YTKO is delighted to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Lee Hughes, has been named Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 – Professional Services at the prestigious BASA Awards.
The award recognises outstanding entrepreneurial achievement, innovation and leadership within the UK’s professional services sector, celebrating individuals who demonstrate the ambition, drive and determination to build successful businesses and deliver meaningful impact.
The BASA Awards celebrate excellence, resilience, creativity and passion across the UK’s small business community, recognising the invaluable contribution that entrepreneurs and smaller businesses make to the economy and society.
Recognising Entrepreneurial Leadership and Impact
As CEO of YTKO, Lee Hughes has played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s position as one of the UK’s established providers of business support, enterprise development and skills training.
Under his leadership, YTKO continues to help entrepreneurs, start-ups, growing businesses and established organisations overcome challenges, unlock opportunities and achieve sustainable growth.
YTKO’s track record includes supporting more than 70,000 individuals and 30,000 businesses, helping to create over 17,000 jobs and enabling businesses to raise more than £100 million in finance.
The organisation delivers a diverse portfolio of programmes across the UK, working with local authorities, government bodies, economic development organisations and other partners to support entrepreneurship, business growth, digital transformation and workforce development.
Recent achievements include the delivery of Skills Bootcamps, the Hertfordshire Growth Hub, the New Forest’s Click & Connect digital inclusion programme and Digital Skills for All, alongside a range of business growth and enterprise support initiatives.
A Commitment to Innovation and Sustainable Growth
Lee’s leadership reflects the entrepreneurial qualities celebrated by the BASA Awards: innovation, resilience, ambition and a commitment to making a difference.
In 2025, YTKO transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s development and reinforcing its commitment to long-term sustainability, employee engagement and shared success.
This latest award adds to a growing collection of accolades recognising both Lee’s leadership and YTKO’s contribution to business growth and economic development.
Lee has also been recognised as CEO of the Year at the ACQ5 Global Awards 2026, while YTKO has received multiple awards for its work supporting entrepreneurs, SMEs and communities across the UK.
Celebrating Success Across the UK Business Community
The BASA Awards recognise the achievements of small businesses across a wide range of industries, highlighting the creativity, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that drive the UK’s economy forward.
Lee’s success in the Professional Services category is a further endorsement of the leadership, innovation and commitment to impact that underpin YTKO’s work.
Everyone at YTKO congratulates Lee on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to building on the organisation’s achievements as it continues to help businesses and individuals realise their potential.