Innovation Awards 2018 Salute Those Making Advances Within Technology and Sustainability

Published on: 5 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 5 Dec, 2018

Guildford’s Innovation Awards 2018 have honoured local businesses, organisations and individuals making dynamic advances in fields from technology to sustainability.

Hosted by Guildford Borough Council and held at the Guildhall on Monday, December 3, the awards serve as a forerunner to the council’s free science and arts festival, Innovate Guildford 2019, being held at G Live on March 23.

Winners of the Guildford Innovation Awards 2018 and members of Guildford Borough Council at the event held in the Guildhall on Monday, December 4.

The winners were:

Innovation in Retail (sponsored by Experience Guildford): SaidSo.

Sustainability Award (sponsored by Dunsfold Park): Smart Separations.

Innovation in Healthcare (sponsored by Whiteley Clinics): human, True Invivo; animal, The Pirbright Institute.

Innovation in the Voluntary Sector and Corporate Social Responsibility (sponsored by Guildford Borough Council): Streeva.

Innovation in the Creative Industries Sector (sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys): Media Molecule.

Emerging Technologies (sponsored by InterFocus): University of Surrey.

Young Business of the Year (sponsored by University of Surrey Student Enterprise): B4SH.

Young Innovator of the Year, 25 and under (sponsored by Gold-i): Ben Luxmore.

Most outstanding innovation (sponsored by Kyan): Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation in partnership with the University of Surrey.

Young Innovator of the Year, 25 and under, Ben Luxmore.

GBC’s lead councillor for innovation and transformation, Cllr Gordon Jackson, who founded the awards during his mayoral year, said: “I’m thrilled that Guildford has so many leaders of innovation in such a variety of industries. Many thanks to all of those who entered.

“The calibre and invention behind each of the entries will make a major contribution to tomorrow’s world, underlining Guildford’s position at the leading edge of innovation. I look forward with anticipation to following the inspirational future developments in all of these fields.

“Guildford is one of the most vibrant towns in the South East, featuring regularly in the top five of various economic league tables particularly around innovation, entrepreneurship, access to investment and the number of start-up businesses. Innovation and digital make ‘smart’ towns and cities which means prosperity, now and for future generations. Inspiring and exciting developments are happening in Guildford every day.”

The lead councillor for enterprise and economic development, Cllr David Bilbe added: “The economy has grown from one with a relatively high public sector and manufacturing element to one with a much higher proportion of high growth sectors such as gaming, cyber security, life sciences and telecoms. With further growth in professional services, legal, tourism, and food and drink.

“The total number of jobs in the borough stands at just over 70,000 with a total of 7,440 businesses. Productivity, often measured based on GVA [gross value added] per head, is £36,165 which is above the UK and Surrey average. Rural enterprise and communities also continue to evolve and some 25% of all local jobs are located in our rural wards.”

GBC’ managing director James Whiteman also attended the awards, along with senior business leaders, the University of Surrey, sponsors and entrants in each award category.

For more information, visit: www.guildford.gov.uk/innovationawards

For details of the free Innovate Guildford Festival, on March 23, 2019 at G Live, visit www.innovateguildford.co.uk