Greg Freeman is a finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year

We're thrilled to announce that our founder and CEO, Greg Freeman, has been named a finalist in the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Midlands region.

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme stands as one of the most respected business awards globally, celebrating individuals who build and sustain enterprises that fundamentally change how we work. Greg's selection places him among an elite cohort of business leaders driving innovation and economic growth across the Midlands.

"When I got the call, I had to take a moment," Greg shared. "This recognition really isn’t about me. It’s truly an acknowledgement of what our entire team has built together, and the impact we're creating for our clients every day."

From market gap to market leader

Let’s take a quick journey into the past. After a successful career spanning education and data sales, Greg spotted a critical intersection between these worlds. He realised that enterprises were investing millions in data technology but failing to address the human element essential for ROI.

Data Literacy Academy was born from this insight, and under Greg's leadership, has experienced remarkable growth:

• Initial investment from Haatch enabled him to start building a team
• 260% year-on-year growth between 2023-2024
• A client roster featuring Bentley, BAE Systems, Ministry of Defence, Aer Lingus, and Grant Thornton

Impact that resonates

What sets Data Literacy Academy apart is its commitment to measuring their impact beyond vanity metrics. The EY judges recognised what Data Literacy Academy's clients already know: it’s all about the results. This is needed to achieve the lofty ambition of enabling 10,000 businesses and 10 million employees to thrive in a data-driven world by 2030.

Some milestones include:

• The landmark data literacy programme with Grant Thornton UK will set new standards for enterprise-wide transformation
• Client Coventry Building Society took home the 2024 DataIQ Award for "Best Data Academy or Skills Programme"
• Across all clients, learners show 28% average improvement in data proficiency, with 88% reporting increased confidence

There’s no “I” in team

While Greg’s up for the award, he iterates how none of it would be possible without his team. In 2022, it was just him. Next, a handful of people who believed in his mission joined. And since January 2023, Data Literacy Academy has seen a 377% employee growth, with 53% of people coming from protected backgrounds.

Scaling the team has meant more value for customers. For example the launch of their new OnDemand platform enables data literacy to reach thousands of learners faster than ever before.

What's next?

As Greg advances to the regional finals, he joins company with the Midlands' most dynamic entrepreneurs. On June 17th, all finalists will gather for a final judging day, where winners will be selected.

A retreat will also give finalists the opportunity to get to know each other better, building relationships that could last a lifetime.

For Greg, however, the focus remains steadfast: "Awards are wonderful recognition, but we've got our eyes on the horizon. The data literacy gap remains enormous, and we're just getting started on our mission."

Join us in congratulating Greg by connecting with him on LinkedIn or reaching out to our team to learn more.

‍