLP

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Gervais Williams

Premier Miton Group plc

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James Wood

Winterflood Securities

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Ian Restall

Ford Sinclair Ltd (Voting panel Chairman)

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Roland Arnold

BlackRock Investment Management

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Louise Barber

Squire Patton Boggs

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Georgina Brittain

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Oliver Brown

RC Brown

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James Burt

Berenberg

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Guido Dacie-Lombardo

Montanaro Asset Management

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James Devon

London Stock Exchange

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Philip Dicken

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

plc24_VP-pic_E.Ell-Norris.jpg

Erika Eliasson-Norris

Beyond Governance

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David Farrell

Jefferies

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Laura Foll

Janus Henderson Investors

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Alex Hardwicke

Singer Capital Markets

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Dan Harlow

AXA Investment Managers

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Robert Irvin

RMS Partners

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Stephen Joseph

RBC Capital Markets

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Mark Lander

Deutsche Numis

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Henry Lowson

Royal London Asset Management

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Anna Macdonald

Aubrey Capital Management Ltd

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Chris McVey

Octopus Investments

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James Morris

Citi Commercial Bank

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George O’Connor

Technology Investment Services Ltd

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Catherine Pierre

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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Jean Roche

Schroders

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Josh Royston

Alma Strategic Communications

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Alex Savvides

Jupiter Asset Management

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Neil Shah

Edison Group

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Julie Simmonds

Panmure Liberum

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Alice Squires

Rothschild & Co

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Richard Staveley

Harwood Capital Management Ltd

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Victoria Sugg

Emperor

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Leighton Thomas

BDO LLP

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Robert White

Legal & General Investment Management

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Stuart Widdowson

Odyssean Capital LLP

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Gervais Williams

Premier Miton Group plc

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James Wood

Winterflood Securities

Shortlist review

Read more about this year’s shortlisted companies by selecting an award below. Further award categories will be released shortly.

best investor communication award

sponsored by Rothschild & Co. Global Advisory


The 2024 shortlist: 


 

Babcock International Group plc

London-based Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security group providing support and product solutions to enhance its customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets.

The Voting Panel commended Babcock for its successful Capital Markets Days held in 2024, in addition to the group’s overall clarity and consistency of messaging. Babcock were observed to have a robust sustainability strategy and reporting, including recent SBT validation, and a simple and clean investor website with clear navigation. 

ESG: Babcock has produced an ESG Reporting Index to complement its integrated Annual Report which provides a broader range of ESG disclosures. The group uses two ESG reporting frameworks: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).


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Experian plc

Headquartered in Ireland, Experian is a global data and technology company. The group helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market.

Experian were observed as having impactful, purpose-led corporate communications. The group makes good use of QR codes and video content in the digital Annual Report and, interestingly, uses dynamic charting to present results. The website also benefits from CEO video content outlining Experian’s future strategy.

ESG: The group has created an ESG reporting hub. Its sustainability strategy is supported by Experian’s responsible business foundations and is underpinned by robust governance.


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Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc

London-based Hikma was founded over 45 years ago with the mission to make high-quality medicines accessible to those who need them. The group has an extensive portfolio of generic injectable products in addition to branded generics and in-licensed patented products.

A regular on this shortlist, the Voting Panel commented on Hikma’s clear, concise, easy to navigate reporting. The group conducted an excellent 2024 site visit, which included the opportunity to ‘Meet the Management’. Hikma’s website contains a ‘one stop shop’ document hub. The group regularly posts investor focused articles on social media.

ESG: Hikma demonstrates ESG considerations in all its decision making and is committed to operating a sustainable business. The group supports local communities through its healthcare initiatives and educational programmes.


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Kenmare Resources plc

Headquartered in Dublin, Kenmare is one of the world's largest producers of mineral sands products. The group operates the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in Mozambique and its production accounts for approximately 7% of global titanium feedstocks.

Kenmare recently conducted an investor perception study to inform the group’s strategy and IR programme. The group implemented a successful investor site visit to Mozambique, which was well received by stakeholders. Kenmare recently launched an engaging new website with animation and an interactive business model.

ESG: Kenmare set itself the target of reducing its carbon emissions by 12% during the next three years. The group launched KMAD, a not-for-profit development association in 2004, which invests US$3-5m in community initiatives in Mozambique each year.


 

Lloyds Banking Group plc

Lloyds Banking Group is a leading UK-based financial services group, based in London. The group provides a wide range of banking and financial services, focused primarily on retail and commercial customers.

