Chris McNamara, founder of early careers support service Pathway CTM, shortlisted for two national honours at the 2025 Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Chris McNamara, founder and CEO of social enterprise, Pathway CTM, has been shortlisted for two major national accolades at the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards: The John Caudwell Award and The Randal Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Widely regarded as the “Grammys of Entrepreneurship,” the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the UK’s most inspiring and impactful founders – those combining innovation, resilience and purpose to drive positive change.
With exceptionally high competition this year, being named a finalist in two national categories places Chris among the country’s most visionary entrepreneurs. Past winners include the founders of BrewDog, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch, and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their entrepreneurial journey by the awards.
Winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony on Monday 17th November at London’s Grosvenor House, where over 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders will come together to celebrate entrepreneurial success.
Since formally founding Pathway CTM in 2015, having worked on the business part-time for three years prior, Chris has grown it into a leading force in UK careers education.
Pathway CTM now supports over 100,000 students annually, working with more than 1,400 schools and colleges to deliver employer-led training, mentoring and real-world job opportunities. Hundreds of young people – particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds – have secured top-level apprenticeships through the programme.
Chris McNamara commented: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised in this way. When I started Pathway CTM, it was with the belief that no young person should miss out on opportunities simply because of where they’re from or what school they attend.
“I’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes when students are given the right guidance and real-world connections – they gain confidence, find direction and start to believe in their own potential.
“These nominations aren’t just about me – they’re about the mission, the team and the thousands of young people we’ve had the privilege to support. To be recognised alongside so many other brilliant entrepreneurs is really humbling, and it motivates me to keep pushing for a more inclusive, accessible future for all students.”
Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, added: “We’re so proud to reveal this year’s shortlist, a truly remarkable group of founders who are changing lives and transforming industries.
“The quality of entries gets stronger every year, and it’s clear that the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK is more alive than ever.
“Many of our finalists go on to become household names, and we can’t wait to watch what this year’s cohort achieves next.”
A former teacher and state school pupil, Chris was inspired to launch Pathway CTM after recognising a persistent gap between education and employment – particularly for students who don’t take the traditional university route. Leaving behind a secure corporate role, he self-funded the business in its early stages and built it from the ground up, driven by a belief that every young person deserves a fair chance.
Today, Pathway CTM continues to grow year on year, expanding its reach and impact through innovative digital tools such as its ‘Teacher Zone’ and a soon-to-launch ‘Learning Management System’, designed to give students on-demand access to skills development and careers education, wherever they are.
For more information about Pathway CTM, visit: www.pathwayctm.com
