News

Kai announced as 2025's Rising Star

26th April 2025

Champagne corks were popping on Friday night (25 April) when our commercial lead & data analyst Kai Henderson was announced as the Northern Star Business Awards’ Rising Star.

The judges were looking for a “future leader of tomorrow”, evidenced by their work, relationship with others and qualities that will help them flourish – and they found their Rising Star in 23-year-old Kai.

Nearly 900 guests packed out P&J Live for the glittering ceremony, hosted by BBC radio and television star Edith Bowman.

Kai said: “It’s a huge honour to have been awarded the Northern Star Award. It feels like a real achievement and makes all the work over the last couple of years worthwhile.

“I’m also really pleased for Marex as they have really invested in my success since I joined them so I feel it’s as much a recognition for them as it is in my own abilities.”

The awards – delivered by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Brodies LLP – recognise successful and growing businesses that make a positive impact on the North-east economy. Over 70 organisations from the North-east were shortlisted across 15 categories for what was billed as the biggest business celebration of the year.

Kai had been nominated alongside Erica Simona-Parfene from Shot ‘n’ Roll, Grant MacLean from AV One Solutions, Philip Stuart-Barton from Renaissance and Stephanie Gillespie from Bethan Customs Consultancy.

Other big winners on the night included STATS Group, Russell Anderson Foundation, W M Donald and Hydro Group, which claimed the Business of the Year title.

Kai is pictured here with host Edith Bowman and Prof John Skatun from award sponsors University of Aberdeen.

If you want to find out a bit more about Kai, he is of course the author of our ongoing “Coffee with Kai” series.

You can also see images from the evening here.