With thanks to our judging panel for 2026

Jeffrey Ball | RBC Brewin Dolphin

Amy Coates | VONNE

Ngozi Lyn Cole | South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Charity

Michelle Cooper MBE | Point North

Professor Sir Alan Craft

Lisa Goodwin | Connected Voice

Hannah Mackay-Christie | Community Foundation North East

Beth Major | The Junction Foundation

Nitin Shukla DL | Haven Tyneside

Kate Welch OBE DL| Social Enterprise Acumen CIC

Graeme Whitfield | The Journal

...and to our guest judges

Derk Bleeker & Annett Hegna | Sage

Jamilah Hassan | Banks Group

Samantha Pritchard | Muckle LLP

Cullagh Warnock | Millfield House Foundation