Mike Shipp named one of the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2026
Mike Shipp, Co-founder and Director at Carbon3, has been recognised as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2026.
The programme was created by private equity investor LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, in partnership with The Times. Since 2018, it has celebrated the ambition and achievements of hundreds of exceptional entrepreneurs.
This year The LDC Top 50 attracted more than 620 nominations from across the UK, highlighting the depth of ambition among leaders building successful businesses in every region and sector.
The leaders featured are driven by an appetite for growth that is helping to build stronger, more sustainable businesses and a more competitive UK economy. They are expanding internationally, developing new products and services, challenging established markets and investing in their people.
Together, their businesses generate £1.4bn in annual revenues and employ almost 8,500 people. Headquartered in 55 towns and cities, they demonstrate the contribution that medium-sized businesses make to their communities and the wider UK economy.
As a 17-year-old apprentice plumber, Mike Shipp helped deliver one of the UK’s first solar panel installations under the Clear Skies Programme, “It sparked my interest in renewables.” Together with three friends (Paul, Ian and Sam), Mike started Carbon3 to help organisations, from schools and hospitals to stadiums and social housing, cut carbon emissions through renewable energy.
The business recently opened a training centre to help close a skills gap in the sector and is on track for £30 million turnover. Growth is expected to accelerate through various drivers, “Everyone’s behind renewables now. For the first time, we’re not fighting against anything. We can go from strength to strength.”
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, added: “What stands out about this year’s LDC Top 50 is not only what these leaders have already achieved, but their determination to keep moving forward. Across the UK, they are finding new opportunities, investing in their people and building for the future. I congratulate every leader featured this year and wish them continued success.”
Read more about Mike Shipp here: https://www.ldc.co.uk/top-50/mike-shipp/