Jill Barker, the Canadian-born entrepreneur who left London fifteen years ago to build a life and a business in Somerset, has been named on the shortlist for the 2026 South West Leadership Awards in the Hospitality category.

The South West Leadership Awards, now in their third year and organised by TheBusinessDesk.com, celebrate the individuals who are role models within their industries and who are raising the bar for their competitors across the region. This year's shortlist was drawn from nominations across 21 categories, with judging carried out by a panel of senior regional business figures.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 23rd April at the Bristol Harbour Hotel.

Under her leadership, The Middlewick has grown from a small holiday letting business into a year-round destination employing a team of 35 Staff and drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond. The spa recently expanded with the addition of a handcrafted Shepherd's Hut sauna , made by Blackdown Shepherd Huts near Ilminster. With this new sauna Middlewick have launched the new 2 Hour Avalon Pass and a collection of spa packages and wellness classes. The café this year introduced a menu calendar structured around the eight sabbats of the pagan Wheel of the Year, reflecting Jill's commitment to genuine seasonal cooking and the unique character of Glastonbury.

"Being shortlisted genuinely means the world to me," says Jill. "But honestly, this belongs to the team. I have the most incredible people working alongside me, and everything Middlewick has become is down to them. I just had the good fortune to find this place and the right people to build it with."

The nomination speaks to a broader vision of hospitality leadership that goes well beyond running a successful business. Jill has championed local suppliers and producers throughout, sourcing from neighbouring farms, commissioning local makers and using local tradespeople.