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.