Tom Ayling shortlisted for Cornwall’s 30 Under 30, 2026

We’re very proud to share that our incredibly talented UX designer, Tom Ayling, has been shortlisted for Cornwall’s 30 Under 30, class of 2026 – and if you know Tom, you’ll know this couldn’t be more deserved.

Now in its 11th year and organised by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate 30 of the Duchy’s most innovative young businesspeople. It’s a brilliant initiative that shines a light on the talent that exists right here in Cornwall – and this year’s shortlist is seriously impressive. Tom’s in excellent company.

From game mods to great UX

Tom’s relationship with design goes way back. He’s been obsessed with it since he was 14, starting out making mods for video games and never really stopping. That same curiosity – the kind that makes you pull things apart just to understand how they work – is exactly what makes him such a brilliant UX designer today.

These days, Tom channels that energy into research-led UX work that genuinely solves problems and brings people joy. He doesn’t just make things look good. He thinks deeply about the people using them, asks the right questions, and designs experiences that actually make sense.

That approach sits right at the heart of how we work at Hiyield. Human-centred design isn’t a buzzword for us – it’s how we build everything. And having someone like Tom on the team, who lives and breathes that thinking, makes us better at what we do.

We’re lucky to have him

Shortlists like this are a lovely reminder to celebrate the people around you. Tom brings real craft, genuine curiosity, and a lot of quiet dedication to everything he works on – and we’re so glad he’s part of the Hiyield team.

Fingers crossed for the finals, Tom.