Lloyds has an integrated, purpose-led narrative across all its communications. The group believes in  regular investor engagement and holds many events for the investor community. Lloyds has an embedded Annual Report page on its investor website and its half year results are well presented via video content from the CEO.

ESG: Lloyds have created a strategy entitled, ‘Helping Britain Prosper’, which aims to deliver sustainable growth and returns for the business. The group’s remuneration structures include ESG performance measures to drive progress towards its sustainability ambitions.


  

ZIGUP plc

Darlington-based ZIGUP is a leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. Its clients range from the largest of blue-chip corporates and local authorities through to sole traders.  

ZIGUP was commended for its regular investor engagement and analyst modelling meetings. The group recently launched a new brand and conducted a double materiality assessment to inform its sustainability strategy. The investor section of the website features an AI chat assistant, which is the first of its kind for a UK plc.

ESG: ZIGUP recently launched a new IR update newsletter, featuring ESG profiles and focus areas to keep stakeholders informed. The group is actively supporting industry engagement with government over regulations around the ZEV mandate and successfully encouraging a fast-track consultation.

transaction of the year award

sponsored by Alma Strategic Communications 


The 2024 shortlist: 


 

Breedon Group plc

Derby-based Breedon Group is a leading vertically-integrated construction materials group. Its products are used to build essential economic and social assets in structurally attractive end-markets with broad Government support and long-term pipelines.

In March 2024, Breedon completed its acquisition of US-based BMC Enterprises, a supplier of ready-mixed concrete, aggregates and building products headquartered Missouri, for an enterprise value of £238.1m. The deal enabled Breedon to launch a scalable third platform in the fragmented and growing US construction materials market and has the potential to be transformational for the business.

ESG: Breedon undertook a materiality assessment in 2020, which identified the key sustainability issues that could be most impactful. The results led the group to focus on material pillars of Planet, People and Places, underpinned by its fundamental operating Principles.


 

Grafton Group plc

Grafton Group is an international business headquartered in Dublin. The company operates trusted local brands with strong market positions in the distribution, manufacturing and DIY retail sectors of the building materials industry.

In October last year, Grafton Group acquired Spanish air conditioning and heating products distributor Salvador Escoda, for the sum of €132m. The transaction is consistent with Grafton's strategy of acquiring platform businesses with strong, unique propositions that can offer growth opportunities.  Spain is the fourth largest construction market in the EU and is forecast to have one of the fastest growing economies in Western Europe. The transaction is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full financial year. 

ESG: Grafton has committed to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050 and has received validation by the Science-Based Targets initiative of this target and the associated near and long-term targets.  


 

Harworth Group plc

Headquartered in Rotherham, Harworth Group is one of the leading land and property regeneration companies in the UK. The group owns and manages approximately 14,000 acres across around 100 sites in the North of England and the Midlands.

In June 2024, Harworth sold eight acres of land at its Skelton Grange site, a former power station in Leeds, for a total consideration of £106.6m. The transaction comprised 48 acres of land, which were sold to Microsoft for the development of a hyperscale data centre. The sale delivered an IRR to the company, in excess of 40%, in addition to returning an estimated inward investment of c.£4bn to the local economy. Harworth was the best performing Real Estate stock in the FTSE350 last year, finishing the year up 39.9%, which was in part due to this transaction. The group has subsequently been promoted to the FTSE 250.

ESG: The group has developed ‘the Harworth Way’, as a framework for integrating sustainability and social value into both its business and the developments it creates. This commitment to integrate sustainability and social value into its business is delivered through five pillars.


 

Pinewood Technologies Group plc

Based in Birmingham, Pinewood Technologies is a leading pure-play SaaS business providing innovative automotive retail solutions to the automotive industry. The group helps dealerships manage their operations efficiently through its cloud-based technology.

In April last year, Pinewood sold its UK motor business to US dealer giant, Lithia Motors, for £250m. The deal was part of Pinewood’s transformation strategy to become a pure-play SaaS business with an accelerated growth plan. Following the transaction, Pinewood returned £358m to shareholders, more than half the group’s current market cap, via a special dividend of 24.5p. Shares in Pinewood, have increased by 140% over the past year as a result of the transaction.

ESG: Pinewood complies with the main principles and specific provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code and has adopted a number of policies which further advance its corporate governance standards and statutory compliance.


