We’re so proud to see that four Baltic Creative tenants have been named in the BIMA 100 – class of 2021!
Every year, BIMA celebrates 100 of the people who are leading the tech and digital industry right now – leaders, pioneers, entrepreneurs and changemakers – the people we look up to. The award ceremony is one of the biggest nights in the digital industry’s calendar, attended by (amongst others) the top 100 brightest digital stars, judges and the wider digital community.
Our tenants who have been awarded the BIMA 100 accolade are listed below. Congratulations to you all – well deserved!
Tech Trailblazers
Jayne Leponis, Director at Booboo Technical & Creative Ltd
A worthy winner because…
Jayne’s Dad caught covid in hospital and spent most of last year in hospital. Dad came home but is a long covid sufferer and is currently, unable to walk. Her Mum caught covid while at home, possibly from all the healthcare workers helping with her Dad. Although her Mum recovered well after a fortnight in hospital, Mum’s mobility is poor and needs help. Despite a really difficult and trying time in her personal life, not to mention being a Mummy and home schooling her little boy, Thom and being a full time carer for her parents; Jayne has still managed to devote her time to the business, do a marketing course at Manchester Met and research new technology, finding new ways of developing her tracking vehicle and pushing the boundaries of technology that has not been used for this type of vehicle. A big company who we wont mention copied her vehicle and even tried to copy the name. However, on her own she showed real strength of character and resilience and continues to build on her achievements so far.
Students and Apprentices
Zoe Darracott – Market Researcher & Wellbeing Lead at MGISS
A worthy winner because…
Zoe didn’t just do wellbeing for wellbeing sake. It wasn’t a one hit wonder to show that the company is invested in wellbeing. Zoe grabbed it by the horns and ran with it in many different ways and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. From colleague engagement in the office all the way through to checking in with remote members of staff, Zoe always has a lending ear. At any point staff morale is down, she becomes committed to lifting colleagues spirits. Zoe is definitely a valued member of staff. Zoe is currently carrying out a Psychology Degree – 2nd year.
Rising Stars
Ben Dalton, Programme manager at Agent Academy CIC
A worthy winner because…
Ben’s passion to support young people and those underrepresented communities is without limits. Evidence of this passion can be found in the work he has carried out in the last 18 months outside of his day-to-day role, including:
Being invited to join Liverpool City Region’s Skills Commission board in order to influence and shape skills/education policy for the digital, creative and tech industry at a regional level.
Initiated and organised ‘Pride Connect’ an event to promote LGBTQ+ diversity in the digital industry by bringing together over 200 people for a celebratory event as part of Liverpool Pride month.
Gaining place on Ideas for Liverpool, the emerging leadership programme by Arup, which set out to radically disrupt and change local societal issues, by bringing together emerging leaders from across sectors, to challenge inequality in the local community.
Ben is the perfect role model for aspiring young creatives, especially those who may be battling adversity to join the industry. Ben didn’t have any formal higher education or existing industry connections when he started out and his success demonstrates to others that hard work, passion and creative talent is what matters the most.
Already Ben has achieved so much but this is just the start. It’s encouraging to see a rising star with such strong values coming through.
CEO’s and Leaders
Zoe Wallace, Director at Agent Marketing
A worthy winner because…
Zoe’s passion for every project she works on is awe-inspiring. Whether it’s growing Agent Academy’s offer and creating opportunities, securing funding for and leading new product launches such as LEAP, or running pro-bono lobbying campaigns like Tyred, she puts 110% of her energy into everything she does.
Zoe is an inspiration and role model to all of the learners who go through Agent Academy’s programmes as well as her team, and is incredibly focused on providing young people with the skills they need to enter the world of work and kickstart successful careers, as well as providing the industry with a diverse talent pipeline, that is fit for purpose.
Find out more about the full BIMA 100 list here.
