The BD100 Awards 2026

Now in its eighth year, The BD100 Awards has become a standout celebration of excellence in business development, recognising the individuals and teams driving real commercial impact across the industry.

The BD100 Awards 2026 brings this community together for an evening of insight, connection and celebration - combining insightful content with meaningful networking and industry recognition. From inspiring keynotes to honest panels, the event explores what it truly takes to win in today’s high-pressure environment.

At its heart, the night celebrates achievement, with awards honouring the very best in business development - from rising stars to industry leaders - alongside standout teams and new business wins. The evening also recognises the strength of the BD100 community, including Hall of Fame inductees and moments of reflection.

The BD100 Awards 2026 is supported by our partners - DNA, JFDI, ALF Insight, Propeller, HubSpot, Tracksuit, Verity Relationship Intelligence, MAD//Masters, BAM Karaoke Box, Agency by Agency and The Drum - who share a commitment to championing the business development community.

Info: Featuring Mark Osikoya (CEO, Commonwealth Games England) and Ellis Trowbridge (Team GB boxer), moderated by Amanda Rosevear (ALF Insight).
In this high-energy fireside chat, Mark and Ellis break down what it really takes to perform under pressure. Drawing sharp parallels between elite sport and high-stakes business - from partnerships and personal branding to pitching and performance - they’ll explore the roles of physical and mental fitness, resilience, preparation, and recovery in staying ahead.
Expect practical takeaways on building stamina, handling setbacks, and delivering when it matters most - whether you’re stepping into the ring or the boardroom.

Info: The BD100 Hall of Fame recognises an elite group of BD100 members who have made The BD100 in five consecutive years. It’s an amazing feat and unsurprisingly, there are only a few new members each year. In this segment of the evening we shine a light on the newcomers.

Info: The BD100 is a community. Communities share wins and losses, joy and pain together. We recently lost a BD100 legend, a Hall of Famer and we will pay tributes to Gareth at this point in the evening.

Info: This supercharged panel features inaugural BD100 winner Fran Brook (Havas), Business Developer of the Year 2020 Bianca McLeish (Publicis) and BD100 Hall of Famer Steve Garside (TMW) and is hosted by Rich McHardy. The participants will share candid insights based on their real-world experiences to unpack what it truly takes to be a new business winner.

Info: Emma Harris is the founder of Glow London and the catalyst behind the Slow The F*ck Down movement. After an early career in FMCG, Emma spent a decade leading sales & Marketing for Eurostar before setting up Glow London, working with leadership teams and organisations to cut through complexity, align around what really matters and unlock momentum. As Chair of the Marketing Academy Global alumni programme and a Fellow of the Marketing Society, Emma is considered one of the leading voices shaping the future of marketing leadership. Known for her straight-talking, energising style, Emma encourages everyone to make more meaningful choices and find clarity on what matters most, both in and out of work. She’ll leave event attendees invigorated yet mindful of how to prioritise as the rollercoaster ride of 2026 continues.

Info: Time for the winners to take the stage! We will announce New Business Win of the Year, Business Development Team of the Year, Rising Star and our BD100 Business Developer of the Year for 2026! We will also present The Industry Impact Award to a member of our community who has gone above and beyond in the name of agency growth over a sustained period.

Info: Time for refreshments and to reacquaint yourselves with old friends - and make new ones.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Drum Labs, 25-27 Curtain Road, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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