Former TV producer Rachel Pendered co-founded Media Zoo in 2003 and has since helped it evolve into a market-leading business with three distinct divisions: digital learning, film, and PR & Communications. The business has three offices in London, one in Glasgow, one in Switzerland, one in the USA, and is poised for further international expansion.

Rachel says, "Media Zoo began with a small team of people working out of a flat in London and is now an international business. Despite everything, the company has ambitious goals, and I am extremely excited about our plans to expand our digital learning and augmented resources even further."

The LDC's Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders celebrates leaders from every corner of the country who operate across a multitude of industries, employ more than 5,250 people, and collectively contribute more than £1bn to the UK economy.

Rachel continues, "Being a part of this list amongst other inspiring leaders is truly humbling. There still aren't enough visible female entrepreneurs, and outside of business, I feel it is my duty to encourage women to be ambitious. By being on this list, I hope to inspire other future female leaders to dream big, too."

John Garner of LDC added, "The UK has a long-standing reputation for its entrepreneurial endeavour, but there has never been a more important time to recognise or back ambition in British business. The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders aims to do just that. All of the inspiring leaders featured in our Top 50 this year have driven their business forward during a period of adversity, whether by expanding internationally, delivering real innovation, showcasing resilience, or making a difference in their communities. They all deserve their place, and I look forward to seeing their continued success."

LDC is the UK's leading mid-market private equity firm. Backed by Lloyds Banking Group, LDC is committed to investing £1.2bn over the next three years to support the ambitions of management teams leading mid-market businesses across the UK.