Judges

Hannah Duraid is a Multi-Award-Winning young entrepreneur behind the escape room attraction, The Great Escape Game. With her team of 48, they successfully deliver a fully immersive experience where players take on their chosen themed rooms and in true Crystal-maze style, they must solve a series of puzzles to escape before their time runs out!

Launched in 2015 with her partner Peter Lecole, Hannah set up their first site in Sheffield, armed with just her savings and pure determination. Today the business has developed across three sites, that include bar, lounge and corporate areas that serve an impressive food and beverage offering. The business has had over 165,000 players through their doors and with 16 escape rooms and they are proud to be home to Yorkshire's only 18+ escape game, as well as being the most technologically advanced in the country.  

Jillian Thomas is the founder and managing director of Future Life Wealth Management, one of the UK’s leading financial services firms and the 2nd female president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in 155yrs.

In her first year in business, she won New Business of the year, at the Sheffield Chamber awards, and the following year, the best newcomer in Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Awards for the BCCI

Jillian is an advocate of female entrepreneurship, highly respected in her field and a non-political commentator on public affairs. She is a regular contributor on the radio and television discussing all aspects of financial planning and promoting Sheffield and the City Region.  A valued mentor to her team, clients and other young professionals, Jill is committed to change the face of the financial industry, one where less than 4% of advisors are female, and the average age of the sector is 57.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher and never really ever considered going into business, apart from when I sold Jamaican sweets at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground. I think I was about ten. My mum made the syrupy coconut drops and I sold them for about 2p each. We sold the lot in 10 minutes. I told Mum she should have made more, she said I should have charged more.

"My teaching career started in Jordanthorpe School in Sheffield, right at the other end of town from Earl Marshal where I went to school. I didn't go very far from the city to do my teaching degree in Huddersfield, in the days when it was a Polytechnic.

"I started at Radio Sheffield in 2000, after having surgery which meant I needed a rest from teaching.

"I thought I would be on reception until I was well enough to go back to teach English at comprehensive schools, but here I am 18 years later and presenting the Mid Morning Show I have the privilege of talking to all sorts of great people in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire about their incredible lives!

"I admire anyone who has the courage to set up a business. I know the rewards can be great but the risks can be too; I don't envy all that responsibility for other people! The real challenge though is getting that big idea!"

Paulette Edwards – BBC Radio Sheffield Mid-Morning Presenter