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Volution Group plc

Crawley-based Volution is a leading supplier of ventilation products, catering to primary markets in the UK, Continental Europe, and Australasia. The group aims to enhance its customers’ experience of ventilation by reducing energy consumption and improving indoor air quality and comfort. 

Volution acquired Fantech last December for £112.9m. Fantech is a leading provider of commercial and residential ventilation in Australia and New Zealand. . The acquisition is the largest ever deal in Volution’s history, adding eight brands, 13 sites and  2,500+ customers to the group’s portfolio. The defining transaction was earnings accretive upon completion and significantly enhanced Volution’s market position in Australasia. 

ESG: ESG is integral to Volution’s business model and has been a priority in all Volution’s twenty-one acquisitions since its IPO in 2014. Volution will use its expertise in ESG to effect positive change on Fantech’s sustainability practices.


 

Zegona Communications plc

London-based Zegona was established in 2015 with the objective of investing in businesses in the European Telecommunications, Media and Technology sector. The group is led by former Virgin Media executives Eamonn O’Hare and Robert Samuelson. 

On 31 May 2024, Zegona completed the 100% acquisition of Vodafone Spain for €5.0bn. The transaction comprised €4.1bn in cash and €0.9bn in the form of redeemable preference shares and was hailed as the biggest reverse takeover in the European telecoms sector. As a result of the transaction, Zegona’s shares have soared by over 115%.

ESG: Zegona recognises its obligation to act responsibly, ethically and with integrity in its dealings with staff, suppliers and the environment as a whole. The business is committed to diversity and to meeting governance requirements.

growth business of the year award

sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs

The 2024 shortlist: 


 

Diploma plc 

London-based Diploma is an international group of businesses specialising in technical products and services across three core sectors: Life Sciences, Seals, and Controls. The group serves industries such as healthcare, industrial manufacturing and aerospace.

Diploma reported another year of impressive growth, despite the ongoing challenging environment. The group invested in six new businesses last year, which helped drive growth.  Its most notable acquisition was of Peerless Aerospace, which was well received by the market and resulted in Diploma shares rising 12%, to a record high. In addition, Diploma’s revenue diversification initiatives delivered strong, volume-led organic growth.

ESG: After acquiring a business, Diploma sets it on an accelerated path to meet ESG targets, materially outstripping the positive impact it could achieve as a standalone entity. The group educates its business leaders and functional teams about sustainability by setting stretching targets. 


 

Games Workshop Group plc

Nottingham-based Games Workshop is the largest and the most successful hobby miniatures company in the world. The group’s major brands are Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000. The company also holds a licence for The Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit tabletop battle game. 

Games Workshop continues to go from strength to strength with growth in its core miniatures business, in addition to IP licensing. The group recorded its strongest ever first-half, as demand for its Warhammer brand continued, resulting in pre-tax profits increasing by a third to £126.8m in the six months to end December 2024, and turnover rising by 20.9% to £299.5m. As a testament to the group’s impressive growth, Games Workshop entered the FTSE100 last year, thirty years after listing.

ESG: Games Workshop continues to support lifelong learning and training to develop the skills needed to enable its staff to be successful, including offering apprenticeship opportunities. The group remains very active in developing orderly succession plans for senior management roles.


 

JTC plc

Headquartered in Jersey, JTC is a global professional services business with deep expertise in fund, corporate and private client services. The group’s success is built on service excellence, long-term relationships and technology capabilities that drive efficiency and add value.

Over the past 36 years, JTC has achieved uninterrupted profitable growth, demonstrating the group’s resilience through numerous market cycles.  JTC's exceptional growth trajectory and strategic vision has underpinned its record-breaking financial performance, strategic acquisitions, and robust sustainability initiatives. The group’s achievements are supported by employee engagement initiatives, which contributed to £20.6m in new mandates in 2023—a 19.8% year-on-year increase and a new record for business wins, despite challenging market conditions. 

ESG: In 2024, JTC enhanced its commitment to sustainability with initiatives tied to its core focus areas of People, Data, and the Environment. The group celebrated ‘Ownership For All Day’, where shares amounting to c.£50m in value were distributed to all eligible current permanent employees.


 

Trainline plc

London-based Trainline is Europe’s leading independent rail platform, selling rail and coach tickets to millions of travellers worldwide. The group operates through three business segments: UK Consumer, International Consumer and Trainline Solutions.

As the largest online retailer of train tickets with over 50% market share, Trainline is benefiting from the market, which is increasingly moving online. In the six months to end August, the group more than doubled its operating profit to £49mn. Revenue generated by UK consumers also rose by 17% in the period to £106mn, while international sales increased by almost a fifth to £33mn. 

