A Shavington businesswoman has been crowned the “British Entrepreneur of the Year” in the tech category for 2025.
Kate Longworth won the title for her teaching business which helps children with ADHD and autism.
We revealed back in June how Kate, CEO of Gaia Learning, had been named as a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Now she has scooped the title, and she paid tribute to her staff in her small business of 15 people which operates nationwide and supports children who struggle in school.
She said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to win such a prestigious award and a marker of the dedication and hard work of our team.
“I am incredibly honoured to have accepted this on behalf of Gaia Learning as a reflection of the work we do supporting SEN learners.
“Now as I go to get married on 6th December I’ll be taking a short break before diving into an exiting 2026!”
Kate says she was inspired to launch the business because of the experience of her 11-year-old daughter Poppy.
Known as “The Grammys of Entrepreneurship”, the awards celebrate exceptional and inspiring business stories from across the UK.
Past winners include the founders of BrewDog, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch, and Unbiased.
Kate said: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised alongside some of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious businesses.
“This recognition is a huge testament to the hard work of our team and our mission to create inclusive, personalised education that empowers neuro-divergent learners to thrive.”
Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, added: “The quality of entries gets stronger every year, and it’s clear the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK is more alive than ever.
“Many of our finalists go on to become household names, and we can’t wait to watch what this year’s cohort achieves next.”
Conrad Ford, chief product and strategy officer at Allica, said: “This year’s finalists – from early-stage start-ups to established and family businesses – represent a vital force in the British economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and making a real difference in their communities.”
Winners were announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on November 17 at London’s Grosvenor House.
For more information about Gaia Learning, visit www.gaialearning.co.uk
Very well done Kate. I presume you went to Shavington High School? Wishing you all the best for the future. Frances Latham