YTKO is celebrating an outstanding four category wins at the ACQ5 Country Awards 2026, recognising our business development expertise, commitment to our clients, transition to employee ownership and the leadership of CEO Lee Hughes.
YTKO has received the highest number of validated nominations in four UK categories:
UK – Elite Consultancy of the Year (Business Development) – YTKO Ltd
UK – Client Care Consultancy of the Year – YTKO Ltd
UK – Employee-Owned Consultancy of the Year – YTKO Ltd
UK – Elite Business Development Leader of the Year – Lee Hughes, YTKO Ltd
Together, the four awards provide wide-ranging recognition of not only what YTKO delivers, but how we deliver it and the people and values behind our work.
Recognition from the industry
Established in 2006, the ACQ5 Country Awards recognise organisations and individuals making significant contributions within their respective markets, celebrating corporate pioneers and firms demonstrating operational excellence.
The awards are determined through an open, independently moderated industry voting process.
Voting for the 2026 Country Awards closed in August following an exceptional 112,924 nominations.
Voters assessed nominees against criteria including professionalism, experience, value for money and responsiveness, with only those achieving an average rating of four stars or above progressing to the shortlist.
YTKO received the highest number of validated nominations in each of its three organisational categories, with Lee Hughes achieving the same distinction in the Elite Business Development Leader category.
For us, that makes this recognition particularly meaningful. It reflects perceptions of YTKO not only as a business development consultancy, but as an organisation committed to delivering high-quality support and genuine value for the businesses, clients and partners we work with.
Recognising business development expertise
Being named UK Elite Consultancy of the Year for Business Development goes to the heart of what YTKO has been doing for more than 40 years.
We help entrepreneurs and SMEs identify opportunities, overcome barriers and develop the capabilities they need to achieve sustainable growth.
Our work combines strategic expertise with practical support. Whether a business needs to strengthen its growth strategy, reach new markets, access finance, develop its leadership, improve productivity or build new skills, our focus is always on helping turn ambition into action.
Throughout our history, YTKO has supported more than 35,000 businesses, contributed to the creation of over 18,000 jobs and helped businesses secure more than £100 million in finance.
Putting our clients at the heart of delivery
The Client Care Consultancy of the Year award is equally important to us.
High-quality business support starts with understanding the people and organisations we work with.
Every entrepreneur has different ambitions. Every business faces different challenges. And every commissioner and partner operates within a different economic and community context.
Our job is to listen, understand and respond – bringing together expertise and experience with a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
To have that approach recognised through an industry-voted award is something of which our whole team can be proud.
Celebrating our employee-owned future
Our third organisational award – UK Employee-Owned Consultancy of the Year – is particularly special.
YTKO transitioned to Employee Ownership in 2025, marking a significant new chapter in our history and giving our people a greater stake in the organisation they help to build.
Employee ownership reflects the collaborative culture we want for YTKO’s future: one where colleagues have a stronger voice, share in our success and play an active role in shaping what comes next.
Receiving this recognition so early in our employee ownership journey is an important milestone for everyone at YTKO.
Recognising leadership
CEO Lee Hughes has also been named UK Elite Business Development Leader of the Year, recognising his leadership and contribution during a period of significant organisational development and transformation.
Lee Hughes said:
“To receive four awards across such different areas is a fantastic achievement for YTKO and something our entire team should be incredibly proud of.
“What I particularly value about these awards is the breadth of that recognition. They acknowledge our business development expertise and the way we care for our clients, while also recognising our transition to employee ownership and the people who will shape YTKO’s future.
“I am personally honoured to receive the Business Development Leader award, but leadership is never about one individual. The results we achieve come from the expertise, commitment and determination of colleagues across YTKO.
“I would also like to thank our clients, partners and the thousands of businesses and individuals who put their trust in us. They are ultimately why we do what we do.”
Four awards, one shared purpose
These four ACQ5 Country Awards recognise different aspects of YTKO, but they are all connected by one thing: our commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact.
Whether we are helping an entrepreneur build a stronger business, working with a commissioner to address an economic challenge, supporting people to develop new skills or shaping YTKO’s future as an employee-owned organisation, our purpose remains the same.
To create opportunities, unlock potential and deliver sustainable economic and social impact.
Receiving four ACQ5 Country Awards is fantastic recognition of what our people have achieved – and further motivation for what we want to achieve next.
