David Mitson shortlisted for Northamptonshire Business Person of the Year

The entrepreneur behind Science Supplements and rider safety brand evoke has been recognised for his leadership, business growth and increasing international presence.

Leading equestrian entrepreneur David Mitson has been named as a finalist in the Business Person of the Year category at the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2026.

David, founder and chief executive of HLM Group, is one of four business leaders shortlisted for the award. He will compete against Matt Dann of Simply Techspace, Richard Mallard of The NX Group and Ashish Kumar of Web Alliance Limited.

Organised by Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, the awards recognise businesses and individuals making a significant contribution to the county’s economy. The Business Person of the Year category, sponsored by Kairos Consultancy and Training, celebrates leaders who have demonstrated sustainable growth, entrepreneurial ability, ambition, influence, vision and strong leadership.

The winners will be announced during a black-tie awards evening at Sywell Aerodrome on Friday, September 11.

David said: “It’s a great honour to be recognised alongside so many great entrepreneurs, and it is a moment of immense personal pride.

“However, one person does not make a legacy. Without the support of many people over many years, this would not be possible. From my family having to put up with the long hours and time away from home, to my staff who believe in our ethos and work hard to achieve great things. Every business needs great leaders, and great leaders need great people around them.”

The recognition follows a period of considerable development for the businesses within David’s portfolio, which include established equine nutrition company Science Supplements and the rapidly expanding safety brand evoke.

Science Supplements has built its position around research-led nutritional products for horses. Its previous industry recognition includes two International Innovation Awards, for Gut Balancer in 2014 and GastroKind in 2017. The company has also supported equestrian sport through partnerships encompassing grassroots championships and major international events.

David’s own involvement in horses extends beyond business. He is a keen equestrian with a particular interest in breeding and producing young sport horses, an experience that has helped shape his approach to product development and investment within the industry.

More recently, evoke has become a significant part of the group’s growth. The brand was developed following a riding accident in which David suffered a severe concussion after what appeared to be a relatively minor fall. That experience led to an investment of more than £3 million in developing a range of riding helmets and body protection.

Founded with an emphasis on combining rider safety, design and accessibility, evoke has expanded its retail presence in the UK and entered the US market. In January 2026, it became the Official Helmet of US Equestrian and an Official Partner of US Equestrian Safety Awareness Week. The agreement supported the brand’s wider launch through American retailers and marked an important step in its international development.

The company has also secured partnerships within the British equestrian industry, including becoming the Official Safety Partner of BETA International, The Pony Club and the National Equine Show.

The latest shortlist places David’s individual leadership alongside the commercial achievements of the brands he has helped develop. It also provides further recognition for an equestrian business group that is combining product development, research and international expansion from its Northamptonshire base.