We’re really pleased for Dan and proud to see the work behind MindJam recognised. The award reflects his purpose-led approach to supporting young people with emotional and special educational needs through gaming, game design and digital skills.
Dan Clark, Founder of MindJam, has won the Highly Commended: One to Watch Award as part of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2026.
Now in its ninth year, the programme was created by leading private equity investor LDC, in partnership with The Times. 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.
The awards were presented at a celebratory event at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in London. Following a lively judging session, the category winners were selected by Carl Castledine of Away Resorts; Janette Martin of Talos360; Mark Fitzgerald of CTR Group and The Most Ambitious Business Leader of 2025; John Garner of LDC; and Kate Bassett and Bex Burn-Callander, editors of The LDC Top 50 2026.
The Ones to Watch are leaders whose achievements and ambition have already set them apart. Each has made significant progress and shown the potential to take their business even further in the years ahead.
MindJam provides one-to-one online mentoring for young people aged 6 to 25. Through gaming, game design and digital skills, sessions support young people’s emotional wellbeing and are shaped around their interests and needs.
Dan won The Highly Commended: One to Watch Award for his purpose-led approach to supporting young people with emotional and special educational needs through gaming. MindJam uses gaming, game design and digital skills as tools to help young people build confidence, develop new skills and access tailored support. Dan impressed the judges with his mission to empower young people who are struggling in traditional settings, providing a place where they can feel understood, safe and able to thrive.
Dan Clark, Founder of MindJam, said:
“I’m delighted to receive this recognition, and it means a great deal to see the work we’re doing at MindJam acknowledged in this way. MindJam has always been about creating opportunities for young people who may struggle to find their place in traditional settings, helping them feel understood, build confidence and discover what they’re capable of through their own interests and passions.
This award is also a reflection of the incredible work our mentors do every day. Their ability to build trusting relationships, meet each young person where they are and create a space where they can feel safe to be themselves is at the heart of everything we do. I’m incredibly proud of our team and what we’ve achieved together, and excited about what the future holds as we continue to reach more young people and challenge perceptions of how gaming can be used to support emotional wellbeing and development.”
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, added: “This year’s Ones to Watch have already achieved a great deal, but it is their ambition for what comes next that truly stands out. They are building exciting businesses and have demonstrated the ambition needed to thrive. I would like to congratulate them all on their success so far. We look forward to following their progress and seeing where their ambition takes them next.”
“Dan is a deserving winner of the Highly Commended: One to Watch Award. Through MindJam, he is using gaming, game design and digital skills to create an environment where young people with emotional and special educational needs can build confidence, develop new skills and feel supported. His commitment to helping young people thrive really stood out to the judges, and I’d like to congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”
Read more about the winners of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2026 here:
https://bit.ly/47pm2nR
About LDC
LDC is a trusted investment partner for ambitious management teams across the UK. It is part of Lloyds Banking Group and has partnered with hundreds of medium-sized companies across a wide range of sectors, helping them to grow and develop.
