The BD100 – 2021 Nominations are now open!

Since 2017, The BD100 awards have been celebrating the best – in the business of business development. This year’s nominations are now open to identify the UK’s most influential business developers in 2021.

The annual BD100 List ranks the UK’s top 100 business developers – it’s a showcase of the brightest talent driving client-agency relationships in UK marketing today. We shine a light on the skills, the pitches, the wisdom and the techniques of the best in the business – of business development.

Co-founder of The BD100, Richard McHardy describes the purpose and importance of The BD100: “There are 20,000 or so creative agencies in the UK – that’s a lot of underrepresentation, so The BD100 was established to shine a light on the agency business development profession and the superstar people who work it.”

The BD100 list is always full of inspiring and high performing business developers. In addition to the list, each year The BD100 also recognises the Business Developer of The Year, Rising Star, BD Team of The Year and New Business Win of The Year. As well as providing well deserved recognition for all those that make The BD100, it has had a big impact on all our winners, as their careers continue to skyrocket. Whilst providing opportunities to share experience with others and connect with the BD community.

2020’s Business Developer of the Year, Bianca McLeish from Publicis Groupe has since progressed to Content Director & Global Business Development and admitted life after winning has been ‘awesome’ and was “blown away by the recognition received across the industry and within the agency”. Her winning streak continued with her inclusion on Campaign’s 2021 Female Frontier list. Meanwhile, last year’s Rising Star, Alana Herington, has gone from strength to strength at Ketchum London, with Alana championing a better understanding of business development, internally and externally, with the belief that “there’s no business like new business!”. 

As The BD100 continues to shine the light on all the amazing business developers in the UK, this year’s partners include DNA Recruit, ALF , Kulea, Making Moves London and Propeller Group, who are all big champions of agency new business. Here’s what Ali Wallace, Founder & MD of DNA had to say on the importance of The BD100: “For too long, business development professionals have lacked the acclaim or recognition they deserve. This has been a huge oversight as business development professionals are the lifeblood of any agency. The BD100 shines a spotlight on the individuals who are making a real difference to the bottom line. Plus, we’re all really competitive – so it’s perfect!”

The BD100 awards event will again combine with Winning Together, a virtual conference dedicated to BD during November 2021. The theme for this year’s Winning Together event will explore how business developers and agencies can successfully navigate the changing new business landscape, combining high-profile keynote speakers, live panel discussions, expert tips and insights from The BD100, interactive workshops and coaching sessions. Exciting announcements on this coming soon!


First there is the task of working out who should be on this year’s BD100 list. If you know a business developer who has really impressed you this year and should be on The BD100 list, then click here to nominate them and make sure they get the recognition they deserve.