On Thursday 6 November, 2025, Henry Stewart, founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happy Ltd, was honored with the prestigious Founders Award from Thinkers50. The award, given to an individual who has paved the way for thought and leadership to flourish, is a testament to Stewart’s contributions to the business world.
The recipient of the Founders’ Award is personally chosen by Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove, the founders of Thinkers50. According to Crainer and Dearlove, the award aims to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the field and deserve greater attention for their work and achievements.
In their statement, Crainer and Dearlove praised Stewart’s work at Happy and his broader efforts in championing 21st century workplaces. They highlighted the considerable impact he has made in creating more fun and humane work environments, and expressed confidence that he will continue to advocate for this cause in the years to come.
Stewart, in turn, expressed his gratitude for being chosen for the award, stating that it sheds light on the hard work he has put into Happy and The Happy Manifesto over the years. He emphasized his mission to help people feel happy and empowered in the workplace and the satisfaction he has gained from seeing numerous organizations adopt the principles of The Happy Manifesto and experience success.
As the founder of Happy Ltd, Stewart has built a company that has won multiple awards for its exceptional customer service and for being one of the best places to work in the UK. He was also listed in the Guru Radar of the Thinkers 50 list, which recognizes the most influential management thinkers in the world. His books, including Relax, The Happy Manifesto, and Creating Joy at Work, have all been well-received and have further solidified his reputation as a leading business thinker.
Thinkers50, known as “The Oscars of management thinking” by the Financial Times, is a prestigious organization that recognizes and celebrates the top business and management ideas of our time. Their annual Radar list identifies emerging thinkers who have the potential to make a significant impact, while their Hall of Fame honors the legacy of thinkers whose work has had a lasting influence on the field.
With values of independence, integrity, and accessibility, Thinkers50 is highly regarded for its objective market intelligence and is considered the leading authority in management ideas.
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About Henry Stewart
Henry Stewart is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happy Ltd, originally established as Happy Computers in 1987. Inspired by Ricardo Semler’s book Maverick, Stewart has built a company that has received numerous awards for its exceptional customer service and for being one of the best places to work in the UK.
Stewart’s work has been recognized globally, with him being listed in the Guru Radar of the Thinkers 50 list of the most influential management thinkers in the world. His books, including Relax, The Happy Manifesto, and Creating Joy at Work, have all received critical acclaim and have established him as a leading business thinker.
Thinkers50
Thinkers50 is a prestigious organization that recognizes and celebrates the top business and management ideas of our time. Their annual Radar list identifies emerging thinkers with the potential to make a significant impact, while their Hall of Fame honors the legacy of thinkers whose work has had a lasting influence on the field. With values of independence, integrity, and accessibility, Thinkers50 is highly regarded for its objective market intelligence and is considered the leading authority in management ideas.
