Luke Consiglio of The Pantry has been named the UK’s Most Ambitious Business Leader as part of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2023.

Created by trusted investment partner LDC - part of Lloyds Banking Group, and supported by The Times, The LDC Top 50 champions the business leaders who are pushing for growth and building successful medium-sized businesses.

This year’s nominations were of an exceptionally high calibre and the competition was fierce, showcasing the drive and determination that unites business leaders across the UK.

The leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 are growing their businesses at home and overseas, making a positive contribution to society and driving progress against their sustainability goals. They hail from every corner of the UK and span every sector of the economy. Together, they employ more than 6,700 people and turn over more than £1.2bn.

The awards, presented last night at a celebratory event at BAFTA in London, were given out after an intense judging session, during which this year’s judging panel of Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts; Janette Martin, CEO of Talos360; John Garner, Managing Partner of LDC; and Kate Bassett and Bex Burn-Callander, editors of The LDC Top 50 2023 selected the final award winners.

The Pantry began life as a humble sandwich shop on Hayes High Street in 2006 –with ambitions to become something far greater. Now as a Contract Caterer with nearly 150 clients across the education sector, The Pantry are one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry, thanks to a unwavering commitment to staff support, client care and exceptional fresh food!

The judges commended Luke for the strength of his mission and values, his dedication to nurturing his team and the remarkable transformation of a small investment into an impressive business. Since buying a small sandwich shop, he has grown The Pantry into a £17m turnover contract caterer that employs 500 people and supplies some of the UK’s biggest names with corporate buffets and staff lunches as well as providing over 15,000 daily meals for schools. This commercial success combined with Luke’s commitment to do good by helping children eat well and understand the power of healthy foods, set him apart.

Luke Consiglio, Founder of The Pantry, said: “I’ve always been ambitious for The Pantry, but being named ‘Most Ambitious Business Leader’ was a very pleasant surprise, even for me!"

"It’s recognition not only for myself, but for the whole Pantry Family, as they’re the ones driving our business forward every day."

"And the journey doesn’t end here. We’re hungrier than ever to achieve our ultimate ambition – to become the biggest company in our industry and feed more children every day than anyone else!”

John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said: “We started The LDC Top 50 six years ago to champion the remarkable success stories of medium-sized businesses, the unsung heroes of the British economy. In business, ambition is the driving force that propels innovation, growth and success, and the winners, as well as all of those recognised in The Top 50 and Ones to Watch should be proud of their achievements."

“We’re pleased to announce Luke Consiglio of The Pantry as our Most Ambitious Business Leader for 2023. Luke is not only growing his business and investing in his team, but also helping school children across the country to understand the power of healthy eating. His goal is to be the biggest in his industry, helping to feed more children than any other company – that is an ambition worth celebrating and I’d like to congratulate him on his achievements.”