Paul Sheppard, Managing Director of Simitive has been recognised as One to Watch in The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2026.
The programme was created by private equity investor LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, in partnership with The Times. Since 2018, it has celebrated the ambition and achievements of hundreds of exceptional entrepreneurs.
This year The LDC Top 50 attracted more than 620 nominations from across the UK, highlighting the depth of ambition among leaders building successful businesses in every region and sector.
The leaders featured are driven by an appetite for growth that is helping to build stronger, more sustainable businesses and a more competitive UK economy. They are expanding internationally, developing new products and services, challenging established markets and investing in their people.
Together, their businesses generate £1.4bn in annual revenues and employ almost 8,500 people. Headquartered in 55 towns and cities, they demonstrate the contribution that medium-sized businesses make to their communities and the wider UK economy.
The Ones to Watch are leaders whose achievements and ambition have already set them apart. Each has made significant progress and shown the potential to take their business even further in the years ahead.
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, added: “This year’s Ones to Watch have already achieved a great deal, but it is their ambition for what comes next that sets them apart. They are building exciting businesses and have demonstrated the ambition needed to thrive. I would like to congratulate them all on their success so far. We look forward to following their progress and seeing where their ambition takes them next.”