Three Leonardo employees based in Yeovil are among the 30 young professionals recognised in Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Somerset Future 30 programme.
Amber Hart, Bryony Hoddinott and Edward Dawtrey, all from Leonardo in Yeovil, were selected alongside Izzie Jobbins of Yeovil Art Space and Paige Whittaker of Yeovil-based Dust Till Dawn Ltd. The list also includes representatives from businesses, charities, colleges and professional organisations across Somerset.
The chamber announced the Future 30 on 28 September 2026, describing it as a new programme designed to recognise the county’s emerging business and community leaders. It celebrates people aged under 30 who are already contributing significantly to their organisation, industry or local community and who show potential to become future leaders in Somerset.
Who has been recognised in Yeovil?
The three Leonardo nominees give the aerospace company the largest Yeovil representation on the list. Leonardo is a major local employer, and the chamber’s selection places three of its young professionals among the county’s first Future 30 cohort.
Yeovil Art Space is represented by Izzie Jobbins, while Paige Whittaker represents Dust Till Dawn Ltd. The published list identifies both organisations as Yeovil-based entries, adding creative and independent-business representation to the local names recognised.
The full 2026 Somerset Future 30 is:
- Abi Bradley, Numatic International, Chard
- Miles Broughton, Summerfield Developments, Taunton
- Phoebe Coombes, Numatic International, Chard
- Edward Dawtrey, Leonardo, Yeovil
- Polly Farey, Katie Thomson Marketing, Hambridge
- Jack Frampton, Queens College, Taunton
- Emily Gordon, Simply Made Marketing, Somerton
- Racheal Gould, Stephens Scown LLP, Taunton
- Sam Harkness, Clarke Willmott, Taunton
- Amber Hart, Leonardo, Yeovil
- Bryony Hoddinott, Leonardo, Yeovil
- Izzie Jobbins, Yeovil Art Space
- Michael Milburn, Numatic International, Chard
- Ethan Mills, Dorset and Somerset Training Providers Network, Taunton
- Alex Murphy, Young Somerset, Taunton
- Shannon Nutkins, Lendology, Bradford-on-Tone
- Kia Pearson, Stephens Scown LLP, Taunton
- Ellice Pounder, Porter Dodson, Taunton
- Lauren Whiteman, Weston College
- Ryan Scott, SBX, Weston-super-Mare
- Sam Speakman, Cardstream, Taunton
- Quentin Taschini, self-employed composer from Wells
- Josh Wedderburn, FlowsMade, Bridgwater
- Lauren Salter, Teapot Creative, Hambridge
- Paige Whittaker, Dust Till Dawn Ltd, Yeovil
- Luke Williams, AMS Nuclear Engineering Ltd, Bridgwater
- Charlie Wright, Blackdown Financial, Taunton
- Libby Young, Numatic International, Chard
How were the Future 30 chosen?
Nominations were submitted by businesses and organisations from across the county. An independent judging panel selected the final 30 from what the chamber described as a strong field of entries representing a wide range of sectors.
The panel was made up of representatives from the programme’s sponsors: Barclays, Elite Staffing Solutions, Yeovil College/NextGen, Hatched Agency and Stantec.
David Crew, managing director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “The quality of nominations received for the inaugural Somerset Future 30 was outstanding and highlighted the wealth of talent we have across Somerset.”
He added: “The individuals recognised this year have already demonstrated exceptional commitment, achievement and potential in their respective fields. They are making a positive impact within their organisations and helping to shape the future success of Somerset’s economy and communities.”
Crew also congratulated all 30 people selected and said the chamber looked forward to celebrating their achievements and sharing their stories.
When will the winners be celebrated?
The Future 30 winners will be honoured at a celebratory lunch at Somerset County Cricket Club on 27 November 2026. The event will bring together the honourees, sponsors, judges and business leaders from across the county.
Tickets can be booked through the Somerset Chamber of Commerce website via its events listings section. The announcement also positions the programme as a way of highlighting the contribution of younger professionals to Somerset’s economy and communities, including those working in Yeovil’s aerospace, arts and creative-business sectors.
