We are proud to announce the ten individuals shortlisted for the Rising Star Champions category, sponsored by CMI Women.

These individuals will now be invited to celebrate their shortlisting alongside our sponsors, judges and guests at a celebratory reception sponsored by NewsUK on 6 June 2018.

Judging will now begin to identify the final five winners for this category. Winners will be notified by 18 June 2018 and invited to celebrate at the winners party sponsored by The Times and The Sunday Times on w/c 16 July 2018.

Please note there is no public vote of support for the champions category.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our shortlisted nominees the very best of luck in the final stages of judging.