Ntesports Founder Nik Turner Receives 2026 Business Leader Award
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2026 Business Leader Award
Ntesports is delighted to share that our Founder and Managing Director, Nik Turner, has received a 2026 Business Leader Award, recognising his leadership and the continued impact of Ntesports across esports, education and grassroots development.
The award represents another important milestone in the Ntesports journey and, fittingly, recognises many of the principles on which the company was founded: education, opportunity, accessibility and supporting the development of the wider esports ecosystem.
The judging panel highlighted Nik’s growing global outreach, with Ntesports’ work and partnerships now extending across the UK, Europe, North America and Africa.
While Ntesports remains firmly rooted in esports education, its international work increasingly involves sharing knowledge, developing partnerships and supporting organisations looking to build sustainable esports ecosystems within their own countries and communities.
This includes ongoing relationships and projects in the United States, work across Europe and growing involvement in Africa, where Nik has worked directly with grassroots organisations and esports federations to share experience gained from the development of esports education in the UK.
Supporting Esports From the Grassroots Up
Grassroots support was another area recognised by the judging panel.
Ntesports believes that developing a sustainable esports industry requires investment at every level. Alongside its work with schools, colleges, universities and industry, the company actively sponsors and supports grassroots organisations both in the UK and internationally.
That support extends beyond simply placing an Ntesports logo on a shirt. Where possible, the company provides mentoring, advice, introductions, resources and opportunities to help organisations develop.
For Nik, this has always been an important part of the Ntesports philosophy.
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the award, but what I’m most pleased about is what the judges chose to recognise. Education, grassroots support and creating opportunities have always been at the heart of Ntesports. We’re a relatively small business, so to see the impact of that work now reaching different parts of the world is something I’m extremely proud of. None of it happens in isolation either – I’ve been fortunate to work with some brilliant people, organisations, educators and partners along the way.”
Almost 25,000 Teaching Resource Downloads
Perhaps one of the most tangible measures of that impact can be found in education.
Teaching and learning resources developed by Ntesports are now approaching an incredible 25,000 downloads.
Those resources were originally created in response to a simple need: esports was entering education, but many teachers were being asked to deliver a completely new subject without the established banks of resources and support available in more traditional curriculum areas.
Over time, that resource library has grown significantly, supporting educators and learners in the UK and internationally.
The judging panel recognised the contribution this has made to upskilling the esports education workforce. Every download has the potential to support a teacher developing their knowledge and confidence, and in turn the students they teach.
That multiplier effect is something Ntesports is particularly proud of.
Ten Awards – But the Mission Remains the Same
The Business Leader Award also marks another significant milestone: it becomes the 10th award received by Ntesports and Nik Turner, including two Global Recognition Awards.
Awards were never the reason Ntesports was created, but they provide welcome independent recognition of a journey that began with identifying a need for greater support within esports education.
Today, Ntesports works across curriculum development, teaching resources, educator support, esports facilities, safeguarding, consultancy, broadcast, partnerships and grassroots development.
Yet the underlying philosophy remains remarkably simple:
Use our experience, knowledge and network to help others succeed.
Receiving a Business Leader Award is therefore something Nik and the wider Ntesports network can be proud of – but there is plenty more still to do.
And with new partnerships, projects and another grassroots sponsorship announcement coming very soon, the next chapter is already underway.
NIK TURNER
NTESPORTS