20 | FOREVER Keele
Breaking the Mould
The success and ingenuity of organisations from across Staffordshire and beyond has been celebrated at this year ’ s Breaking the Mould awards , held in October . The awards shine a spotlight on the region ’ s innovative businesses , entrepreneurs , not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from the range of collaboration opportunities available with Keele University .
In keeping with the theme of celebrating innovation and “ breaking the mould ”, the event prides itself on moving beyond the traditional awards ceremony format by delivering a unique combination of surprise musical performances , and locally-sourced ethical food and drink , interspersed with inspiring stories of local organisations making a real difference in the area .
This year ’ s awards were hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky and covered ten wide-ranging categories , the winners of which are listed below .
• Apnea Tech , winners of the Health and Wellbeing award , sponsored by Thea Pharmaceuticals
• Velorim , winners of the Sustainable Futures award , sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
• Expert Citizens , winners of the Social Inclusion award , sponsored by Synectics Solutions
• Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust , winners of the Cultivating Talent award , sponsored by We Are Staffordshire
• River Canal Rescue , winners of the Leading Innovation award , sponsored by Staffordshire County Council
• Earth Stories Film Festival , winners of the Entrepreneurial Student of the Year award , sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
• VUIT Online , winners of the Digital Futures award , sponsored by Concentric Solutions
• TMT First , winners of the Going for Growth award , sponsored by EQUANS UK ( Highly commended – Concentric Solutions )
• SH : 24 , winners of the Keele University Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year , sponsored by Biocomposites ( Runner up – Socially Grown )
• TMT First , winners of the Collaboration of the Year award , sponsored by Charles River Laboratories .