ESG: Trainline commits to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The group commits to near-term target reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% by 2030 and has participated in voluntary offsetting since FY2021.


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Trustpilot Group plc

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Trustpilot was created in 2007 with a simple yet powerful idea — to be the universal symbol of trust, bringing consumers and businesses together through reviews. Today, the group has more than 320m reviews and 70m monthly active users across the globe, with 140bn annual Trustbox impressions.

Trustpilot has performed well financially and kept its strategic promises. The business continues to grow impressively, and its business model has demonstrated high levels of growth. For the six months to end June 2024, the group reported its adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 10.6%, revenues increased 18% and bookings were up 20%. Trustpilot’s virality and brand adoption also continues to grow, supported by its strategy to focus on key sectors.

ESG: Trustpilot has a clear ambition to promote and protect trust and transparency. The group recently published its second Transparency Report, opening to scrutiny the workings of its business to demonstrate the scale of the safeguarding measures deployed as its platform grows.


 

XPS Pensions Group plc

Belfast-based XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions sector and providing wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.

XPS Group has continued to deliver for stakeholders, with growth demonstrated across all its business lines. The group enjoyed numerous new business wins, securing mandates from the largest and most complex pension schemes in the UK. XPS Group has reported a 23% revenue CAGR since IPO, in addition to consistent EPS growth. As a result of the group’s exceptional growth, the share price increased by 45% in 2024, in addition to delivering a healthy 3.4%+ dividend yield. 

ESG: The XPS board is 4/9 female, with 1 BAME, and 50% of employees are female. Mental health matters to XPS who have a host of in-house communities, supporting all employees. The group’s true flexible working has delivered productivity gains through the pandemic and beyond.

tech business of the year award

sponsored by RMS Partners  

 

The 2024 shortlist: 


  

Alfa Financial Software Holdings plc

Alfa Financial Software are the makers of Alfa Systems, used by asset finance companies worldwide. The group is headquartered in London, with offices in Lisbon, Metro Detroit, Auckland and Sydney, with customers based all over the world.

Alfa leads the way in every aspect of systems transformation projects, including data migration, extensible platforms and innovative delivery methods. The group’s world class, leading-edge technology enables it to compete with much larger global players, such as Oracle or SAP SE. During the period, Alfa’s pipeline conversion has been impressive, with total contract value surging 56% year on year to a new high of £205m.

ESG: Alfa was awarded the ‘Investors in People’ gold accreditation in 2022 and the group has been ranked in the Top 20 for Gold-accredited organisations of its size. Alfa produces a Sustainability Progress Report which summaries its achievements in the ESG space.


 

Baltic Classifieds Group plc

Headquartered in Lithuania, Baltic Classifieds (BCG) is the leading online classifieds group in the Baltics. The group owns and operates fourteen leading vertical and generalist online classifieds portals in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. 

BCG's online classifieds portfolio comprises four business lines – auto, real estate, jobs & services and generalist. The group’s portals are visited on average 55.8m times a month, making it one of the largest online companies in the region. BCG recently successfully implemented pricing and packaging changes for its C2C segment across all business units, resulting in a significant increase in yields across all the group’s business lines.

ESG: BCG’s portals connect buyers and sellers with pre-loved goods and give a second life to products, providing a channel of green commerce to divert secondary goods from landfill, recycling or disuse to help make the world a greener place.


 

Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc

Oxford Nanopore makes a novel generation of DNA/RNA sequencing technology providing rich data that is fast, accessible and easy to use. The group is headquartered in Oxford and its goal is to disrupt the way that biological analyses are currently performed.

Oxford Nanopore’s new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology is used in more than 125 countries to understand the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and whole environments. Oxford Nanopore’s technology recently played a crucial role in detecting and tracing a Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak, which can be extremely dangerous for pregnant women and people with weaker immune systems. The technology also allows surgeons to detect cancer variants real time, enabling time-critical diagnosis of potentially life-threatening diseases. 

ESG: Oxford Nanopore has contributed to critical advancements to monitor environmental data (eDNA), providing valuable data for biodiversity studies and environmental assessments.


 

RELX plc

London-based RELX develops information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers in the Risk, Scientific, Technical & Medical, Legal and Exhibitions sectors. The group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in around 40 countries. 

