She didn’t merely create a platform, she created clarity for millions. Her mission has transformed an entire industry, earning her the title of Entrepreneur of the Year.
And how did she do it? By simplifying the world of financial advice.
Karen Barrett, Founder and CEO of Unbiased, has been awarded at the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, a well-deserved recognition for the woman behind the UK’s leading marketplace for financial advice.
“I’m surprised and honoured to be named the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year,” says Karen. “It’s been an incredible journey at Unbiased, and I’m proud of everything we have achieved.”
Launched in 2008, Unbiased was born out of Karen’s frustration with a system that seemed designed to confuse. When her son was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, she found herself navigating an overwhelming landscape of financial information: unclear, inaccessible, and hard to trust.
That personal experience became the catalyst for a bigger idea. What if there was a way to help people find the right financial advice quickly, clearly, and without fear?
This pivotal moment sparked her vision for Unbiased, a platform designed to remove the complexity from financial decisions and empower individuals to make confident, informed choices.
The idea was simple: cut through the noise, connect people with genuine, regulated advisers, and provide the tools to make confident financial decisions. No jargon. No scams. No time-wasters.
Yet, the path to success was far from easy. Building Unbiased wasn’t without its challenges. Karen faced the hurdles of starting a business from scratch with limited resources, scepticism from an industry slow to change, and the constant pressure to prove that her vision could succeed. However, Karen’s commitment to her mission pushed her forward.
And then came the breakthrough.
Unbiased cracked a milestone. The growth was rapid: £15 billion in new assets under management annually, a successful entry into the competitive US market and had helped more than 10 million people to find tailored financial advice. Expanding internationally and securing significant revenues, Karen transformed Unbiased into a high-growth SaaS powerhouse.
From day one, Karen embedded inclusivity into Unbiased’s DNA as a growth strategy. The business reflects the diverse audiences it serves, from the inside out, and proves that when you build with inclusion in mind, you build better.
That same clarity of vision matched with relentless execution is what earned Karen the title of Great British Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024. Standing on stage among the UK’s most inspiring founders, her win was more than a personal recognition; it was a celebration of what Unbiased stands for. A business built on purpose, a founder who challenged the status quo, and a platform changing lives, one financial decision at a time.
Reflecting on the achievement, Karen shared, “Don’t underestimate what an award like this can do for your journey.”
Today, Karen is leading Unbiased into its next chapter of global expansion. After a successful US launch, she’s now doubling down on international growth and investing in AI-powered tools to make personalised financial advice even more accessible.
But her impact goes far beyond business. Karen is a vocal champion for female founders, financial literacy, and building companies that put people before profit. Her journey from chaos to clarity isn’t over and she’s bringing thousands more along for the ride.
Her GBEA win also sends a powerful message about female leadership. In an industry still dominated by men, Karen has proven that women can build, scale, and lead with purpose without ever compromising on values or vision. She’s not just breaking barriers, she’s opening doors for the next generation.
And she’s just getting started.
Grab your tickets now for Ideas Fest and catch Karen live, sharing her journey, strategy, and insights. Click here https://ideasfest.uk/ideas-fest-2025-tickets/