The Media Leader announces judging panel for The Future 100 Club 2026
Full entry criteria and details on how to apply are available at https://www.adwantedevents.com/thefuture100club2026.
The Media Leader is proud to announce the judging panel for the 2026 edition of The Future 100 Club, which will select this year’s cohort from entries across the media landscape.
Now in its fifth year, The Future 100 Club recognises 100 individuals outside the C-suite each year for demonstrating disruption, inclusion, courage and excellence.
Entries for the Class of 2026 close on 25 September, with judging taking place between 28 September and 9 October ahead of the announcement of this year’s winners on 13 October.
The panel spans agencies, publishers, platforms, retail media and research, with all members being Future 100 Club alumni, bringing the perspective of past winners to the selection of the next generation
In an AI-powered world, leadership is becoming more, not less, human. The next generation of media leaders will combine technological understanding with creativity, empathy and the courage to challenge conventional thinking. Future 100 celebrates those qualities, and I’d encourage anyone with ambition and a fresh perspective to enter.”
Maria Rua Aguete, global head of media and entertainment, Omdia
Adwanted has built an incredible community over the past few years, and the Future 100 plays a pivotal role in shaping and celebrating the media industry. I look forward to seeing applications from people who are passionate about making our industry a more diverse, inclusive and positive place to work.”
Rachel Compton, marketing director, Tesco Media & Insight Platform
Every judge on this year’s panel was named in our very first Future 100 Club cohort back in 2022, so they know exactly what it takes to stand out this early in a career, because they’ve been through the process themselves. That’s what makes their judging so credible, and I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries go in front of them.”
Steve Scaffardi, global CEO, Adwanted Content
Chair of the judging panel James Longhurst, The Media Leader‘s content director, added:
“Chairing this panel is a highlight of my year and comes with a real advantage; every judge has been through this process themselves. They’ve all been recognised as Future 100 Club members, and they’ll bring that firsthand perspective to every entry they read.
“They’ll spot immediately who is actually doing things differently, and who is just making a lot of noise about it. If it’s the former, enter.”
Judges for The Future 100 Class of 2026 are:
Aletha Adu, political correspondent, The Guardian
Ben Titchener, director, sales and planning, Vevo
Bill Dennett, agency lead, independents and regions, Uber
Char Williams, senior project manager, Word on the Curb
Chris Dooley, head of sustainable media, JCDecaux UK
Chris Dunne, head of marketing, Thinkbox
Christelle Gental, independent consultant
Claire Gleeson-Landry, head of strategic partnerships, Europe, Good-Loop
Darren Thompson, vice president of sales, Adlook
Davina Barker, commercial director, Digital Cinema Media
Emily Hanson, ads marketing lead, EMEA, Uber
Emily Roberts, head of digital, Responsible Marketing Advisory
Emma Williams, business director, Medialab Group
Francesca Coia, freelancer and fractional digital consultant. (ex-Republic of Media)
Hamish Brown, digital, data and technology director, Starcom
Jack Bellamy, head of strategy and creative partnerships, VCCP Media
James Fleetham, commercial director, the Guardian
Josh Chi, managing partner, head of media and strategy, UNITE, Omnicom Media Group
Lee Mabey, consultant, formerly dentsu X
Maria Rua Aguete, global head of media and entertainment, Omdia
Michelle Milner, insight director, the7stars
Michelle Sarpong, head of activation, the7stars
Nikki Sehgal, general manager, Media For All [MEFA]
Rachel Compton, marketing director, Tesco Media & Insight Platform
Sarah Salter, vice president, global partnerships and AI innovation, WPP
Shahkeh Petros, founder and CEO, Qube OOH
Shelley Bishton, founder, Think Twice House
Simon Akers, founder, Archmon
Tashan Nicholas, founder and coach, Relyte
Entries for The Future 100 Club 2026 are open now, with single, three and five-entry packages available. Full entry criteria and details on how to apply are available at https://www.adwantedevents.com/thefuture100club2026.