Iain Macphail and Kyle Smith have been shortlisted in two high-profile categories including the prestigious John Caudwell Award, the most distinguished honour presented by the awards programme.

The business leaders are also in the running as finalists in the Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category, reflecting the company’s rapid growth, commercial success and impact across the UK’s renewable energy landscape.

Known as the ‘Grammys of Entrepreneurship’, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK.

This year’s finalists include over 800 entrepreneurs from every nation and region collectively employing more than 25,000 people, generating £2.25 billion in turnover, and creating over 9,000 jobs in the year ahead.

IDM Energy, who employ 21 staff directly at their Inverness HQ along with other contractors, are pioneering new ways to deliver community-centred, sustainable infrastructure from renewables to energy storage, to drive the transition to net zero.

Co-founder Iain Macphail said: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised not once, but twice, and to be shortlisted for the John Caudwell Award is especially meaningful.

“These nominations reflect the belief, innovation and energy our team brings to rethinking the UK’s energy future. We’re building something bold, grounded in values and driven by purpose.”

“When we started IDM, it was with a belief that energy should be local, clean, and fair and that communities should have a real stake in the future. We’ve worked hard to turn that belief into a business model that’s viable, scalable, and sustainable.

“This nomination is a tribute to our incredible team, our partners, and the communities who trust us to deliver meaningful, long-term impact.

“We’re just getting started, and this recognition gives us even more momentum to grow responsibly and with purpose. It’s a recognition that goes far beyond business performance – it’s about vision, leadership, and building something that creates lasting positive change.”

Fellow co-founder Kyle Smith said: “To be shortlisted in the Scale-Up category is a proud milestone for everyone at IDM. Growth has never been our goal in itself - it’s always been about growing in the right way, with integrity, agility and real-world outcomes.

“Our projects are complex, but our mission is simple: make the energy transition faster, fairer and more effective for everyone. We’re proving that purpose and profit aren’t mutually exclusive and that the Highlands can lead the way in energy innovation.

“These awards celebrate entrepreneurship at its best with brave ideas, strong leadership and a willingness to challenge the status quo.”

IDM Energy previously won Start-up Entrepreneur for Scotland and Northern Ireland at the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2022 and 2023, with Iain picking up the Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year award last year.

IDM Energy, originally founded in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis setting its foundations for its rapid growth, was also ranked 44th in the Elite Business 100 (EB100) 2024 rankings before rising to 37th in the Elite Business 100 (EB100) 2025 rankings this year.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on Monday, 17 November 2025, at Grosvenor House, London, bringing together over 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders from across the UK.

Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “We’re so proud to reveal this year’s shortlist - a truly remarkable group of founders who are changing lives and transforming industries. Many of our finalists go on to become household names, and we can’t wait to watch what this year’s cohort achieves next.”

The awards are supported by headline sponsor Allica Bank and other national partners including ADHD 360, Caudwell Children, Channel Funnels, de Novo Solutions, EliteBusinessLive, FundOnion, Great Influence, Join Talent, Mettryx, Quidos, Randal Charitable Foundation, ScoreApp, UBS Wealth Management and Vestd.

Conrad Ford, chief product & strategy officer at Allica, said: “At Allica, we’re consistently inspired by the energy and strength of UK SMEs. 

“This year’s finalists – from early-stage start-ups to established and family businesses – represent a vital force in the British economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and making a real difference in their communities.

“We’re proud to support the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the third year in a row, recognising these outstanding business leaders who are not only demonstrating resilience in a challenging business environment but are paving the way for future entrepreneurs to follow.”