Over the past decade, RELX has transformed from a print-based publisher into an information-based analytics group, employing more than 9,000 technologists. The group is harnessing data and AI to build sophisticated analytics and decision tools that deliver enhanced value to its customers across its multiple business lines. RELX’s ‘tech-first’ strategy has reaped rewards for the business, with the group reporting an increase in underlying revenue growth of 7% during the period.

ESG: RELX believes its focus on ESG gives the group long-term competitive advantage.  At the end of 2024, Sustainalytics rated RELX among the top 100 globally out of more than 15,000 companies. It also achieved a AAA MSCI ESG rating for the ninth consecutive year. 


 

Rightmove plc

Milton Keynes-based Rightmove has the UK's largest selection of properties for sale and to rent. Over 80% of all time spent on property portals is on Rightmove's platform, with 96% brand awareness among home-movers. 

Rightmove employs over 300 technology professionals and data scientists, in addition to two AI squads, to maintain its market leading position. Every month, the technology teams carry out 2,000 minutes of user testing, 2,500 on-site surveys, 5,000 consumer surveys, and 1,500 conversations with account managers and directly with its partners. Rightmove has enhanced its user experience and internal efficiencies through recent AI developments, including a new AI-powered location tool, "Ask AI", which provides information about a property's surrounding area. 

ESG: Rightmove has been a carbon neutral business since 2019 and works consistently to reduce its carbon emissions and increase the amount of waste recycled in its three office locations. During the year its Go Greener initiative was created to drive the group’s contribution to the UK target of NetZero by 2050.


 

Sage Group plc

Newcastle-based Sage Group provides cloud business management solutions for SMBs. The group offers software for accounting, finance, payroll, and human resources and its products help businesses automate processes, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance. 

Sage has successfully transitioned into a global SaaS business, with a focus on innovation. During the period, the group continued to introduce new AI-powered products and services that delivered enhanced productivity, resulting in double digit ARR growth in addition to strong cash generation. Sage’s full year results reported pre-tax profit increased 51% to £426m.

ESG: Sage has supported thousands of entrepreneurs in underserved communities with loan funds and grants, in addition to helping develop STEM skills in over 10,000 young people in the UK.


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Trustpilot Group plc

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Trustpilot was created in 2007 to bring consumers and businesses together through reviews. Today, the group has more than 320m reviews and 70m monthly active users across the globe, with 140bn annual Trustbox impressions.

As a leading online platform for service reviews, Trustpilot deals with significant volumes of data. The group has adopted emerging generative AI techniques to provide new ways to derive valuable insights from all this data and use it in ways to ease the workload of customers. Trustpilot has continued to grow impressively, as has its virality and brand adoption, resulting in impressive growth and increased revenues. 

ESG: Trustpilot has a clear ambition to promote and protect trust and transparency. The group recently published its second Transparency Report, opening to scrutiny the workings of its business to demonstrate the scale of the safeguarding measures deployed as its platform grows.

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 all the 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 point 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.

email us


Key details for guests

Date:

Thursday 27 February 2025

Venue:

Grosvenor House Hotel
86-90 Park Lane, Westminster
London W1K 7TN

Start time:

6.00 p.m. – drinks reception
7.15 p.m. – dinner
12.00 midnight – carriages

Dress code:

Black tie

Charity collection:

A charity collection will be taken up during the course of the evening and the plc awards team will be available throughout to accept contactless donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Accommodation:

Grosvenor House Hotel
Guests of the event can use offer code EG4 to obtain approximately 20% discount on best available rate. You may either use the code to book online on Marriott website or you may use the below link to check availability and book. Kindly note that rates fluctuate and are subject to availability, so please book at the earliest opportunity.

book a room

Location:

Latest media

Charity

Since formation in 1987, the plc awards has held a charity collection principally for the benefit of child-focused charities. The total amount of money raised to date by attendees at plc awards dinners is over £650,000. Thank you so much for your generosity – the charities concerned are all extremely grateful. 

A charity collection will be held at the plc awards 2024 and the amount raised will be split equally between our two supported charities, BCCS and Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.


 
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.

www.bccs.org.uk
@bccs_charity


 
A parent never imagines their child will be diagnosed with a life limiting or life threatening condition. But when the unimaginable happens, Acorns Children’s Hospice steps in, helping families to cope at every stage of their child’s life, wherever and whenever they need it.  

The charity provides a range of services tailored to each child's clinical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs. This includes symptom management, rehabilitative respite, emergency and end-of-life care, bereavement support, and therapeutic activities that create lasting memories for families. 

www.acorns.org.uk