TWO new judges are joining the panel to review entries to the Innovation Excellence Awards 2021.
Organised by the Stationers’ Company and open to businesses in the content and communications industries, there are seven categories encompassing: business process; communications and marketing; customer experience; product design; product performance; service design; and start-ups.
Professor Linda Drew joins this year’s judging panel, bringing expertise from the design, content, screen, and technology disciplines in the education sector. She was deputy director at the Glasgow School of Art from 2011 to 2014 and vice chancellor of Ravensbourne University of London from 2015 to 2019.
Professor Drew will be joined by another newcomer, Rt Rev Dr Stephen Platten, who brings expertise from a range of publishing roles. He is the current master at the Stationers’ Company. He was a director and trustee of Hymns Ancient and Modern, the publishers of the Church Times and owner of SCM and Canterbury Press. He has taught theology and published a number of books, including titles on church buildings.
They will work alongside the established team, which includes: Vida Barr-Jones, strategic brand growth expert and CEO of Focus7 International; Peter Day; former BBC business broadcaster; Helen Esmonde, founder of Esmonde Publishing; Jill Jones, former MD of McGraw Hill Education EMEA; Jon Kingsbury, Head of Digital Economy and Creative Industries at The Knowledge Transfer Network; Kit van Tulleken, advisor to publishing and information companies; and Tim Webb, former executive director of Picon, the trade body representing print and paper manufacturers.
Jill Jones, chairman of the Stationers’ Innovation Excellence Awards, said, “Having had a year gap in the awards, we look forward to applications from across the communication and content industries that showcase creative and practical developments. We are eager to see what innovative solutions the panel is asked to assess. The Awards are a great opportunity to show the world that enterprise has continued apace during the pandemic and that dynamic and engaging development is once again celebrated by the Stationers’ Company.”
The Innovator of the Year accolade will go to one of the seven category winners.
The awards are free to enter and companies do not need to be affiliated to the Stationers’ Company. The closing date for entries is 14 April. The awards presentation will take place on 22 June.
