A shortlist of 12 young licensing industry professionals have today (9 July) been confirmed as finalists for the UK Rising Star accolade at The Licensing Awards 2026, including POC’s Kathryn Brand.
The UK Rising Star is a Licensing International UK award and is presented at The Licensing Awards, which takes place on Tuesday 8 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
The award is designed to recognise excellence among junior industry professionals in the UK under the age of 35.
This year’s finalists are:
- Lucy Arguile, licensing executive, Reemsborko
- Sam Billinghurst Brown, licensing and product development manager, Retail Monster
- Kathryn Brand, editor and content manager, Products of Change
- Josephine Hodges, product developer softlines, SEGA
- Lucy Lloyd, retail sales and marketing manager, Disney
- Brittany MacPhail, design manager, Banijay Rights
- Alberto Massaro, licensing executive, Born Licensing
- Mollie Moore, senior executive, McLaren
- Russell Mountford, senior product designer and developer, Fanattik
- Emma Ritchie, EMEA senior licensing executive, BBC Studios
- Laura Jane Rock, assistant buyer, Primark
- Byron Williamson, license and marketing manager, Spike Leisurewear
“Licensing International is once again proud to support The Licensing Awards and to sponsor the Rising Star award. This event is a true celebration of creativity, innovation, and excellence across the dynamic world of licensing, and the impressive range of this year’s nominations reflects just how much our industry continues to grow,” commented Steve Manners, UK md at Licensing International.
“Huge congratulations to all of this year’s nominees – being shortlisted is a real achievement in itself and a mark of the impact you’re already having. The Rising Star nominees in particular highlight the incredible next generation of talent; bright, passionate individuals who are already making their mark on the industry. I’m genuinely excited to see who takes home the awards and, just as importantly, to reconnect with friends and colleagues at what promises to be another unforgettable evening.”
Stay tuned to LicensingSource.net to find out the finalists across all categories.
The Licensing Awards 2026 takes place on Tuesday 8 September at Grosvenor House Hotel, London
