2026 Judges

We are hugely fortunate to have a fantastic panel of judges with a great diversity of experience across the legal world.

Let’s take a look at our judges for 2026.

More to be announced soon…

Gill Hunter, Managing Partner - Square One Law

Gill is the owner and the managing partner of commercial law firm, Square One Law, where she leads a team of highly talented people committed to delivering top quality service in a way that suits clients’ needs, not their own.

She joined Square One Law as Managing Partner in 2018 from a national law firm where she was head of technology. Throughout her career she has worked with a broad range of public and private sector clients from NHS trusts, universities and port authorities to biotech and ecommerce companies and engineering and manufacturing businesses.

As Managing Partner she is leading the firm forward with a vision for growth whilst preserving the entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to disrupt the status quo that have made the firm successful.

Gill believes that people are the firm’s key asset and is committed to creating a culture that is supportive, inclusive, and fun. In her view, there is nothing better than seeing talent within the business grow and thrive.

Gill is a tech and commercial lawyer by trade, with a specialism in IP and IT law and over 25 years’ experience working in commercial law firms. She is passionate about the creative and tech industries and tech as a facilitator for business growth. Previously, she has been involved in a non-executive capacity in a variety of creative, cultural and tech organisations.

She is determined - through her own firm - to reinvent the traditional lawyer stereotype by being more creative in advice and solutions and treating each clients’ business as if it were their own.

Gill is the host of Square One Law’s podcast ‘Fear Less. Do More’ which is all about sharing and championing the stories of inspiring and interesting people. She is also the vice chair of trustees at Disability North, a trustee of the West End Women and Girls’ Centre, chair of the NECC Digital Forum, a founding member of and mentor for the Northern Power Women’s Power Circle 150, Chair of the BCC Workplace Equity Commission, regional council member for NECC, business board member at the North East Combined Authority and a single mum of two children and an angry dachshund!

Ammar Mirza CBE MBA FRSA FIoEE FIoL

Ammar Mirza CBE is a multi-award-winning enterprise, investment and innovation leader whose work has supported the establishment and scale up of more than 15,000 businesses globally. Across two decades he has built a reputation not only as a respected architect of inclusive growth and entrepreneurial ecosystems, but also as a trusted financial strategist with deep expertise in commercial modelling, investment readiness, organisational governance and long-term value creation.
As Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group of Companies, Ammar oversees a diversified portfolio across consultancy, property, skills, health tech, media, international trade and digital innovation. The Group operates on a strong financial and commercial foundation, with Ammar personally leading investment decisions, financial planning, due diligence, risk management and capital structuring across its ventures. His unique 3IP model Innovation, Investment and Internationalisation supports’ businesses to secure finance, expand globally and build financially resilient, scalable models.
Ammar is the driving force behind the SME Centre of Excellence, which has helped thousands of SMEs start, survive and thrive through programmes emphasising financial capability, investor readiness, business modelling and sustainable growth planning. He is also the founder of the International Space Station ISS Group, home to ISS Airview at Newcastle International Airport and ISS Teesside within the UK’s operational Freeport. These hubs reduce friction for growing companies by providing commercially centred soft landing and launchpad services. They integrate workspace, advisory support, trade corridors, investment pathways and financial structuring to accelerate scale up and export activity.
With extensive experience across public, private and third sectors, Ammar has shaped regional and national economic development agendas. His portfolio includes advising on multimillion pound innovation programmes, supporting major organisations through financial transformation, developing new investment pathways, and strengthening governance across boards. His balanced approach blends strategic insight, financial discipline and a commitment to enabling businesses and communities to thrive.
Ammar serves on the Business Advisory Board of the North East Combined Authority, and previously chaired the North East LEP Business Board representing SMEs and trade bodies across the region. He is Founder and Chairman of Asian Business Connexions ABC, President of the Federation of Asian Business, Chair of the Health and Life Sciences Pledge, and Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs, and the Royal Society of Arts. He holds an MBA with Distinction, with strong grounding in accounting, finance, investment appraisal and organisational performance.
His commitment to inclusion and education led to the creation of the Primary Inspiration through Enterprise PIE Project, the first UK charity to embed enterprise and financial awareness within primary education. He also led the development of the world’s first Ofqual registered Level 6 qualification in Business Model Innovation, ensuring innovation and commercial literacy are accessible to both leaders and learners.
Ammar has played a pivotal role in shaping innovation ecosystems nationally, working with the Scale-Up Institute, MIT REAP and the NHS England Health Innovation Network. His work includes designing investment pathways, building commercialisation frameworks, strengthening financial readiness among clinical entrepreneurs, and connecting innovators with investors.
Recognised as one of the most influential Asian figures in the North East, Ammar has received numerous accolades. In 2014 he was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire CBE for outstanding services to business and the community. He has been named British Asian Entrepreneur of the Year, featured in the Maserati Top 100, Williams and Glyn Top 50, and honoured by the Institute of Directors and British Community Honours Awards.
His additional roles include Honorary Colonel of 101 Regiment Royal Artillery, former Chair of the Institute of Directors North East North, Northern Representative on the APPG for Ethnic Minority Business, and Trustee of Together TV. He is also Patron of Charlie Bear for Cancer Care and co-host of a long running business programme on Spice FM supporting Asian and wider communities through open, accessible financial and enterprise guidance.
Whether developing physical infrastructure such as trade and investment hubs, strengthening governance and financial resilience in organisations, designing nationally recognised qualifications, or championing community led enterprise, Ammar consistently delivers impact that endures. His work brings together People, Place and Programmes to create financially sustainable, innovation led opportunities that turn potential into prosperity at local, national and global scale.

2026 Judges

Alison Gittins, CEO of Durham Business Group