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BBA 2024 Nominees: Entrepreneur of the Year

Written by BCCJ
October 16, 2024
British Business Awards

By the close of the British Business Awards 2024 (#BBA2024) nomination period, we recieved received 44 eligible nominations across six categories, showcasing a wide range of talent and innovation.

In the Entrepreneur of the Year category, the following 9 individuals/companies are now in contention for the coveted trophy.

BBA 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year

“Nominees for the Entrepreneur of the Year award must be individuals who exemplify entrepreneurialism and have created commercial success through an enterprising spirit over the past 12 months. Nominees will typically be leading non-listed organisations in Japan with 25 employees or fewer worldwide.”

BBA 2024 Responsible Business Nominees

(In alphabetical order)

Astris Advisory Japan (David Shirt)

Astris has been an entrepreneurial journey, founded from scratch with no external capital. During the border closures, we survived on sheer will. Post-COVID, we soared! Our team now 20 strong, working with industry giants like Sony, Honda, Mitsubishi Materials, and Seiko Epson. We’ve doubled revenues, expanded business lines, and secured major partnerships.

BLBG Co.,Ltd. (Toshiyasu Takubo)

Vulcanize London has led the way in importing British brands and promoting culture in Japan for 22 years, currently supporting over 80 diverse British brands.We go beyond the retail store, and this manifested itself in ‘The PLAYHOUSE’. Part-retail, part curated entertainment establishment has been leading the British retail evolution in Japan.

BLR World (Micah Styles)

Under the entrepreneurial leadership of Founder & CEO Micah Styles, BLR WORLD entered the Japan market in 2024, securing multi-million dollar contracts in its first year of trading and – as a key enabler and activator at Expo 2025 – its sights are set firmly on future development in Japan over the medium and long-term.

Hema Films LLC (Hemant Singh and Nodoka Matsumoto)

Hema Films, founded in 2023, achieved remarkable success in its first year. We produced and theatrically released our debut feature film in February 2024. Subsequently, we secured distribution across major Japanese platforms . This rapid progress from establishment to wide distribution demonstrates our entrepreneurship and efficiency in the film industr

Hobgoblin Japan Co Ltd (Mark Spencer)

Hobgoblin Japan Co. Ltd and its founder Mark Spencer are leading promoters of British produce particularly beers, cider and fine cheeses. HJCL makes a significant contribution to the UK community in Japan, while continuing to help new UK exporters to access the Japan market.

Malins Fish and Chips (Ryuhei Takizawa)

Malins Fish and Chips in Tokyo is applying for the British Business Awards 2024 to celebrate its success in bringing an authentic British dining experience to Japan. By blending tradition with innovation, Malins has become a cultural bridge, promoting British culinary heritage and excellence in the international market.

Sasuga Communications K. K. (Helen Iwata)

If Japan really wants more female leaders, we need to make it easier for them to excel in their work without feeling exhausted. Helen Iwata (the Less Effort More Impact Coach) and Team Sasuga! provide inspiration, education, and transformation to achieve that through corporate training, executive coaching, and a unique women’s success program and community.

Tokyo Family Stays G.K. (Tracey Northcott)

Introducing Tracey Northcott, founder of Tokyo Family Stays, a top name in family-friendly rentals. Her resilience and innovation helped the business thrive during the pandemic. By 2024, the company hosted 10,000+ guests, doubling properties yearly while offering expert local guidance. Tracey also inspires entrepreneurs and investors through her books, consulting, and speaking engagements.

Wild Tame Co.,Ltd. (Joseph Tame and Satoko Tame)

Driven by creativity and a passion for helping others, Joseph and Satoko Tame grew Wild Tame from a spare-room project into a thriving creative agency. Over the past year, they’ve expanded to 24 full-time creatives from 11 nationalities, completed 400+ projects, and generated nearly 300 million yen, while giving back through charity support.