This year’s virtual version, delivered by Guildford Borough Council in partnership with long-term associates the University of Surrey and Surrey Research Park, will run from 4pmto 5pm with eminent Professor of Physics and Public Engagement in Science, Jim Al-Khalili OBE FRS set to host the ceremony.
Speaking of the Council’s emphasis on innovation in the economy and also in the delivery of Council services, Cllr Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Innovation Board at Guildford Borough Council says: “I am delighted that we are able to celebrate the third year of the Innovation Awards in partnership with the University of Surrey and our sponsors. In the current challenging economic conditions, it is a great opportunity to boost morale by highlighting the very best of innovation in the Borough. Guildford remains firmly on the map as a leading centre for technology and entrepreneurship and these awards will help us raise our profile even further.”
Applications are welcomed from companies, social enterprises, charities and individuals either based or working in the borough of Guildford in the past year, with categories such as Innovation in Healthcare, Retail, Creative Industries and Sustainability all being recognised. A new award has been added this year in response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, to recognise the tremendous efforts made over the past eight months by many local people and companies to adapt their businesses or give time to help themselves and others survive and thrive.
Caroline Fleming, Interim Co-Director Innovation Strategy and Head of Incubation and Enterprise at the University of Surrey, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Guildford Borough Council to launch the awards for 2020 and to engage Professor Al-Khalili’s support for the event. There is always a strong representation from the University as a local hotbed of innovative talent and we are privileged to have our long-standing relationship with the Borough Council and the awards themselves formalised in this joint initiative.”
Last year’s winners included ‘Shooting Star’ recipient Omar Ebeid, who developed a seamless mobile payment loyalty app rolled out locally, and who this year will, as a young entrepreneur, be part of the judging panel with an impressive line-up of local business champions including Cllr Gordon Jackson, Louise Punter, Chief Executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, and Kathy Slack OBE, Chief Executive of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Malcolm Parry, CEO of Surrey Research Park says “With such a challenging backdrop to 2020, we have seen an incredible amount of resilience, agility and collaboration demonstrated at Surrey Research Park. We look forward to everyone coming together to celebrate the innovative achievements from companies on the Park as well as throughout the business community in Guildford.”
For a full list of categories and to nominate yourself or someone else, please visit: the Surrey Research Park website.
Entries open on Sunday 1st November and close on Monday 30th November 2020.
